Motorcycle helmets and licences in Portugal (2026)

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026

In short: Riders and passengers of mopeds, motorcycles, tricycles and quadricycles must wear an approved helmet. The minimum age is 16 for category A1, 18 for A2 and 24 for category A, or 20 with two years on A2.

RuleWhat applies
Helmet required for the riderRiding a motorcycle; MotorcycleYes [1]
Helmet required for a passengerRiding a motorcycle; MotorcycleYes [1]
Minimum age, category A1 (light motorcycle)Riding a motorcycle; Category A1 (light motorcycle)16 years [2]
Minimum age, category A2Riding a motorcycle; Category A2 (medium motorcycle)18 years [2]
Minimum age, category A (direct access)Riding a motorcycle; Category A (unrestricted motorcycle)24 years [2]
Minimum age, category A (after two years on A2)Riding a motorcycle; Category A (unrestricted motorcycle)20 years [2]
Dipped beam or daytime running light required by dayRiding a motorcycle; Motorcycle⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • Riders and passengers of vehicles with a rigid enclosed body, or with a rigid protective structure and seat belts, are exempt. The helmet must be of an officially approved model, properly fitted and fastened. The fine is EUR 120 to 600.
  • The rule is "24 or 20 years, provided the applicant has 2 years of category A2 entitlement". For a motor tricycle over 15 kW the minimum age is 21. Learning may start up to six months before the minimum age, and under 18 the written consent of the person with parental authority is needed. The consolidated text read includes amendments up to DL 114/2026.
  • Article 61 of the Highway Code requires dipped headlights by day only in poor visibility, in signed tunnels and on reversible-direction roads. No motorcycle-specific duty to ride with lights on by day was found in the text read.

Sources

  1. Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa (Ministério Público), base de dados legislativa: DL n.º 114/94, de 3 de Maio – Código da Estrada (versão actualizada, 28.ª versão: Lei n.º 24/2025) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa (Ministério Público), base de dados legislativa: DL n.º 138/2012, de 5 de Julho – Regulamento da Habilitação Legal para Conduzir (versão actualizada, 9.ª versão: DL n.º 114/2026) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources

Compare all countries →

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