Driving from Spain to Portugal in a hire car

Driving from Spain to Portugal in a hire car 

Last Updated: 17th Feb, 2021

Most but not all car hire companies in Spain will allow you to take a hire car from Spain into Portugal, Gibraltar, France and Andorra. However you will need to purchase additional insurance cover which costs approximately €9 per day (with a minimum of €27.23 and a maximum of €90). You can arrange this upon your arrival at the rental desk when you are picking up your car.

It is important that you notify the car rental company when you are picking up the car that you intend driving cross border from Spain into Portugal. Should these restrictions be ignored all insurance (Third Party Liability, CDW, TP, PAI), if accepted, shall be deemed, null and void. The driver will be held fully responsible in case of accidents and will bear all consequences, including the cost of repatriation of the damaged vehicle to Spain.

One way car hire from Spain to Portugal

One way car rental from Spain to Portugal can be expensive, you will save this fee if you drop the car back into Spain.

How to pay electronic tolls in Portugal

Some of the main roads in Portugal are toll roads and you will need to pay a tolls per km traveled while using them. When you hire a car in Portugal the hire car is equipped with toll payment tag in order to pay the tolls.

But what happens when you pick up the car in Spain and drive to Portugal. Spanish cars are not supplied with a toll payment tag.

When you commence your journey on a toll road in Portugal there will be a EASYtoll terminal and a machine equipped to read you car registration number, tolls are issues by reading the number plate for electronic payment later. There is no option to pay as you go.

After your car is registered , you then will be asked to enter your credit card details. Your credit card is now associated to your vehicle and will be automatically debited for each section of the road that has a toll. The associated card will remain in place for a period of 30 days or until you cancel it.

Important
When you leave Portugal or after you return your rental car you will need to contact http://www.portugaltolls.com/ and request to remove your credit card from that number plate. If you fail to do this, you will be continue to be charged each time that hire car uses a toll road in Portugal.

Alternatively you can purchase a visitors 3 day toll pass cost €21 at a service station once you cross the border.

Will I need a passport on entering Portugal by car?

Neither Spain or Portugal have border controls or passport checks for road users. However you will be asked for a passport if you check into a hotel. Passports will also be required at the airports.