Brazilian CNH in Portugal 2026: what changes with the new decree
The Brazilian CNH will be officially recognized in Portugal in January 2026, after President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa signed the decree ratifying the mutual recognition agreement between the two countries. The document allows Brazilians to drive in Portuguese territory without having to exchange it for a Portuguese license, but with specific rules that change everything in practice.
This measure benefits a huge community. About 500,000 Brazilians currently live in Portugal, making Brazilians the country’s largest immigrant community. Those planning to move there, those already living there, and those who drive to work had previously faced legal uncertainty and high costs when trying to regularize their driver’s licenses. Now, the Brazilian driver’s license in Portugal simplifies this process, but there’s some fine print.
This guide on the Brazilian driver's license in Portugal explains in detail who is allowed to drive, in which categories, for how long, what happens after age 60, and what changes when traveling across the border to other European Union countries.
What the decree on the recognition of the Brazilian CNH in Portugal says
The agreement between Brazil and Portugal was signed in Lisbon in September 2023, but only gained legal force almost three years later. The treaty was signed in Lisbon on September 22, 2023 and approved by the Portuguese Council of Ministers on December 11, 2025, with promulgation by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, on January 7, 2026. The measure was endorsed by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro two days later. PUBLIC
In practice, the decree solves an old problem. Previously, Brazilians had to exchange their CNH for a Portuguese license within 90 days of obtaining residency, under penalty of a fine. Now, the original Brazilian document will be accepted, including its digital version. To understand how correct documentation avoids problems in an international move, The recognition of the CNH is one of the pieces that most simplifies life for newcomers.
The agreement applies to both sides. Just as Brazilian driver’s licenses are now accepted in Portugal, Portuguese nationals in Brazil can also drive with their Portuguese driver’s licenses under the same conditions, based on the principle of reciprocity.
Who can drive in Portugal with a Brazilian driver's license?
Recognition is not automatic for any type of license. It only covers the categories most used by the majority of drivers. Those who work professionally in transport or drive heavy vehicles have a different rule.
Categories covered by the decree:
- Category A (motorcycles): valid for those who drive motorcycles in Portugal
- Category B (passenger cars): valid for light cars up to 3,500 kg
- Physical and digital CNH are accepted, according to the agreement
Categories that require a Portuguese license:
- Category C (trucks and cargo vehicles over 3,500 kg)
- Category D (buses and public transport vehicles)
- Category E (combination with heavy trailer)
Anyone who drives professionally in the transport of cargo or passengers must convert their document to a Portuguese driver's license before carrying out the activity. The rule maintains control of professional qualifications in local traffic.
How long is a Brazilian driver's license valid in Portugal?
There are two main considerations regarding the validity of a Brazilian driver’s license in Portugal: the transition period for new arrivals and the age limit. Understanding these two factors helps you make better decisions about when to exchange your license.
Deadline for tourists and newcomers
Anyone entering Portugal for the first time has an initial adjustment period. During this period, a Brazilian driver's license is valid in Portugal for up to 185 days after entering the country, counted from the date of the entry stamp in the passport. This period applies to both short-term tourists and Brazilians who are in the process of obtaining residency.
These 185 days are a reasonable amount of time to sort out the installation and documentation and decide on the next step: renewing the CNH before it expires, or exchanging it for a Portuguese license if necessary.
Up to 60 years of age
Here's the most important detail of the decree. It expires at the age of 60. In other words, a Brazilian who lives in Portugal and turns 60, from the moment his license expires, will have to abide by Portuguese rules. PUBLIC
In practical terms, this means that the driver retains recognition until the next renewal after 60. When the CNH expires, they need to obtain a Portuguese license. It is not possible to renew the Brazilian CNH in Portugal, so planning for this milestone is critical.
Expired driver's license in Portugal: what the courts say
Driving with an expired license in Portugal is not the same as committing a crime. In a decision at the end of 2025, the Portuguese Supreme Court of Justice (STJ) analyzed the case of a Brazilian caught with an expired license and established case law on the subject. The decision applies to drivers under the age of 60 and whose license has been expired for less than 10 years. Business magazine
Regarding Brazilian driver's licenses in Portugal: The court ruled that an expired driver's license constitutes administrative infraction, not a crime. This changes the type of penalty: a fine instead of criminal proceedings. But it doesn't free anyone from the police approach, the seizure of the vehicle and the operational hassle of not being able to drive until it is regularized.
The practical advice still applies: never drive with an expired license in Portugal. Who needs a broader analysis of how to organize your paperwork before an international move should include the renewal of their driver's license in the checklist before boarding, to avoid the deadline expiring in the middle of the adaptation period.
Is the Brazilian driver's license valid throughout the European Union?
About the Brazilian driver's license in Portugal: This is an issue that confuses a lot of people. The agreement is bilateral, not European. It's valid between Brazil and Portugal, period. It's not an automatic passport for the rest of the bloc.
Despite the new agreement, the Brazilian CNH is not automatically accepted in all European Union countries. A similar agreement was signed between Brazil and Italy, but other countries still require specific procedures to recognize the license. Examination
About the Brazilian Driver's License in Portugal: In practice, people who live in Portugal and want to drive frequently in Spain, France, Germany, or the Netherlands face different situations in each country. Some countries accept the Brazilian driver’s license for short periods, others require an International Driving Permit, and still others require you to exchange it for a local license.
Those who travel extensively in Europe have two practical options:
- Keep your Brazilian driver's license and carry the International Driving Permit (IDP) for countries that accept
- Exchange for a Portuguese driving license, which is recognized in all the countries of the European Economic Area
About the Brazilian driver's license in Portugal: For those who have moved there permanently, the second option tends to be more practical in the medium term. The Portuguese driver's license opens the door to all of Europe.
What to do before leaving for Portugal
Brazilians who are organizing a move to Portugal need to pay attention to four fronts when it comes to their driver's license. Each one avoids a different problem down the line.
- Renew your driver's license before traveling. Don't go with a document that's close to expiring. Renewing your driver's license in Brazil is simpler and cheaper than dealing with expiration dates in Portugal.
- Check the category. If your intended professional activity in Portugal involves driving heavy vehicles, public transport or freight, changing to a Portuguese license will be mandatory. Plan costs and deadlines from Brazil.
- Consider age. Those approaching the age of 60 should assess whether it's worth going straight for a Portuguese license, avoiding two changes in a short space of time.
- Document everything. Keep a copy of your driver's license, passport and proof of entry into Portugal. G-Inter accompanies clients from Brazil, helping to organize documents and prepare for the move, but the principle applies to any well-planned move: organized documentation from Brazil is what prevents rejection, fines and delays in Portugal. Ginter
FAQ about the Brazilian CNH in Portugal in 2026
When did the Brazilian driver's license become valid in Portugal?
The presidential decree was signed on January 7, 2026 by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. Entry into force still depends on the completion of the internal procedures in both countries and the publication of complementary acts. In practice, recognition is already being applied, but it is recommended to follow official communiqués from the IMT (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes) for operational rules.
Can I use my Brazilian driver's license to work as a driver in Portugal?
Yes, but only for activities covered by categories A and B. Those who work as app drivers, delivery drivers in light vehicles or in private transportation can use their valid Brazilian driver's license. For taxi drivers, bus drivers, truck drivers and professionals who drive heavy vehicles, changing to a Portuguese license remains mandatory.
Does an expired driver's license prevent me from driving in Portugal even with the agreement?
Yes. Mutual recognition only applies to expired CNHs. Driving with an expired CNH is an administrative infraction, according to a decision by the Portuguese Supreme Court, subject to a fine and seizure of the vehicle. Even with the agreement, renewal after the deadline must be done either in Brazil or by obtaining a Portuguese license.
What happens to Brazilians over 60 who already live in Portugal?
They retain recognition of the Brazilian CNH until the next renewal. If the driver expires after the age of 60, he or she must obtain a Portuguese driving license. There is no renewal of the Brazilian CNH in Portuguese territory. This milestone must be planned in advance to avoid interruption of the right to drive.
Is the Brazilian CNH accepted in other EU countries because of the agreement?
No. The agreement is bilateral between Brazil and Portugal. To drive in Spain, France, Italy, Germany and other countries in the bloc, the rules vary: some accept temporary licenses, others require an International Driving Permit, and others ask for a local license. With the legal changes and the entry into force of the new agreement between Portugal and Brazil in February 2026, Brazilian and Portuguese driving licenses will be recognized in both countries, but the effect will not extend to the rest of the European Union. DECO PROTESTE
Do I need to take any tests or exams to use my driver's license in Portugal?
No, within categories A and B and the age limit. The CNH valid in Brazil takes effect directly, without a theoretical, practical or complementary medical exam in Portugal. The rule changes in cases of compulsory exchange (categories C, D, E and after the age of 60), where the driver enters the normal IMT assessment flow.
How do I exchange my Brazilian driver's license for the Portuguese one when I need it?
The application is made at the IMT, with the presentation of the original valid or recently expired CNH, proof of residence in Portugal, passport and identification documents. In some cases, a medical examination is required. To full guidance on the Brazilian documents that must be apostilled or translated before the exchange, The preparation of documents in Brazil speeds up the whole process in Portugal.
Conclusion
The January 2026 decree marks a turning point in the relationship between Brazil and Portugal on the subject of mobility. For decades, Brazilians who moved to Portugal had to change their licenses at short notice, with costs, exams and waiting times. Mutual recognition eliminates this friction for most cases: categories A and B, CNH on time, drivers up to 60 years old.
The fine print continues to demand attention. The age limit of 60, the obligation to change to professional categories, the expired CNH treated as an administrative infraction and the non-extension of the agreement to the rest of the European Union create a scenario in which Brazilian drivers in Portugal need to understand the rules before hitting the road.
That's how international removals work. Each document is a knot that, if poorly resolved, becomes a problem at the destination. The good news is that the driver's license, previously one of the most common pain points when arriving in Portugal, will be much simpler from 2026.
