International Driver's Licence in Portugal?/ Car REntal

We have rented through Auto Europe in several countries with good results. Full disclosure: we did not rent in Portugal. Yes, get an IDP (it’s an International Drivers Permit not a license, you still need your license). You’ll see contrary opinions, but they are wrong. Portugal requires this. Cheap and easy to obtain at AAA.

I’ve used Auto Europe for many years and have always been pleased. They use Europcar here in Portugal - at least the three times I’ve rented here.
I’ve never had anyone actually ask to see the IDP, but it’s always good to have one. And, I agree they are easy to obtain from AAA.
I do remember renting a car in Evora when they put $1500 on my credit card for security. There was no issue with it disappearing before I received the monthly statement.

janet,

First of all, there's no such thing as an "International Driver's License". As an earlier reply mentioned, it's actually an Internatonal Driver's Permit and must be used in conjunction with your home D.L. You can obtain an IDP at any AAA / CAA office for a small fee, and these are valid for one year.

AFAIK, an IDP is compulsory for driving in Portugal. This website seems to confirm that....

"If you are a citizen from the EU, your regular licence is also valid in Portugal. But if you are coming from any other non-EU country, both in Europe and abroad, your driving licence must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit, which is basically a multiple language translation of your own driving licence. Vehicle documents – you should either have both the Registration Document (a blue paper named Título de Registo de Propriedade in Portuguese) and the Vehicle Registration Certificate, known as the log book (a green one called Livrete in Portuguese), or just the all-in-one document (Documento Único Automóvel), which comprises all the necessary information about the owner and the vehicle."

Per the US State Dept. you DO NOT need an IDP for Portugal!!!!! You can drive for up to six months with a valid US drivers license.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Portugal.html

Also the main tourism site for Portugal states only a drivers license is required.

https://www.visitportugal.com/en/sobre-portugal/info-util

Europcar terms of rental in Portugal require just a drivers license unless it IS NOT in English... aka no IDP is required!!!!

https://m.europcar.com/action/termsConditionsDetails/PT

Even good ‘ol Mr. Steves says an IDP IS NOT required for Portugal.

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/transportation/rental-car-requirements

Lots of people giving bad and incorrect advice here.

Heyitsphil’s links are all to general sites and he is extrapolating. RS site, in fact, does not say you do not need an IDP for Portugal. It simply does not mention Portugal. Other links seem to be directed to EU citizens who do not need an IDP. The US State Dept, says this:

You may drive with a valid U.S. driver's license for up to six months. For international driving permits, please contact AAA or the National Auto Club.

Where does that say you don’t need an IDP??

This from the Auto Europe web site:

INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE PORTUGAL

Portugal International Driver's PermitAn international driver's license in Portugal is something that must be obtained before you travel to Portugal. Although not all countries require that foreign drivers carry this permit, Portugal is one of the few that does make this a requirement. If you plan to rent a vehicle for your travel, this permit must be shown to the rental agency. In addition, this permit must be shown to law enforcement officials should you be pulled over while you are in the country. It doesn't matter what city or state in the country you are traveling to, the fact remains the same: you need to carry the international drivers permit in Portugal.

See Janet, I told you you would get bad advice! Phil stepped up to the plate!

Terribly sorry but the answer upthread saying in strident terms that an IDP is not required in Portugal is incorrect.

Thanks all. We are Canadians and we are going to get one. Thx for help. J

I contacted the Consulate for Portugal in San Francisco. Following is their answer requiring necessity of IDP for rental cars in Portugal.

For what it's worth, I also saw that AutoEurope says IDP is required. And, AAA's information says IDP is required for Portugal. But, Portugal's representative says it is NOT required. Don't know what to tell you further except there's a lot of conflicting information out there, from supposedly professional and/or authoritative sources.

I happened to get an IDP from AAA before receiving the Consulate's answer. The IDP cost $20, plus another $US20 for photos; bring your own passport-sized photos and save the extra money, if CAA is same as AAA.

Consulado Geral de Portugal em São Francisco sfrancisco@mne.pt Apr 20 at 6:47 PM
To albertkhenning
Message body
Dear Albert,

There's no need for an international permit to drive in Portugal.
The US drivers license is good up to 3 months.

Sincerely,
Melhores cumprimentos,

CONSULATE GENERAL OF PORTUGAL
3298 Washington Street - San Francisco - CA 94115
Website: www.PortugalinSF.com / www.en.PortugalinSF.com

Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2018 11:18 AM
To: Consulado Geral de Portugal em São Francisco
Subject: International Driver’s Permit?

Hello,

Is an International Driver’s Permit required for driving in Portugal?

Thank you,

Regarding rental car costs:

I just booked a 5 passenger Renault station wagon, for three days. About 75 Euro/$98 for the total period (not per day), which includes the highest insurance package (about 8.75 Euro extra per day). There is a charge on-site for toll transponder (under 2 Euro per day). I think there's an additional charge for GPS, but we've had excellent results using our phone in Airplane mode with Location Services 'on', and then use the HereWeGo app, with the maps/info for the particular country downloaded ahead of time via WiFi. So, no need for WiFi.

So, conflicting information on the IDP in Portugal. I’d just as soon have it and not need it than have the rental agent not rent to me as his instructions are to see an IDP or be stopped by a cop who says he needs to see it. I’m not sure either would yield to the letter from the US consulate, but who knows. It’s $15 folks, not a big deal.

Given the conflicting information on this issue and the very reasonable cost for an IDP, I think it makes sense to get one "just in case".

So what is the better option:

1. Get an IDP and not need it.

2. Don't get an IDP and need it

I choose option 1. It may turn out to be a complete waste of the $20 - $40 you will have to pay. But the other option is possibly not being able to get a rental car at all or if you happen to get stopped by the police paying a large fine because you don't have it.

The timeline mentioned of how long you are allowed to drive with your own license has nothing to do with the IDP, it is the maximum you can do so before you are required to get a local license. This has zero impact on most tourists because you can't stay that long anyway without an extended stay visa of some sort.

I checked with SIXT car rental. You ONLY need an IDP if the language of your driver's license is in a language that does NOT use the Roman alphabet. For instance: Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic... basically, any language that does not uses the letters we use in our alphabet. If your license is in English, or Spanish, is going be ok without the IDP. Now, if you can get it, then get it, just for your peace of mind, but, once again, it is NOT needed if your license is in English. I rented with SIXT for 9 days in Portugal last year and even though I had the IDP, they didnt ask for it. I dont know if this is the same with other Car Rental companies, but I think it will be the same. I even rented in Croatia once (with a local Croatian company) and they didnt ask for an IDP. So far, I have used SIXT (once in Germany, once in Portugal) with no problems at all. I rented directly through their website. I dont trust consolidator deals; have seen lots of negative reviews. You can see what amount they will put on hold in their Terms, just make sure you read carefully everything.

Roberto,

Sorry, but I believe that the conclusion you have reached is incorrect.

Portugal is a signatory to the 1949 Convention, as modified in the EU for EU format licences, and as such requires an IDP in conjunction with a valid home license.

Rental car companies have their own rules, and their incentive is to rent you a car, not keep you out of trouble with the police, and as such their call centre staff member and even the car hire guy/gal behind the counter don't check an IDP usually nor even inquire if a customer has one.

It is for your dealings with the police and perhaps an other party (and their insurance) in a collision or other traffic issue.

If you want the authoritative answer ask the 1949 Convention as modified.