Exchanging a Brazilian driving licence in Portugal, step by step

Anyone who becomes resident in Portugal holding a Brazilian driving licence needs to pay attention to the rules on recognising and exchanging that licence. The application is filed with the Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT), and the deadlines for driving on the foreign licence and for requesting the exchange run from the date residence is established. Knowing these deadlines avoids fines and situations in which the licence is no longer valid for driving.

As a rule, the application requires an identity document, a residence permit or proof of residence, the original driving licence and a medical certificate, plus other documents the IMT may request depending on the case, such as certificates issued by the Brazilian traffic authority. Documents issued in Brazil may need an apostille and, in some cases, a certified translation.

Among the most common mistakes that delay the process are applying after the deadline, a licence that has expired or is close to expiry, name discrepancies between documents and certificates without an apostille. It is also common to lack proof that the licence was obtained before residence was established, which can change how the application is assessed.

Organising the file before submitting reduces the risk of refusal and of further document requests. Because the rules and the agreements between the two countries may be updated, it is worth confirming the requirements in force at the time of the application. This article is for information only and does not replace a legal consultation.