Tolls in Portugal: How do they work and where to pay them?

There is no better feeling than driving on high-quality roads, with clear signage and lighting to ensure a safe trip, supported by service stations and restaurants that allow you to rest before hitting the road again.

However, as with everything in life, this comes with a price, and in Portugal, it is called a toll. After all, the national roads (which are toll-free) often lack the infrastructure needed for a smooth journey, especially for international travelers facing long hours behind the wheel.

But dealing with Portugal tolls can be a challenge for many who are unfamiliar with the system. Is it possible to pay tolls online in Portugal? Is there a specific toll card?

Since we want you to fully enjoy our Paradise, we know that your journey here should be as safe and comfortable as possible. That’s why, in this blog post, we will answer the main questions travelers have about Portuguese tolls.

How to pay tolls in Portugal?

There are two main methods for paying tolls on Portuguese motorways: the traditional toll system and the electronic toll system.

On the motorways, travelers will encounter toll barriers that require the vehicle to stop, either to pay manually or electronically.

1. Manual Payment: When entering the motorway, the driver collects a ticket. You must keep it with you so that, upon exiting, you can pay an amount proportional to the distance traveled, either in cash or by bank card.
2. Electronic Payment: When you reach the toll booths, you should choose the reserved Vía Verde (Green Lane). The payment will be automatically charged to your bank account via a device attached to the car’s windshield (Via T).

There are also certain motorways where there are no physical barriers, only electronic sensors that detect payment devices as you drive through.

But, how do you handle electronic payments (whether via Vía Verde or on “electronic-only” motorways) when traveling in a car with foreign license plates?

Payment methods for foreign vehicles on Portuguese motorways

If you are driving a car with foreign plates, you can set up two electronic payment methods through the Portugal Tolls website, allowing you to travel seamlessly across all national motorways.

While there are several ways to pay—such as the Portugal Toll Card—we want to highlight the two most “headache-free” options for international visitors:

Vía Verde Device – Vía Verde Visitors

With this option, drivers can purchase the Vía Verde device exclusively online, without paying any deposit or loyalty fee.

• Cost: The device costs €4.99 for the first month and €1.25 for each subsequent month.
• How it works: Toll costs are charged directly to your foreign bank account.

In other words, you can sort out your Portuguese tolls online in just a few minutes, ensuring a worry-free drive to your destination.

Interoperability: Good News for our Spanish Friends

If you are visiting us from Spain, you’ll be glad to know that all Via-T devices are accepted across the entire Portuguese motorway network. This means you can pay your tolls seamlessly, both at the reserved Via Verde lanes and on motorways with exclusively electronic payment systems.

The best part? Using your Via-T in Portugal carries no additional administrative costs. We simply recommend contacting your provider to ensure the service is active for international use before you start your journey toward Nazaré.

EasyToll: Seamless Travel

Want to cruise through Portugal without interruptions or complications? EasyToll is the perfect solution for travelers seeking speed and comfort. With this system, you simply link your credit card to your vehicle’s license plate once, and payments are automatically processed every time you pass through an electronic toll gantry.

• No need to stop: Drive freely without worrying about where or how to pay.
• Valid for 30 days: Perfect for short holidays or extended stays.
• Simple activation: Just register your card online before you set off.

If you’re looking for a “set and forget” way to handle tolls while you explore Nazaré and the hidden gems of Portugal, EasyToll is your best bet.

TollCard: Flexibility on Your Own Terms

If you prefer a flexible option without automatic charges, the TollCard is for you. This prepaid card allows you to load a fixed balance (€5, €10, €20, or €40) and pay for electronic tolls as you go. It’s the ideal choice for those who have a specific route in mind and want to keep a close eye on their travel budget.

• No subscriptions or hidden fees: Pay only for what you use.
• Easy activation: Buy your card online or at various points of sale across Portugal and activate it with a simple SMS.
• Valid for 1 year: Use it whenever you like during your stay.

If you’re driving to Nazaré and want a commitment-free way to manage your tolls, the TollCard gives you the freedom you need.

3-Day Virtual Card: The Ultimate Weekend Pass

Planning a quick getaway to Nazaré and want to forget about tolls entirely? The 3-Day Virtual Card is the best option for tourists who want to explore without limits. For a single flat rate, you can travel unrestricted on all electronic toll motorways for three consecutive days.

• Unlimited travel for 3 days: Make the most of your escape without worrying about the cost of each individual toll.
• Perfect for cars and motorbikes: Available for Class 1 and Class 2 vehicles.
• Online activation in minutes: No complicated paperwork—ready to use whenever you are.

If you’re looking for maximum convenience during your Portuguese adventure, the 3-Day Virtual Card lets you move as freely as the ocean breeze.

Multi-journey Virtual Card

If your trip to Portugal includes repeated journeys, such as transfers between the airport and your destination, the Multi-journey Virtual Card is the smartest alternative. Designed for predefined routes, especially to or from Porto and Faro airports, this card allows you to pay electronic tolls without worrying about balances or multiple activations.

• Special for recurring journeys: perfect if you are traveling from the airport to Nazaré or other cities.
• Worry-free prepay: you avoid surprise charges on your bank account.
• Easy online purchase and activation: get your card and use it as soon as you arrive in Portugal.If you are coming to Nazaré by plane and looking for a fast way to get here without interruptions, the Multi-journey Virtual Card is the most practical option.

Which toll payment method in Portugal suits you best based on your trip?

There is no single valid option for all travelers. The best method depends on how and how long you travel, and whether you use your own car or a rental. To help you decide quickly, this table summarizes the most common cases.

Trip duration	Vehicle type	Preferred payment method	Recommended method
Weekend or a few days	Own car	Automatic charge	EasyToll
Approx. one week	Own car	Prepayment	TollCard
Several weeks	Own car	Automatic charge	Vía Verde / Via-T
Any duration	Rental car	Managed automatic charge	EasyToll or rental system

If you are looking for comfort and zero stops, automatic charge systems are usually the most practical. If you prefer to control your spending from the start, prepayment options fit better. The important thing is to activate the system before entering an electronic toll motorway.

Many travelers who arrive at Nazaré tell us that choosing correctly at this point allows them to enjoy the journey with the same peace of mind with which they later enjoy rest, nature, and family time.

Can you pay the toll after stopping?

Yes, there is always a way to pay tolls in Portugal, even after the journey has been made.

If you rent a car that does not have an electronic identifier and it passes through Vía Verde toll barriers, you can pay the tolls at the post office/payment shop up to 15 business days after the date of your trip.

As you know, if the car has an electronic identifier, the vehicle will be identified automatically and the payment will be deducted from your bank account or your Via Verde prepaid card.

And if you are not subscribed to Via Verde, but to the automatic payment system of the country where you live, you can pay the tolls in Portugal on the Ascendi website within 30 business days.

Otherwise, the collection will be carried out by Foreign Collection Entities (ECE), such as EPC, ParkTrade, and ETIKA, through a notification by letter to the vehicle owner.

To avoid headaches when paying tolls on Portuguese motorways, it is better to drive on motorways with manual payment barriers whenever possible.

This way, you will not be subject to fines and you will not be surprised when you see your bank card bill at the end of the month.

New changes in the Portuguese toll system

As of January 1, 2025, Portugal has eliminated electronic tolls on several of its main motorways. This measure, approved by the Portuguese Assembly, aims to facilitate mobility between regions and reduce costs for travelers, especially those crossing from Spain.

Affected motorways include important international connections such as the A24 (Chaves – Viseu), A25 (Aveiro – Vilar Formoso), and A22 (Lagos – Castro Marim), which connect Portugal with Galicia, Salamanca, and Huelva respectively. These routes are used by thousands of drivers every year, and the elimination of tolls represents significant savings, which can reach up to 30 euros per full trip.

The motorways that are now free include:

• A4 (Porto – Amarante – Bragança)
• A13 and A13-1 (Pinhal Interior)
• A22 (Lagos – Castro Marim)
• A23 (Torres Novas – Guarda)
• A24 (Chaves – Viseu)
• A25 (Aveiro – Vilar Formoso)
• A28 (Porto – Caminha)

If you are planning a trip through Portugal, this change will allow you to move with greater freedom and without additional costs on these key routes.

Now that you know how to pay tolls in Portugal, the question remains: when are you coming with your family to visit Ohai Nazaré? Make your reservation on the website and discover our Paradise!

What type of toll will you find when traveling to Portugal by car?

If you are traveling to Portugal by car, it is useful to know that not all tolls work the same way. Understanding this difference before you leave avoids doubts, unnecessary stops, and potential unexpected charges, so that your trip starts calmly from the very first kilometer.

Barrier toll

This is the system most similar to other countries. When entering the motorway, you collect a ticket and pay when you exit, based on the distance traveled. In these stations, you will see different lanes. Some are marked as Vía Verde, reserved for vehicles with an active electronic system. If you do not have one, you must use the manual payment lanes with a card or cash. The barrier rises once the payment is made.

Exclusively electronic toll

There are no barriers or booths here. Instead, you will find metal gantries over the road, equipped with cameras and sensors that read the vehicle’s license plate or detect an electronic device. Before each gantry, there is usually a panel indicating the amount for that section. The car does not stop, but the toll does not pay itself: it is essential to have a payment method active beforehand, especially if you are driving with a foreign license plate.

Identifying these two systems is key. Many mistakes occur because the driver does not distinguish between a motorway with a barrier and one with electronic gantries until it is already too late.

Common mistakes when paying tolls in Portugal (and how to avoid them)

Although the system is simple once understood, there are mistakes that happen frequently. These are the most common ones and how you can avoid them.

Entering a Vía Verde lane without an active system

It is easy to get confused if you don’t know the signage. Before entering the motorway, make sure which lanes you can use according to your payment method.

Not keeping the EasyToll receipt

After registering the license plate, a receipt is generated. Keep it throughout the trip, in case you need to verify any charges later on.

Thinking that “it will pay itself”

On electronic tolls, if you have not activated a system beforehand, the payment is not processed automatically. It is advisable to check this point before crossing the border.

Not reviewing charges after the trip

Some amounts may take a few days to appear in the account. Checking them calmly avoids unnecessary worries weeks later.

Avoiding these mistakes does not require technical knowledge, just a bit of prior preparation. This way, the journey flows better and the arrival at the destination is experienced with the peace of mind one expects when going to disconnect.