Driving licenses for foreigners have been linked to the validity period of a residence permit

Decreto-Lei 114/2026, an amendment to the rules for issuing driver's licenses, has been in effect since June 8. For citizens of non-EU countries, there is an important rule in it (art. 16.°, n.° 9-10): the validity period of Portuguese rights can no longer be longer than the validity period of a residence permit.

In the new licenses, this is indicated by the restriction code 794. The licenses are valid "as long as the residence permit is valid or in the process of being extended." The law provides for a "transitional regime" — the same conditions apply to previously issued rights, even without the 794 code on plastic. The rule came into force the day after publication, without delay. The mechanism of implementation of the law in the case of previously granted rights is not yet clear