Explore Portugal
Portugal is a firm favourite with UK motorhomers, particularly over winter when the Algarve fills with long-stay vans escaping the British drizzle. The roads are excellent, the coast is long, and the food is superb. The one thing that catches visitors out every year is the toll system: there are two of them, and the electronic-only motorways do not accept cash. This guide covers all of it.
Last verified: 21 April 2026
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Got a question about driving, kit, or campsites in Portugal? Ask here without going through the full trip planner.
Driving rules
Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes are limited to 100 km/h on motorways and 80 km/h on rural roads.
Driving tips
- Fuel taxes are lower in Portugal than Spain, so it is usually worth filling up before you cross back. The price gap is rarely huge, but it is consistent.
- Portuguese fines for speeding and drink-driving are strictly enforced on the spot. Foreign drivers may be asked to pay before being allowed to proceed.
- Lisbon and Porto city traffic is tight and hilly. Wherever possible, pitch up on the outskirts and use the metro rather than driving a motorhome into the centre.
- The N2 (Chaves to Faro) is the Portuguese equivalent of Route 66 and a classic motorhome route. It is slow, scenic, and entirely toll-free.
- Watch for cyclists on the EN125 along the Algarve coast, particularly at dawn and dusk. The road is narrow and heavily used by touring cyclists.
Required kit
Vehicles over 3,500 kg
Larger motorhomes are charged Class 2 or Class 3 at booth motorways depending on height and axle count. The electronic-only network charges by vehicle class automatically.
Towing a caravan
Tolls and vignettes
Tolls
Portugal has two toll systems running side by side. The traditional booth motorways, including the A1 from Lisbon to Porto and the A2 down to the Algarve, take cash, card, or a Via Verde transponder. These are familiar and easy.
The electronic-only motorways (formerly known as SCUTs) are the gotcha. These include the A22 across the Algarve, and the A23, A24, and A25 in the north. They have no booths and do not accept cash. You must arrange payment before you use them, using one of three options:
- Via Verde Visitors device, rent a transponder at a border service station. Automatically covers all tolls.
- Easy Toll, register your card at a kiosk just after the border. Tolls are then billed to the card in up to five batches during your trip.
- TollCard, a prepaid card bought at service stations and post offices, then activated by SMS.
The A22 Algarve catches many first-time visitors. Fly-in cameras record your plate the moment you join the motorway, and if you have not registered, a fine letter follows you home.
Vignette
Portugal does not use a vignette. All tolls are distance-based and paid either at a booth or electronically.
Low emission zones
Foreign vehicles are subject to the same rules as Portuguese ones and should register online before entering to avoid a fine. Most modern motorhomes meet Euro 3 or better, so the restriction mainly affects older imported vans.
Supermarkets and shopping
Budget
Mid-range
Premium
Opening hours
Shopping-centre supermarkets such as Continente and Pingo Doce are usually open all day Sunday. Stand-alone branches in smaller towns often close at lunchtime on Sundays, so check ahead if you are arriving late.
Alcohol
Portuguese supermarkets stock an excellent range of port, vinho verde, and regional reds. A decent bottle of house wine costs 3-5 EUR.
Local tips
- Continente Modelo branches have fuel stations with some of the best diesel prices in the country.
- Fresh fish is cheapest at the lota (fish market) near any coastal town. Most close by 12:00.
- Pingo Doce's daily lunch menu (menu do dia) is a sit-down meal with soup, main, drink, and coffee for around 6 EUR.
- Portugal uses a tipping culture far lighter than the UK. Rounding up is standard; 10% is generous.
Motorhome LPG and gas in Portugal
Portugal has an excellent LPG network, over 500 stations, and most use the Euronozzle fitting, with some older Dish points. LPG is called GPL in Portugal. Galp, BP, Repsol, and Cepsa all sell it at most motorway service areas and at the majority of urban forecourts.
The main local bottle brands are Galp, BP, and Repsol. Exchange is usually possible at fuel stations on a deposit basis, though you will need a matching regulator pigtail.
UK Calor bottles cannot be swapped or exchanged anywhere in Europe. Either carry a 3-piece adapter kit or fit a refillable system before you leave. Read our complete guide to motorhome gas and LPG in Europe.
Motorhome electric hook-ups in Portugal
Most Portuguese campsites offer 6A to 16A hook-ups. Coastal Algarve sites often pitch 10A or 16A, which is plenty for an electric kettle, hairdryer, and fridge all running at once. Inland sites are more variable, with 6A being the common minimum.
Voltage is generally stable. Reverse polarity is less common than in France or Spain but still worth checking with a socket tester when you plug in.
Read our complete guide to motorhome electric hook-ups in Europe.
Documents you need
Your own vehicle
- Passport
- UK Photocard Driving Licence
- Vehicle Log Book (V5C)
- Insurance Certificate
- Travel Insurance Proof
Rental or hire vehicle
- VE103 Certificate
- Driving Licence Check Code
- International Driving Permit (if you still hold a paper licence)
Travelling with dogs
What to pack
- Dog lead
- Water bowl
- Vaccination records
- AHC
Food import rules
Portugal is in the EU. Meat, milk, and products containing either cannot be brought in from the UK. The main exceptions are powdered baby milk and medically prescribed pet food.
Border and entry
Most UK motorhomers enter Portugal overland from Spain, so the practical border for EES purposes is the Schengen entry point at Dover, Calais, or the Channel Tunnel. Internal Spain-Portugal crossings are not checked.
Useful links
Common questions
How do I pay electronic-only tolls in Portugal?
Electronic-only motorways (formerly called SCUTs, including the A22 across the Algarve, A23, A24, and A25) have no booths and do not accept cash. UK visitors can either rent a Via Verde Visitors transponder at a border service station, activate Easy Toll by registering a card at an arrival kiosk (billed in five batches during your trip), or buy a prepaid TollCard.
What is the difference between Via Verde and Easy Toll?
Via Verde is a transponder you stick to your windscreen that automatically pays tolls on all Portuguese motorways. Easy Toll is a cardless system where you register a payment card at a border kiosk and tolls are charged to it in up to five batches. Via Verde is simpler for long trips; Easy Toll is fine for a short run.
Are Portuguese Algarve campsites open in winter?
Yes. The Algarve is one of the most popular European winter destinations for UK motorhomers. Most of the large coastal sites between Lagos and Tavira stay open all year, although some quieter inland sites close between November and February. Book ahead for January and February.
Can I take my dog to Portugal in a motorhome?
Yes. Your dog needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination that is at least 21 days old, and an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from your vet issued within 10 days of travel. For the UK return, your vet must administer a tapeworm treatment between 24 hours and 120 hours before you arrive home.