Portugal is set to become a testing ground for autonomous vehicles on public roads, with a new decree-law approved by the Council of Ministers in late April and published in the Diário da República last Monday. The legislation will come into force in July, establishing a legal framework for trials involving self-driving technology.
The Portuguese government argues that autonomous driving can "help democratise mobility by promoting the inclusion of citizens who are unable to drive because of physical or other constraints." It also expects the technology to "enable new and different solutions for individual and collective mobility, helping to optimise the vehicle fleet and reduce the inefficiencies inherent in the current mobility model based on privately owned, individually used vehicles."
Strict Requirements for Testing
Under the new regime, tests can be conducted by research laboratories, higher education institutions, and companies in the automotive, infrastructure, and transport sectors. Each organisation must obtain a licence and comply with a set of technical, operational, and safety requirements.
One of the most notable provisions is the requirement for compulsory insurance with a minimum cover set at four times the usual level. This must cover bodily injury or material damage caused to third parties by autonomous vehicles. Additionally, applicants must submit a risk mitigation plan and demonstrate cybersecurity measures to prevent unauthorised access to vehicle systems.
Tests must be notified in advance, and a final report must be submitted detailing any accidents, serious incidents, or other events that occurred during the trials. Both the driver and the operator responsible for highly automated or fully automated systems must have held a driving licence for at least six years and must not have committed any road traffic crimes or offences in the past five years.
During tests, speed limits from the Highway Code will be reduced by 20 kilometres per hour. Blood alcohol limits will align with those for professional drivers, and neither the driver nor the operator may work for more than three consecutive hours without a break of at least one hour.
Vehicles used in trials must be equipped with systems that record detailed information, including the characteristics of the automated system, identification of whoever is controlling the car dynamically, and indicators such as speed, steering, and braking performance. They must also store data on remote commands and communications with other vehicles, road infrastructure, and digital connection points.
Licences issued abroad will be valid in Portugal, provided an application for recognition is submitted to the chair of the board of the Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT).
Portugal's move comes as other European countries, such as Germany and France, have already introduced legislation for autonomous vehicle testing. The European Union is also working on a regulatory framework for self-driving cars, with the aim of harmonising rules across member states. For a broader view of labour and economic challenges in the region, see our coverage of EU Strike Map: Portugal, Italy, Spain Lead Industrial Action in Early 2026.
The Portuguese government's initiative reflects a growing trend across Europe to embrace autonomous mobility, though it remains cautious about safety and liability. As the technology evolves, the country hopes to position itself as a hub for innovation in the sector, potentially attracting investment from automotive and tech companies. Meanwhile, the integration of autonomous systems into everyday life raises questions about data privacy and cybersecurity, as highlighted by developments like Visa Integrates Payment Network into ChatGPT for Autonomous Purchases.
