Driving ban – Portugal 2025

Portugal is not one of the countries that impose general driving bans on all heavy goods vehicles at weekends and on public holidays.

Truck bans are only in place for the transport of dangerous goods and are intended to ensure road safety, especially at critical infrastructure points such as tunnels, bridges and entrances to large urban areas.

Importantly, Portuguese regulations do not restrict the movement of ordinary trucks over 3.5 tonnes, but drivers and transport companies must carefully check which routes are subject to ADR bans.

In the following article, you will find up-to-date information on driving bans for 2025, broken down by location and day of the week, as well as how to obtain a special permit when necessary.

When are truck driving bans in force in Portugal?

Traffic bans in Portugal only apply to trucks with a GVW of over 3.5 tonnes carrying dangerous goods.

Importantly, these restrictions are not nationwide, but are limited to specific routes and days of the week, as well as periods of the year when traffic increases. In practice, drivers should pay particular attention to the following cases.

Driving ban (Tagus Bridge – Ponte 25 de Abril)

One of the key points affected by restrictions in Portugal is the famous 25 de Abril Bridge in Lisbon.

Vehicles carrying dangerous goods (ADR) are prohibited from driving here every day, including Sundays and public holidays. The restrictions apply at specific times – from 5:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. the following day.

Due to the specific nature of the bridge and the high volume of traffic in the capital, the regulations have been introduced to improve safety for both drivers and residents.

Road tunnels on the A23 motorway (all year round)

Road tunnels on the A23 motorway are also subject to year-round restrictions for ADR transport.

The ban applies to the following tunnels:

• Barracao (Guarda Sul exit and Benespera exit),
• Ramela (Guarda Sul exit and Benespera exit),
• Gardunha (Fundao Sul exit and Castelo Novo exit).

The ban is in force 24 hours a day in both directions.

Mandatory exits for vehicles covered by the ban are clearly marked 1,500 metres in advance to allow them to leave the restricted section safely.

Access roads to Lisbon and Porto – traffic restrictions

Separate restrictions also apply on access roads to Portugal’s two largest cities, Lisbon and Porto.

Every Monday (except July and August), between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., there is a ban on ADR vehicles on key sections of motorways and access roads.

The restrictions include sections of the following roads: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A8, IC1, IC19, EN6, EN10, EN13, EN105, EN209 and EN222.

Main national roads – Fridays, Sundays, public holidays and the day before public holidays

On selected sections of Portuguese national roads, driving is prohibited on Fridays, Sundays, public holidays and the day before these holidays.

Temporary traffic restrictions have been introduced there for vehicles transporting dangerous goods. On such days, the ban is in force from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

These restrictions apply to the following routes, among others: IC1, IC2, IC4, EN1, EN6 (Lisbon – Cascais), EN10, EN13, EN14, EN15, EN101, EN105, EN125, EN209 and EN222.

Public holidays with truck traffic restrictions in Portugal (2025)

Below you will find a list of Portuguese public holidays during which restrictions on ADR transport apply on the sections of certain routes indicated in the above part of the article.

Date	Public holiday
1 January	New Year’s Day
18 April	Good Friday
20 April	Easter Sunday
25 April	Liberation Day
1 May	Labour Day
10 June	Portugal Day
19 June	Corpus Christi
15 August	Assumption
5 October	Portuguese Republic Day
1 November	All Saints’ Day
1 December	Independence Day
8 December	Immaculate Conception
25 December	Christmas

Planning routes through Portugal

The regulations on truck traffic restrictions in Portugal are less stringent than in many other EU countries, but carriers should be aware of local bans on ADR transport and specific restrictions on bridges, tunnels and key access routes to Lisbon and Porto.

To avoid problems with unexpected stops and penalties, it is worth planning your route in advance, especially when transporting dangerous goods.

To do this, it is worth using tools such as HOGS Maps, which make it easier to plan a safe and compliant journey.

With HOGS Maps, you can:

✅ quickly check current truck traffic restrictions in Europe (including Portugal),

✅ plan your route taking into account local bans and alternative routes,

✅ optimise costs and travel time,

✅ reduce the risk of unexpected delays and administrative penalties.

➡ Try HOGS Maps for 14 days free of charge!

Exceptions to truck traffic restrictions in Portugal

Traffic restrictions on ADR transport in Portugal do not apply to all types of transport.

The legislator has provided for a number of exceptions that allow certain vehicles to travel despite the restrictions in force, with the exception of tunnels on the A23 motorway and the 25 de Abril Bridge, where they apply without exception.

Who can drive despite the restrictions?

The following are exempt from the restrictions:

• Vehicles transporting dangerous goods intended for public and private health centres,
• vehicles transporting dangerous goods for the armed forces and police,
• vehicles loading/unloading at seaports (dangerous goods transported to and from ports),
• vehicles delivering fuel to airports and seaports.

Special permits

The General Directorate of Traffic (Direcção Geral de Viação) may issue special permits for transport operations that carry out loading at a specific time and place, with access to a dedicated road, or for vehicles carrying dangerous goods necessary for the functioning of key production units.

To obtain a permit, the carrier must submit an application including, among other things:

• a copy of the vehicle registration certificate,
• the relevant ADR certificates,
• the carrier’s details,
• a list of the goods being transported with their UN numbers and ADR classes,
• the planned route and the exact time of passage.

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Summary

Truck bans in Portugal in 2025 apply only to vehicles transporting dangerous goods. Unlike in other European countries, in Portugal they mainly apply in urban areas, on selected road sections, in tunnels and on the 25 de Abril Bridge in Lisbon.

With a well-planned route, using tools such as HOGS Maps, carriers can efficiently adapt their journeys to the applicable regulations, avoid fines and ensure the safe transport of goods.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What are the speed limits for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes in Portugal?

For heavy goods vehicles with a GVW of over 3.5 tonnes, the speed limits in Portugal are as follows:

• on motorways – 90 km/h,
• on expressways – 80 km/h,
• on other roads – 70 km/h (unless otherwise indicated by road signs).

In built-up areas, the speed limit is 50 km/h.

What are the traffic rules in Portugal?

In Portugal, traffic drives on the right. Seat belts are compulsory in all vehicles and dipped headlights must be used in conditions of reduced visibility.

Truck drivers must also remember that it is prohibited to use a mobile phone without a hands-free kit and must comply with traffic restrictions for vehicles carrying dangerous goods, especially in urban areas and on main roads.