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Driving Licence Exchange (IMT)

Swap your foreign licence for a Portuguese one — the IMT process, handled for you.

RemoteHandled online
Fixed PriceNo surprises
ProfessionalIn-House Team
VerifiedOfficial basis
  1. Assess
  2. Establish
  3. ResideYou are here
  4. Settle
  5. Long Term
  6. Belong

Overview

When you become resident in Portugal, a non-EU/EEA driving licence must be exchanged for a Portuguese one through the IMT (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes) to keep driving legally — and there is a clock. You can drive on your foreign licence only for the first 90 days after becoming resident, and the direct, no-exam exchange stays open only within two years; after that a practical exam is required. UK and other OECD / road-convention licences exchange without a driving test. We confirm your window, prepare your file, submit the exchange online and follow it through to issuance, so you never have to navigate the IMT yourself.

  • New residents who need to exchange a foreign driving licence
  • People from a country with a reciprocal agreement with Portugal (direct exchange)
  • Those who want the IMT paperwork and appointments handled for them
  • Anyone who would rather not deal with the IMT in Portuguese

What's Included

  • Confirmation of your exchange window and route (direct exchange or, rarely, exam)
  • Preparation of the IMT application and document file, and arranging your medical certificate and any translation
  • Online submission of the exchange request and follow-up with the IMT to issuance

Process & Timeline

  1. Send us your details

    Share your foreign licence, NIF and residence proof so we can check your route and requirements.

  2. We prepare your file

    We assemble the documents, arrange any required translation or medical certificate, and complete the IMT application.

  3. We submit to the IMT

    We lodge the exchange request (Troca de Título de Condução Estrangeiro) and follow up during verification.

  4. You receive your licence

    Once issued, you receive your Portuguese driving licence; we guide you on handing over the original where required.

Total TimeSince 21 January 2026 the exchange is submitted online through the IMT portal; IMT usually processes a complete application within about 30–60 days (longer if it must verify your licence with the issuing authority, or if an exam is required).

Frequently Asked Questions

Only if your country has no direct-exchange agreement with Portugal. Many countries qualify for direct exchange; we confirm your country’s status with the IMT before starting.

Yes — a medical certificate (atestado médico) is required, and a psychological assessment is also needed for some professional categories. We tell you exactly what applies to you.

Yes, but only for a limited time. From when you became resident you can drive on your foreign licence for 90 days while the exchange is lodged; after that, and up to two years, you can still exchange but should not drive on it; beyond two years a practical exam is required. We confirm exactly where you stand before starting.

Since 21 January 2026 the exchange is online-only; the IMT usually processes a complete application within about 30–60 days. We recommend applying well before the 90-day deadline that applies to most new non-EU residents.

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