Benefícios

Changes to get your driver’s license in Portugal

Changes to obtain a Driver’s License in Portugal Anyone who intends to live in Portuguese lands and wants to drive in the country, needs to exchange their Brazilian CNH for a Driver’s License in Portugal or as it is called, Driving License.

In the first 185 days of your arrival in the country, it is still possible to drive with a Brazilian license.

However, it is good to organize yourself to make the exchange within this period of 6 months (183 days), and to speed up all your documentation.

It is very important that you check the validity of your Brazil driver’s license before moving or traveling.

Ideally, the wallet should have at least another 12 months of validity to allow time to complete the exchange process.

Driver’s License for Tourist Travel

Tourists traveling to Portugal can use the Brazilian Driver’s License (CNH) for the maximum period of stay allowed in the Schengen Area: 90 days.

So, if you intend to rent a car and tour the country, you can use your Brazilian driver’s license.

How to transfer the CNH to Portugal

For those who will live in Portugal, it is necessary to exchange the Brazilian CNH for the Portuguese Driver’s License.

To transfer some bureaucratic processes are necessary.

Get the Residence Title

The first step is to have the Portuguese Residence Title (most important document for foreigners living in Portuguese territory).

It is requested at SEF – Foreigners and Borders Services.

The foreign citizen must also have proof of residence in their name, from Portugal.

This document can be:

Property Lease Agreement in own name;
Purchase and Sale Agreement/Deed of Property in own name, or;
Certificate of Address issued by the Parish Council linked to your place of residence in Portugal.

The requirements and values ​​for issuing this Certificate vary according to each Parish Council.

You should go to the one that has jurisdiction over your place of residence for more information.

Authentication of the Driver’s License in Portugal

After that, it is necessary to go to the Consulate General of Brazil in Portugal and authenticate your Brazilian Driver’s License.

In other words, prove that it is true.

At the Brazilian Consulate you will need the following documents:

Passport (original and copy);
Driver’s License (original and copy);
Payment of € 15.00 on the spot;
Envelope paid for the Consulate to return the document authenticated by mail (if you cannot pick up the document in person).

The process is not done on time and the Consulate takes an average of five days to send the document by mail to your home, or deliver it at a counter and at the proper time for that.

In Portugal, the Brazilian Consulates are present in the cities of Lisbon, Porto and Faro.

Medical Certificate for CNH in Portugal

In addition to the documents listed above, you will also need a Medical Certificate, so that you can drive in Portugal.

The certificate must be requested from a doctor qualified to practice in Portugal, accredited for this type of service.

It may be your family doctor, or they may be indicated by the service sector at the Health Units, or by driving schools (driving schools in Portugal).

Payment of fee for Portuguese driving license

Once you have all the documents: Residence Title, Proof of the Parish Council, Consulate document and Medical Certificate, it is necessary to go to the IMT (Institute of Mobility and Transport) in your city.

The amount paid at the IMT is €30.00.

Depending on your driving category, you may be asked to take practical tests.

This will depend on how long you’ve been in Portugal, how long you’ve been without driving and your category (car, motorcycle, truck, etc).

After going to the IMT, you receive a paper that already authorizes you to drive in the country.

The ready wallet arrives at your home, and takes an average of 30 days (varies according to the city).

Your Brazilian CNH does not stay with you, it is sent by mail to the Detran in Brazil.

Validity of the Driver’s License in Portugal

After the exchange is made, the validity of the driver’s license in Portugal is valid until the age of 50.

What changed to get a driver’s license in Portugal

With the high demand for immigration and the delay in the SEF for granting authorizations and residence permits, there was a small change in this process.

Now, if your Brazilian CNH is about to expire, and you hold a Residence Visa but do not yet have a Residence Authorization, you can obtain a provisional authorization to drive.
This Authorization is valid, and may be renewed, until you obtain your Residence Permit.

There are reports of people who, even without a Residence Visa

those who are coming to be regrouped or those who are in the process of Expressing Interest – have also obtained this authorization issued by the IMT.

However, in these cases there is an exceptional concession made by the public agent, with no legal provision or internal regulations

n any case, just take your document to the IMT (valid passport with a valid Residence Visa), and the appointment made at SEF.

In addition, you must take the Brazilian CNH with you so that it is possible to prove that the document is close to expiry.

In this way, you can apply for the provisional authorization to drive in Portugal

After obtaining your Residence Permit, you must then return to exchange your Brazilian driver’s license for the Portuguese Driver’s License, according to the steps explained above. Source: Portuguese Nationality

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