Renting a car in Portugal - Things you should know

Everything you need to know to rent and drive a car in Portugal. Includes discussion on the "Rules of the Road" in Portugal, and tips for getting a good price for your rental car.
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[@mffmart]

Updates for 2024: 1. The toll service On-Board Unit (Via Verde) is now mandatory on all new rentals from 2023 onwards, and there is an upper cap of 20€ and change per rental contract. All rental companies respect this rule, but they WILL put a hold on your card for a certain amount for tolls as well (usually around 100€), so watch out for that. 2. On highways (I wouldn't call them 'freeways' considering the fact they are mostly paid) you pay by distance; in practice, this means if you were to pay manually for them (which you probably won't, see above point 1.) you'd most often take a ticket on the way in and only pay once on your way out, and the machine would calculate your fare from your entry to your exit point when you fed it the ticket.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks for the 2024 updates

[@bit2shift]

There are right turns on red lights, but they're rather rare. I know of one in Aveiro.

[@gilbertocarmona6295]

Good to know. It's very similar here (Brazil)... I only drove automatic cars in Canada and USA.

[@fattwat1]

Not traffic circles roundabouts

[@jb894]

It's called a roundabout...

[@elenabalcaite1921]

Jorgeyy Boyy i

[@jorgemarques5626]

What is weird are the signs in the US, and the way you drive, Americans to park need two parking spots! And only know how to drive in a straight line, come visit Portugal but rent a car with driver!

[@ZoubeirsWorld]

Exactly. And Americans can not park their car backwards. They only can drive forward.

[@jeremygman2710]

Drove all over Portugal a few years ago and didn’t find it too bad, in terms of other drivers. But I’ve lived all over the world and have seen some truly horrific driving, so my perspective is probably different from the average tourist. One particular caution I would mention is that many European streets in general, and Portuguese streets in particular, can be super narrow. Évora, Manteigas, Sintra, and Coimbra all had streets I wasn’t sure I was going to make it through. Even came across a couple of parking garages with dangerously narrow passages. Just make sure you take it slow and if you’re traveling with someone, maybe that person can get out and help you make sure you’re not going to scratch or scrape the vehicle. The vehicle’s proximity sensors will be going off constantly, so aren’t always very helpful.

[@TGASASSY]

I feel like you’re Mainly comparing the driving to how it is in the USA…. Driving in Portugal is very simple and In my opinion it’s safer too. Thanks for the video! Parking Lisbon sucks and so does tax

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Sassy. Being from the USA yes. That's my frame of comparison reference

[@joaonobre9003]

The way he says "Renault" 😂😂😂

[@roknablue]

I wonder if you've ever been to Italy (; Obviously not - Portugal is a calm flow in comparison xD And roundabouts are nothing unique to Portugal, it's a world-wide (or at least European) thing xD

[@YellowProductions]

Yes... I've been to Italy... and yes... Italy is worse! Particularly Naples! :)

[@edipires15]

Tim Truman thing about Portugal and roundabouts is that they are EVERYWHERE, every 500m there’s a roundabout, at one point you’ve had enough

[@txecome]

"They drive kind of crazy"??? You were driving in Lisbon or in Morroco? You must be kind of mistaken.

[@MrMickeBerglund]

Well, driving in Portugal is pretty crazy. Portugal has the same population as Sweden but Portugal has 103% more deaths in traffic than Sweden every year.

[@occuz24]

@@MrMickeBerglund what BS are you saying? density population 23/km² against 111/km² surface of 450k km² against 95 k km².

[@hugochka]

A bit exaggerated with the “they drive like crazy” still good tips.

[@YellowProductions]

Crazy to me :)

[@henriquerodrigues8374]

If the sign says 120 km/h you can go until 240 km/h you just need to x2 what’s it says. I’m Portuguese I know what I’m saying

[@YellowProductions]

Good to know Henrique! :)

[@airgow32]

This was very useful! Is it cheaper to rent a car online before you want to leave Lisbon versus renting a car on the day you are ready to leave Lisbon?

[@YellowProductions]

Yeah. Always rent a car online beforehand. Same day rentals will be expensive

[@Joushuy]

Jesus, I'm moving to Lisbon soon (from Finland) and I just got my driver's license. I'm super scared about driving in Portugal because the traffic there is crazy (compared to Finnish traffic) and people there tend to honk a lot at each other on the road.. aaah, oh well, I guess I only learn by driving there haha

[@YellowProductions]

+Medu I'm sure in no time you'll be driving like a local! :)

[@pauloabreu2367]

Yellow Productions a bunch of bulsheets told about my country, clearly american stupidity and usual american ignorance!

[@pauloabreu2367]

Medu Medu, comnent your experience after your arrival, Our U.S friend is mistaking in to many things to be corrected. He should studdy about is on country before picking this subject.

[@conni70]

the traffic isn't bad in Portugal, but the drivers are

[@rmodesto89]

Medu it's right... Portugal is a lovely country, but unfortunately our roads aren't the safest (the numbers talk by themselves, we have a lot of deaths on the roads but no one cares) and the traffic is really horrible. But what I can say to you, is that basically you don't need a car to live in Lisbon, you have a big and complex public transport sistem here.

[@abu-vai-sunny-vai]

If I buy full insurance coverage, do I still have to pay deposit?

[@paulasimoes3380]

There are right turns on Red lights.. And it’s not a traffic circle, it’s a roundabout

[@lucianafitch]

Paula Simoes oi Paula, estou indo pra Portugal com meu marido e 3 filhos pequenos. Você acha que deveria alugar um carro ou devo andar de táxi e trem. Também queremos ir à Espanha. Você me aconselhar? Obrigada

[@manueldeoliveira9294]

In what concerns to roundabouts the UK beats Portugal hands down.

[@gregwong]

Thank you so much for this video! So helpful.

[@YellowProductions]

+gregwong my pleasure!

[@belialuedke1880]

Truly enjoyed watching the video. :D

[@davidstoeckl6439]

We're visiting Portugal for a month this summer. Thanks for your car rental tips. I'm six and a half feet tall. I know you would not be the final word on this, but any cramped mini or economic cars I should avoid, specifically for head and leg space? Obrigado.

[@YellowProductions]

Hi David. Unfortunately I haven't driven enough European automobiles to be a good source for that answer

[@mattjames1694]

Very useful. TY from a Brit (interesting this video from a US perspective)

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Matt

[@algueiraovelho]

Awesome Video. Very Informational. thank you Buddy.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Sintra!

[@rhettpeter83]

Legend very helpful thanks

[@dektarium]

Heard a lot of stories about tourists getting ripped off by car rental companies in Portugal; specifically about dealers finding any excuse to charge you extra fees for either normal wear/tear or super tiny scratches, or missing plastic moldings that may not have been there to begin with. This is done when you return the car (obviously) and they know you are on your way out of the country and probably not a position to wait for an estimate to fix the "damage" and will likely agree to whatever they demand. Any tips on this?

[@YellowProductions]

Take a video or pictures of your car when you pick it up from the rental agency so you have proof of what it looked like

[@dektarium]

Yes, thing is they put you into an uncomfortable situation because the people that ended up getting scammed did that, problem was they did not expect the rental agency to charge them for what in the US is considered normal wear and tear. I get what you're saying, I will probably have to point out even super tiny scratches in plastic parts to make sure they don't try any funny stuff. Thanks.@@YellowProductions

[@dicktracy5066]

Pro tip: refuse to pay 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@richardlongmore9301]

@@dicktracy5066 they already take a €1000-1500 deposit from your credit card so when you return the car they obviously want to find a reason to not give that back. Also they know you are on holiday and they are never going to see you again so even more incentive to try it on

[@dicktracy5066]

@@richardlongmore9301 well that’s a red flag in itself 🙂

[@isobelswan]

Traffic circles, otherwise known as roundabouts.

[@sylviekins]

I know😂😂😂. I just love videos like this- in general people from the US are so enthusiastic and helpful and I really appreciate that vibe🙏🥰

[@fazzyy8447]

This did not help my case with my fiance in my argument for us to rent a car while in Portugal but hey it was honest enough.

[@YellowProductions]

Hah. Sorry

[@benedibrava]

0:49 thats why portuguese were the navigators, rules are for who dont want to use their brains and innovations

[@MarcioPlayz11]

Recorded At Funchal

[@haydendurbin7079]

How old do you have to be to rent a car in Portugal?

[@scristina1794]

Over 18

[@thatgirlfiggy]

Do they drive on the opposite side of the road like in England or the same side as in Canada?

[@YellowProductions]

Same side as Canada

[@slyoldowl]

Same side as u.s.

[@evanR09-2]

Can I 10 year old be able to sit in front?

[@alison9719]

thank you!!!

[@adamw1944]

Excellent video. Did you recorded with smartphone camera, because at the bad light like parking garage, it all the time loos the focus.

[@YellowProductions]

+Adam Witkowski Thanks.. I use a Sony Camcorder for most of my videos..its autofocus doesnt do real well in low light conditions.. As you found out :)

[@mustaifs7374]

+Yellow Productions i would bring some gr8 gift for you😉 bribing you lolz nah

[@mustaifs7374]

+Yellow Productions nice to meet you Adam

[@iolandatrombone3671]

Do i need to add an extra insurance? Honestly scared by the companies trying to sell additional insurances just to steal money 😅😅😅

[@KurouAkuma]

There are right turns on red lights. Claiming that is silly. You need to explore the town a little better.

[@nres1]

trying to hire car in maderia ....any idea or info, will be greatly appreciated. thanks

[@LiviuHomalăulSectar]

Si in Portugal they drive like in Romania

[@Shumayal]

How much do tolls cost if u choose to pay urself? Is it cheaper?

[@joaonobre9003]

Same price

[@Seychelles-10.]

@Medu I suggest you practice in Italy and Spain.

[@letssee5213]

Renault pronounced Rehnoh

[@sonumajoka6930]

Hlo how are you

[@YellowProductions]

Good. And you?

[@sonumajoka6930]

@@YellowProductions handi language you

[@123macbookair]

Learn how to drive a manual, my gran can drive a manual

[@abrahamward5493]

I wonder how the driving compares to NY

[@YellowProductions]

More crazy taxis in NY.. But I think the driving is crazier in Portugal in general

[@marcosalvestomasini]

its called roundabouts

[@333Hedgehogs]

We drive like crazy ? YOU Are the crazy one.

[@kerstboom20000]

Thanks i will never travel to portugal

[@carolineboykins8348]

Was this”friend of yours” you? 🤣

[@sylviekins]

😂

[@MikeLyson-b9z]

Sounds like driving in Portugal just plain sucks.

[@BP-MK1]

Traffic circle 😂😂

[@abdullahfrzna5227]

Like u portugal

[@thegreat5403]

good video

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Hansel!

[@thegreat5403]

+Yellow Productions U welcome.

[@miguelbarros6315]

You're the kind of guy who complains about everything, even the car key. And yes, we have luinous signs to turn right

[@YellowProductions]

+Miguel Barros I wasn't "complaining" about the car key.. merely stating it was different and Not the type of key I've ever seen.

[@freebox1248]

Americans LOL If you like Portugal try driving in Rome . If you dont have a licence to drive a gear stick its illegal Haha.

[@crabken4969]

Free Box same in Australia