Received a driving fine in Portugal? Here’s what to do

If you have received a parking ticket or a speeding fine, then you need to know what to do next.

In the Portuguese legal system, road traffic offences fall into three distinct categories:

Light offences: Resulting in a financial penalty (fine).

Serious offences: Incurring a higher fine and the loss of two points on your driving licence.

Very serious offences: These carry a heavy fine and additional sanctions, such as the loss of four points off your licence or a mandatory driving ban.

It is important to distinguish between a fine (multa) and a civil penalty (coima).

Coimas apply to administrative infractions, such as non-payment of taxes or minor traffic violations. Multas are criminal sanctions handed down by a court for more severe offences, such as driving over the legal alcohol limit.

When issued with a penalty, drivers usually have two legal routes. You can pay it immediately as a deposit (security), which preserves your right to contest the charge later. Alternatively, you can opt for voluntary payment, which typically closes the case (unless an additional sanction, like a driving ban, is involved).

For those facing steeper costs, penalties exceeding €204 can be paid in instalments.

If you do not pay on the spot, you have 48 hours to pay the amount as a security deposit. This step is essential if you intend to lodge a formal appeal.

If you receive a notification by post, the window to submit a defence is 15 working days, but the starting point depends on the delivery method.

Know your rights – and the rules

There are specific rules regarding payment of fines by post and related to the statute of limitations in Portugal (prescrição). These rules are different depending on your individual case, so seeking advice is highly recommended to avoid additional penalties which may even result in the loss of a driving licence.

For more detailed information, members are able to consult the detailed ‘Driving in Portugal’ guide on the afpop website.

afpop, the largest and longest running not-for-profit association for foreigners in Portugal, is able to advise members and provide information about getting the most out of living, visiting or working in Portugal.

If you have a specific case that requires deeper knowledge, then our team can advise you on the questions that you may need to pose to the authorities or a lawyer.

Being a member of afpop also means that you also have access to special discounts and benefits from businesses and service providers, who often offer specific services designed to meet the needs of foreign people in Portugal. We negotiate these discounts on behalf of our members – so they don’t have to!

Find out more about becoming a member of afpop and all the benefits and services available to you today by visiting www.afpop.com or calling 282 458 509.

Daisy Sampson