How to pay tolls in Portugal with a rental car (2026)
According to Infraestruturas de Portugal (PT Tolls), checked on 31 October 2026, many motorways in Portugal have electronic tolls only, with no toll booths, and rental companies must fit each car with a toll device and subscribe to a toll payment system; you can ask for the toll service when you rent the car.
Prices and rules change, and each rental company has its own toll fees. We quote the motorway operators and governments word for word, with the date we checked them; this is information, not legal advice. Before you drive, check the official page and ask the rental company how it charges you for tolls.
At a glance
| How you pay | Toll barriers on some motorways, electronic-only gantries (no booths) on others |
|---|---|
| Vignette | No: tolls are charged per trip |
| Price for a car | Varies by gantry; €0.32 fee per gantry if you pay afterwards |
| Rental cars | By law the rental company must fit a toll device; ask for the toll service |
| Checked | 31 October 2026 |
Official prices
| Item | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Paying after the trip (Portuguese number plates): administrative cost | €0.32 per gantry, up to €2.56 per payment | PT Tolls (Infraestruturas de Portugal): toll systems and how to pay |
| EasyToll (foreign number plates, bank card linked to the plate): extra cost | €0.32 per trip | PT Tolls: FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions – Tolls |
| Fine for an unpaid toll | at least five times the toll, never less than €25 | PT Tolls: FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions – Tolls |
What the official sources say
How you pay
Toll barriers where vehicles must stop. These include lanes for manual payment (collect a ticket as you enter the highway and pay the toll for your trip when you exit) and electronic lanes exclusively for customers with active payment systems.
This system consists of gateways mounted on highways that detect vehicles passing through, there being no need for physical toll booths or for vehicles to stop.
If you use these roads with a foreign-registered vehicle, you must have an activated means of payment.
Source: PT Tolls (Infraestruturas de Portugal): toll systems and how to pay (Infraestruturas de Portugal), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
EasyToll allows automatic toll payment by associating a bank card (Visa, Mastercard or Maestro) to the vehicle registration number. The tolls are debited directly from the card account, with an additional cost of €0.32 per trip. Registration is valid for 30 days and applies to all national motorways.
Source: PT Tolls: FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions – Tolls (Infraestruturas de Portugal), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Prices
A panel near each gateway shows the toll fees to be paid.
In addition to the toll charges, you will pay €0.32 for each passage, up to a maximum of €2.56 per payment.
Source: PT Tolls (Infraestruturas de Portugal): toll systems and how to pay (Infraestruturas de Portugal), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
When and where to pay
After your journey, you have 15 business days to make the payment.
Source: PT Tolls (Infraestruturas de Portugal): toll systems and how to pay (Infraestruturas de Portugal), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Under Portuguese law, post-payment is only available for vehicles with Portuguese registration plates.
Source: PT Tolls: FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions – Tolls (Infraestruturas de Portugal), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
If you do not pay
The administrative offences provided for in this law are punishable by a fine of at least five times the amount of the respective toll charge, but never less than €25, and a maximum amount corresponding to twice the minimum amount of the fine, subject to the maximum limits provided for in the General Tax Offences Regime.
Source: PT Tolls: FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions – Tolls (Infraestruturas de Portugal), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
With a rental car
Infraestruturas de Portugal says this about rental cars:
Under Decree-Law No. 84-C/2022 of 9 December, companies renting vehicles without drivers on a rent-a-car and rent-a-cargo basis must equip each vehicle in their fleet with on-board equipment and subscribe to a toll payment system.
Many companies already have vehicles equipped with electronic devices, and customers can, if they wish, contract the service when renting the vehicle for direct debit of tolls. The conditions for the provision of the service must be checked with the Rent-a-Car company that has the contract with the respective collection entity (Via Verde Portugal).
In the case of a vehicle with a Portuguese registration number, and if the customer does not opt to use an electronic device and/or the Rent-a-Car company does not offer any toll payment service, the tolls can be paid later at CTT/Payshop. Please note that it may not be possible to fully match the billing period with the vehicle rental contract period.
In the case of a vehicle with a foreign registration number, and if the customer does not opt to use an electronic device and/ or the Rent-a-Car company does not offer any toll payment service, the customer must subscribe to one of the available payment systems (more information here).
Source: PT Tolls: FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions – Tolls (Infraestruturas de Portugal), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Hire a car in Portugal
Hiring a car in Portugal? Compare rental companies and prices on DiscoverCars. Before you book, ask how each company charges you for tolls.
Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Driving in Portugal with your licence
Driving in Portugal, do you need an international driving permit? UK licence · Canadian licence · Australian licence
Taking your dog or cat? Pet rules from the UK to Portugal: animal health certificate, rabies
Other countries
Questions
How do I pay tolls in Portugal with a rental car?
Infraestruturas de Portugal says: “Under Decree-Law No. 84-C/2022 of 9 December, companies renting vehicles without drivers on a rent-a-car and rent-a-cargo basis must equip each vehicle in their fleet with on-board equipment and subscribe to a toll payment system.” “Many companies already have vehicles equipped with electronic devices, and customers can, if they wish, contract the service when renting the vehicle for direct debit of tolls. The conditions for the provision of the service must be checked with the Rent-a-Car company that has the contract with the respective collection entity (Via Verde Portugal).”
Can I pay Portuguese tolls after I drive?
Only with a Portuguese number plate. Infraestruturas de Portugal says: “After your journey, you have 15 business days to make the payment.” “In addition to the toll charges, you will pay €0.32 for each passage, up to a maximum of €2.56 per payment.” “Under Portuguese law, post-payment is only available for vehicles with Portuguese registration plates.”
What happens if I do not pay a toll in Portugal?
Infraestruturas de Portugal says: “The administrative offences provided for in this law are punishable by a fine of at least five times the amount of the respective toll charge, but never less than €25, and a maximum amount corresponding to twice the minimum amount of the fine, subject to the maximum limits provided for in the General Tax Offences Regime.”
What are electronic tolls in Portugal?
Infraestruturas de Portugal says: “This system consists of gateways mounted on highways that detect vehicles passing through, there being no need for physical toll booths or for vehicles to stop.” “A panel near each gateway shows the toll fees to be paid.”
Where does this answer come from?
From the official pages of Infraestruturas de Portugal (PT Tolls), read on 31 October 2026 and quoted word for word on this page. It is information, not legal advice.
Spotted a change? Tell us. Tolls with a rental car: all countries.