Car insurance and green cards in Portugal (2026)
Last reviewed: 30 October 2026
In short: Foreign cars must be insured and may be checked in a non-discriminatory way. For cars from countries in the national insurance bureaux Agreement, a valid green card or other proof of compulsory insurance issued under that country's law is accepted.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Third-party insurance compulsoryVisiting with a foreign-registered car | Yes [1] |
| Green card needed for cars from other EU statesVisiting with a foreign-registered car | No [1] |
| Green card needed for cars from the UKVisiting with a foreign-registered car | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Proof of insurance for cars from EU statesVisiting with a foreign-registered car | A valid green card, or other documents proving that compulsory motor insurance was taken out in that country under its national law and showing that the insurance is valid and effective. [1] |
| Cars from other non-EU statesVisiting with a foreign-registered car | Cars registered in countries whose national bureau has not joined the Agreement need a valid green card issued by a national bureau under the Council of Bureaux rules. Cars from countries with no bureau, or whose bureau has not joined, need border insurance valid for the stay in Portugal and covering the compulsory amount. [1] |
Notes
- Insurance checks on vehicles habitually kept in another Member State, or entering from another Member State, may only be non-discriminatory, necessary and proportionate, and part of a check not solely about insurance or of a general check that does not require stopping the vehicle (Article 81(2)).
- This is stated for vehicles habitually kept in a country whose national insurance bureau has joined the Agreement between national insurance bureaux: a valid green card or other documents proving valid compulsory insurance under that country's law are accepted.
Sources
- Autoridade de Supervisão de Seguros e Fundos de Pensões (ASF): Decreto-Lei n.º 291/2007, de 21 de agosto: Regime do sistema do seguro obrigatório de responsabilidade civil automóvel (legislação consolidada, versão à data de 20-3-2025) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.