- 🚘 Paying Tolls with a Rental Car in Portugal – Step-by-Step Guide
- ✅ Do You Have to Pay Tolls in Portugal When Driving a Rental Car?
- 🛣️ Types of Toll Roads in Portugal
- 🔵 1. Traditional Toll Roads (With Booths)
- 🟣 2. Electronic Toll Roads (No Booths)
- 🧾 How to Pay Tolls in a Rental Car – 3 Main Options
- ✅ Option 1: Via Verde Device (Best Choice)
- ✅ Option 2: Post-Payment at CTT or Payshops (Manual)
- ✅ Option 3: Prepaid Toll Card (Less Recommended)
- 🧭 What’s the Best Toll Payment Option for Tourists?
- 💰 How Much Do Tolls Cost in Portugal?
- 🛡️ Who Pays the Toll – Me or the Rental Company?
- 📋 Example: Driving Lisbon to Algarve in Rental Car
- ✔️ Route:
- ✔️ Toll Options:
- ✔️ Total Cost:
- 💳 Will I Need a Credit Card for Toll Charges?
- ❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- 🛫 Renting a Car at the Airport? Double Check Toll Settings
- 🧭 Final Tips for Hassle-Free Toll Travel in Portugal
🚘 Paying Tolls with a Rental Car in Portugal – Step-by-Step Guide
Planning a road trip through Portugal in a rental car? 🚗 Get ready — while the roads are modern and scenic, many of them are toll roads, and the payment system can be confusing for visitors, especially when using a rental vehicle.
In this complete 2025 guide, you’ll learn how to pay tolls in Portugal with a rental car, what system to choose, how to avoid fines, and which roads are electronic-only. Whether you’re driving the A1 between Lisbon and Porto or exploring the Algarve, this article will save you money, stress, and time.
✅ Do You Have to Pay Tolls in Portugal When Driving a Rental Car?
Yes — Portugal has an extensive network of paid highways (autoestradas). Most toll roads require either a physical toll booth payment or are 100% electronic (no booths). As a driver of a rented car, you’re still fully responsible for all tolls.
Failing to pay tolls properly may lead to:
- 💸 Fines
- 🚫 Additional rental agency fees
- ⚖️ Legal issues for unpaid electronic tolls
⚠️ Toll penalties can be €25–€50 + toll value if left unpaid.
🛣️ Types of Toll Roads in Portugal
There are two main toll systems in Portugal:
🔵 1. Traditional Toll Roads (With Booths)
- Example: A1 Lisbon–Porto, A2 Lisbon–Algarve
- Pay by cash or card at toll booths
- Prices shown before entry
- Receipts available
🟣 2. Electronic Toll Roads (No Booths)
- Example: A22 Algarve, A24, A25, A28, A29
- No toll booths — cameras scan license plate
- Must pay electronically or pre-register
- No on-site way to pay as you drive
🧭 Tourist Tip: You’ll encounter both types on a single trip. Understanding both is essential.
🧾 How to Pay Tolls in a Rental Car – 3 Main Options
✅ Option 1: Via Verde Device (Best Choice)
Via Verde is Portugal’s official electronic toll system. Most rental cars come equipped with a Via Verde transponder on the windshield.
- 🟢 Works on all toll roads (booth & electronic-only)
- 💳 Toll charges tracked automatically
- 💰 You pay after drop-off or pre-authorized deposit
- 📄 Full invoice sent by rental company
Advantages:
- No stopping at tolls
- No risk of missing electronic tolls
- Saves time on highways
🏷️ Rental companies typically charge:
- €1.50–€2.50/day for device rental
- Plus actual toll costs
Ask this at pickup:
“Is the car equipped with Via Verde?”
If yes, you’re good to go. ✅
✅ Option 2: Post-Payment at CTT or Payshops (Manual)
If your rental doesn’t have Via Verde, and you drive through electronic toll roads, you have 5 business days to pay.
How to pay:
- Go to any CTT post office or Payshop (kiosks across Portugal)
- Give the car’s license plate number
- Pay your toll balance in cash or card
Important:
💸 Don’t Overpay at the Airport
Compare real-time rental deals with no hidden fees or credit card needed.
- Only works after 2–3 days, when the toll is registered
- Not possible for foreigners to pay online
- You can’t pay directly at toll points — no booths exist
❗ You’re responsible, not the rental company. Failure = fine.
✅ Option 3: Prepaid Toll Card (Less Recommended)
TollCards are prepaid scratch cards that let you drive through electronic tolls without a Via Verde device.
- Available in €5, €10, €20, €40
- Activate online with license plate
- Balance deducted automatically
Drawbacks:
- Doesn’t work on toll roads with booths
- You must manually activate the card
- If card runs out mid-trip — you’re at risk
🚫 Most rental companies don’t recommend this option for tourists in rental vehicles.
🧭 What’s the Best Toll Payment Option for Tourists?
| Option | Works Everywhere? | Easy to Use? | Risk-Free? | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Via Verde | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best |
| CTT Payshop | ❌ Electronic only | ⚠️ Manual | ❌ Risky | ⭐⭐ Manual Backup |
| TollCard | ❌ Limited use | ❌ Complex | ❌ Risky | ⭐ Rare Cases |
✅ Verdict: Via Verde is the best way to pay tolls in a rental car in Portugal — simple, automatic, accepted everywhere.
💰 How Much Do Tolls Cost in Portugal?
Toll prices depend on road type and distance. Here are some popular routes:
| Route | Toll Cost (Car) |
|---|---|
| Lisbon → Porto (A1) | ~€23.85 |
| Lisbon → Algarve (A2) | ~€21.60 |
| Porto → Vigo, Spain (A3) | ~€11.50 |
| Faro → Lagos (A22) | ~€6.00 |
| Coimbra → Aveiro (A1) | ~€3.30 |
🧾 Toll receipts are issued with Via Verde summary after rental.
🛡️ Who Pays the Toll – Me or the Rental Company?
You do. Always.
- If you use Via Verde → tolls are billed to you at the end
- If you drive without paying electronic tolls → rental company will charge you later with added admin fee
- Admin fees can be €25–€40 per unpaid toll
Important: These tolls may be deducted from your deposit, even weeks after return.
📋 Example: Driving Lisbon to Algarve in Rental Car
Let’s say you pick up your car at Lisbon Airport, then drive to Faro.
✔️ Route:
- A2 → A22 (partial electronic)
✔️ Toll Options:
- Via Verde: Easiest – device covers entire route
- No device: You must stop at booths and pay electronic tolls later at CTT
✔️ Total Cost:
- ~€27 in tolls
- €2/day for Via Verde rental
- = ~€33 for a hassle-free drive
💳 Will I Need a Credit Card for Toll Charges?
Not necessarily. Most companies:
- Accept debit cards for pre-authorization
- Deduct tolls after the car is returned
- Send an invoice with breakdown of charges
🧾 Ask at pickup if toll charges will be automatic or manual.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Ignoring toll signs on the A22, A24, A28, etc.
- ❌ Assuming your car has Via Verde — always ask
- ❌ Not paying electronic tolls within 5 days
- ❌ Driving with no funds or no activation (TollCard)
- ❌ Returning the car without confirming your toll balance
🛫 Renting a Car at the Airport? Double Check Toll Settings
When renting a car at Lisbon, Porto, or Faro Airports, always check:
- 📍 Is Via Verde installed?
- 🧾 Will you receive a final toll invoice?
- 💳 Will tolls be deducted from your deposit or charged separately?
📌 Some low-cost companies don’t include Via Verde by default — request it at pickup.
🧭 Final Tips for Hassle-Free Toll Travel in Portugal
- ✅ Ask for Via Verde at pickup — even if it costs €2/day
- ✅ Keep track of toll routes (A22, A24, A28, A25)
- ✅ Avoid electronic-only roads if you don’t have a payment method
- ✅ Pay within 5 days if using post-pay
- ✅ Check the rental agreement for admin fees & conditions
