Drink-driving limits in Portugal (2026)

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026

In short: Portugal sets the limit at 0.05% (0.5 g/l), and 0.02% (0.2 g/l) for probationary drivers and listed professional drivers. Drivers must submit to alcohol tests. From 1.2 g/l driving is a crime punishable by up to one year in prison.

RuleWhat applies
Blood alcohol limit for ordinary driversDriving after drinking alcohol0.05 % blood alcohol [1]
Lower limit for novice or young driversDriving after drinking alcohol0.02% (0.2 g/l of blood) for drivers under the probationary regime (regime probatório), which applies during the first three years of a first licence (arts 81(3), 122). [1]
Limit for professional or commercial driversDriving after drinking alcohol0.02% (0.2 g/l of blood) for drivers of emergency or urgent-service vehicles, collective transport of children and young people up to 16, taxis, TVDE, heavy passenger or goods vehicles, and dangerous goods transport. [1]
Random breath tests without suspicionDriving after drinking alcoholYes [1]
Maximum penaltiesDriving after drinking alcoholFrom 0.5 g/l (0.2 g/l for probationary and listed professional drivers): a fine of EUR 250 to 1,250 below 0.8 g/l, a serious offence with a driving ban of 1 month to 1 year and 3 licence points. From 0.8 g/l to below 1.2 g/l: a fine of EUR 500 to 2,500, a very serious offence with a driving ban of 2 months to 2 years and 5 licence points (for the reduced-limit drivers the bands are 0.2 to 0.5 g/l and 0.5 to 1.2 g/l). From 1.2 g/l it is a crime: up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to 120 days, with a driving ban of 3 months to 3 years. [1]

Notes

  • Art. 81(4) converts breath alcohol to blood alcohol at 1 mg per litre of breath to 2.3 g per litre of blood. The code text read gives the limit in g/l; 0.5 g/l is shown as 0.05%.
  • Art. 152 obliges drivers in general to take the tests; the text read does not make the test depend on suspicion. Refusal is the crime of disobedience.
  • Fines are for administrative offences under the Código da Estrada; the crime from 1.2 g/l is in art. 292 of the Código Penal. The criminal text was read on the Código Penal page (pt-drink-driving-cp).

Sources

  1. Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa (Ministério Público), consolidated legislation: DL n.º 114/94, de 03 de Maio (Código da Estrada), versão actualizada (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.