An agreement has been inked between the UK and Portugal, facilitating the mutual recognition and exchange of driving licences. His Majesty's Ambassador to Portugal, Chris Sainty, and the

Portuguese Ambassador to the UK, Nuno Brito, joined forces to sign this accord at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London.

As per the British Embassy, this agreement, once in effect, will allow individuals holding driving licences issued in the United Kingdom and Gibraltar to continue driving in Portugal on their current licence until its expiration, provided they register their Portuguese address with the licensing authority. Moreover, the agreement permits UK and Gibraltar licence holders to exchange their licences for Portuguese equivalents without the need to undergo a theory or practical test. Provisions are also made for the exchange of expired licences, provided the licence has not been expired for more than 2 years before the exchange, and for lost and stolen licences, subject to domestic procedures.

This new agreement builds upon existing arrangements, ensuring consistent and equal treatment for all UK licence holders and those issued in Gibraltar. The agreement follows a reciprocal framework, with Portuguese licences recognized for driving in the UK and Gibraltar, and they can be exchanged without a test if the holder becomes a resident.

The agreement will now undergo the ratification process in both the UK and Portugal, with the aim of taking effect in early 2024.

British Ambassador to Portugal, Chris Sainty, expressed his delight, stating, "I am delighted that we have reached an agreement with Portugal that will mean UK licence holders resident here can use their UK licence for the duration of its validity and, if and when necessary, exchange it for a Portuguese one without needing to take any driving test. This allows a level playing field for all UK and Gibraltar licence holders to continue driving lawfully and guarantees recognition and exchange rights for all."

This agreement, resulting from extensive technical negotiations between London and Lisbon, underscores the dedication of the Portuguese Government and the Institute of Mobility and Transport (IMT) to simplifying driving requirements for UK and Portuguese licence holders. It highlights the shared commitment to the deep and enduring people-to-people connections between the two nations.

Efforts are now underway to swiftly bring the agreement into effect, replacing the existing interim arrangements. Further updates will be provided through the Living in Portugal Guide on the GOV.UK website and the Embassy's social media channels. Photo by PG 123, Wikimedia commons.