In short: In Portugal, motorway tolls are charged based on distance traveled and vehicle class, either manually (with a ticket taken at entry and payment at exit, in cash or by card) or electronically. As of January 1, 2025, the former SCUT motorways (A4, A13, A22, A23, A24, A25, A28) became toll-free, and as of January 1, 2026, rates on toll motorways rose by an average of 2.29% — Lisbon–Porto on the A1 costs €25.05, and Lisbon–Algarve on the A2 costs €23.80 (class 1). For foreign-registered vehicles there are 3 electronic payment systems: EasyToll, TOLLCard, and Via Verde Go subscriptions, with Via Verde being the only one valid on all toll motorways.
If you need to travel to Portugal in 2026, you should set off well informed about Portugal’s motorway tolls and the system the Portuguese use to collect them.
Portugal motorway tolls in 2026: what has changed
The most important recent change: as of January 1, 2025, Portugal completely abolished tolls on the former SCUT motorways for all vehicle classes. The motorways that became toll-free are:
- A4 (Transmontana, including the Marão tunnel)
- A13 and A13-1 (Pinhal Interior)
- A22 (Via do Infante, Algarve)
- A23 (Beira Interior)
- A24 (Interior Norte)
- A25 (Beiras Litoral e Alta, the main route from Vilar Formoso)
- A28 (Litoral Norte, the Esposende–Antas and Neiva–Darque sections)
Motorways in the concession network remain tolled, including the A1 (Lisbon–Porto), A2 (Lisbon–Algarve), A3, A5, A6, A9, A12, A14, and A17, mostly operated by Brisa.
As of January 1, 2026, rates on toll motorways were raised by an average of 2,29%. On the Brisa network, however, about 57% of rates remained unchanged from 2025. As a benchmark, the full Lisbon–Porto route on the A1 costs €25.05 (class 1, +€0.45 compared to 2025), and Lisbon–Algarve on the A2 costs €23.80 (+€0.50).
Also since 2025, the TollService system (prepaid 3-day tickets) no longer appears in the official offer for visitors, leaving EasyToll, TOLLCard, and Via Verde subscriptions as the remaining options.
Especially if you are a haulier, you need to pay attention to the electronic payment systems installed in your vehicle, because each motorway has its own dedicated system, which doesn’t always match the others.
In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the motorway toll payment system in Portugal and how the Portugal vignette system works.
Ways to pay motorway tolls in Portugal
The motorway toll system in Portugal has 2 methods: manual and electronic.
It’s important to know that each motorway has a single payment system, so on motorways with manual payment, you will not be able to pay electronically. Likewise, on motorways with electronic payment, you will not be able to pay manually.
The good news is that the system has become considerably simpler in recent years: as of January 1, 2025, the former SCUT motorways with electronic-only tolling became toll-free, and for foreign-registered vehicles, 3 main payment systems remain. The only one valid on all toll motorways is Via Verde.
We’ll cover all of these below.
Manual motorway toll payment in Portugal
The manual motorway toll payment system in Portugal is a traditional one. When you enter the motorway, you take a ticket, and when you exit the section you’ve traveled, you pay the corresponding Portugal motorway toll based on your vehicle class and the distance traveled (details recorded on the ticket).
Attention! At manual toll booths, you can pay in cash or by bank cardwhen you exit the section traveled.
Electronic systems for paying motorway tolls in Portugal
As for electronic payment systems, the driver of a foreign-registered vehicle can use one of the 3 Portugal motorway toll payment methods currently available:
- EASYToll
EASYToll is an electronic motorway toll payment system designed specifically for tourists.
It works by linking your credit card (Mastercard or Visa) to the vehicle’s license plate number. The driver can pay the toll without leaving the vehicle by inserting the credit card into the payment terminal.
Tolls are charged directly to the account linked to the card. The sign-up fee is €1, and an administrative fee of €0.32 is charged for each passage. The service is valid for 30 days from activation. The driver can correct the license plate number or cancel the service on the official PT Tolls portal.
- TOLLCard
TOLLCard is a motorway toll payment system activated by SMS, with a fixed amount that is used up according to the vehicle’s travel.
It is valid for one year from activation. Prepaid cards are available in amounts of €5, €10, €20, or €40, with a €1 activation fee and a €0.32 administrative fee for each passage.
- Via Verde (Go Toll plans)
The former temporary device rental service “Via Verde Visitors” (with a refundable deposit) has been replaced by flexible Via Verde Go subscriptions, which are activated online with no minimum contract term.
The Via Verde Go Toll plan costs €0.77/month plus a €0.32 administrative fee per transaction, requires no physical device, and can be used immediately after registration.
The Via Verde Go Toll & Beyond costs €1.99/month (billed only in months when it is used), includes an on-board device, and has no administrative fees per passage.
In both cases, the toll is calculated based on usage and charged to the bank card linked to the account. Via Verde devices are accepted on all toll motorways in Portugal.
To learn more about these services, visit the PT Tolls portal OR Via Verde Visitors.
Vehicle classes
To place your vehicle in one of the classes set by the Portuguese authorities for motorway tolls in Portugal, see how vehicles are classified here:
| Class 1 | All vehicles, with or without a trailer, with a height of less than 1.10 m at the first axle. The number of axles is not taken into account in this class. |
| Class 2 | All vehicles (without a trailer) with two axles and a height of 1.10 m or more, measured at the first axle. |
| Class 3 | All vehicles with three axles (including the trailer) and a height of 1.10 m or more, measured at the first axle. |
| Class 4 | All vehicles with four or more axles (including the trailer) and a height of 1.10 m or more, measured at the first axle. |
| Class 5 | All motorcycles equipped with the ViaVerde Box device (class 1). Motorcycles equipped with the ViaVerde Box device (category 1) can pay a lower toll. |
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Frequently asked questions
Which motorways in Portugal are toll-free?
As of January 1, 2025, Portugal completely abolished tolls on the former SCUT motorways for all vehicle classes: A4 (Transmontana, including the Marão tunnel), A13 and A13-1 (Pinhal Interior), A22 (Via do Infante, Algarve), A23 (Beira Interior), A24 (Interior Norte), A25 (Beiras Litoral e Alta), and A28 (the Esposende–Antas and Neiva–Darque sections). Motorways in the concession network remain tolled, including the A1, A2, A3, A5, A6, A9, A12, A14, and A17.
How much is the Lisbon–Porto motorway in 2026?
The full Lisbon–Porto route on the A1 costs €25.05 for class 1, €0.45 more than in 2025. For comparison, the Lisbon–Algarve route on the A2 costs €23.80 (+€0.50 compared to 2025).
How do I pay motorway tolls in Portugal as a foreign driver?
For foreign-registered vehicles there are 3 electronic payment systems: EasyToll (you link your Visa or Mastercard to your license plate number), TOLLCard (a prepaid card activated by SMS), and Via Verde Go subscriptions. On motorways with manual tolling, you take a ticket at entry and pay at exit, in cash or by bank card.
How much does EasyToll cost in Portugal?
EasyToll has a €1 sign-up fee and a €0.32 administrative fee for each passage, with tolls charged directly to the Mastercard or Visa card linked to the license plate number. The service is valid for 30 days from activation.
What is Via Verde and on which motorways does it work?
Via Verde is the only payment system accepted on all toll motorways in Portugal. The Via Verde Go Toll plan costs €0.77/month plus €0.32 per transaction and requires no physical device, while the Go Toll & Beyond plan costs €1.99/month (billed only in months when it is used), includes an on-board device, and has no administrative fees per passage.
Did motorway tolls in Portugal go up in 2026?
Yes, as of January 1, 2026, rates on toll motorways were raised by an average of 2.29%. On the Brisa network, however, about 57% of rates remained unchanged from 2025.
