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Car hire in Portugal
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Driving in Portugal on an Australian licence
International Driving Permit rules and car hire for Australians.
Yes - Australians need an International Driving Permit for Portugal.
Portugal requires an International Driving Permit alongside your Australian licence. Get it from your state motoring club before you leave.
Drives on the rightOpposite to Australia
Minimum age 18For most hire companies
$40-$85Typical daily hire
IDP required1949 Geneva Convention
Is hiring a car in Portugal worth it?
Worth it for the Algarve, the Douro Valley and Alentejo. Not for Lisbon or Porto themselves.
Typical daily hire runs $40-$85.
Where to hire a car in Portugal
Prices are indicative, shown in AUD and refreshed from provider APIs where available. Always confirm the final price on the provider's site - it is the price that applies. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never changes what you pay. A row labelled "Featured partner" holds a paid position at the top of the table. Partners are listed before providers who pay us nothing, as our terms set out; sorting by price ignores all of that and orders on the number alone. How we make money.
What Australian drivers need to know in Portugal
- Electronic-only tolls on several motorways need a transponder - ask the hire company to fit one or you will get fines in the post months later.
- Lisbon and Porto old-town streets are extremely narrow and steep; park outside and walk.
- Rural roads are good but signposting is sparse - download offline maps.
- Drink-driving limit is 0.05, the same as Australia, and enforcement is common at weekends.
Driving without the permit here means driving uninsured. Australian policies exclude claims from driving without a valid licence for that vehicle in that country, and in Portugal the International Driving Permit is part of being validly licensed.
You can only get an International Driving Permit in Australia, before you fly - the state motoring clubs issue them for about $49 and it takes a fortnight to be safe. How to get one, and where it works.
More Portugal essentials
Portugal visa and entry rules
Passport, visa, arrival cards and customs rules for Australian passport holders.
Flights to Portugal
Search fares from Australia, then sort the rest of the trip.
Portugal eSIM plans
Instant data, no physical SIM required.
Portugal travel insurance
Medical, cancellation and luggage cover for Australian travellers.
Portugal money and cards
Cards, cash and FX fees for Australian travellers.
Portugal airport transfers
Trains, buses, private transfers and taxis compared.
Portugal travel essentials
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Things to do in Portugal
Attractions, tours and passes worth booking ahead.
Further reading: International Driving Permit: which countries Australians need one for
How these comparisons are made
Licence and permit rules come from the destination's road authority and the Australian motoring clubs that issue International Driving Permits, and each page states whether an IDP is legally required, required in practice by hire companies, or genuinely not needed - three different situations most sites blur into one. Read the full editorial policy.
Portugal driving FAQs
Do I need an International Driving Permit in Portugal?
Yes. Portugal requires foreign drivers to carry a 1949 Geneva Convention International Driving Permit with their Australian licence. Apply through your state motoring club before leaving Australia.
Planning Portugal?
We will send you the Portugal guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.