International driving license for Portugal and the exchange
An international driving license for Portugal and the Portuguese license are not consular documents: Portugal’s IMT issues the license (source). On the consular side, what people moving to Portugal need is the certificate to exchange a U.S. license.
Who can exchange a U.S. license
Portuguese citizens moving back to Portugal for good and foreigners authorized to reside there. The exchange, with no driving test, “must be made 185 days after entering Portugal”, in Boston’s words (source).
- A copy of the valid U.S. driving license
- A copy of the ID card or Citizen Card showing U.S. residence
- The state’s driving records (Massachusetts RMV, New Hampshire or Vermont DMV, Maine BMV)
- Proof of U.S. residence
- A stamped, self-addressed envelope
List from Boston’s page (source), which refers the cost to the fee table.
In Portugal, afterwards
With the certificate, the exchange is made at the IMT, the authority for Portuguese licenses (source).
| Step | Where |
|---|---|
| State driving records | The U.S. state’s motor vehicle department |
| Exchange certificate | Consular office (Boston by mail) |
| License exchange | IMT, in Portugal |
How each office takes payment
| Office | Accepted payment |
|---|---|
| Boston | Card (2.63% + $0.10 surcharge), cash or money order (source) |
| Newark | Cash or money order only (source) |
| New Bedford | Cash or money order (source) |
| Providence | Cash only (source) |
| San Francisco | The exchange rate changes every month; at outreach visits, 20% more (source) |
Fees are charged in dollars at the month’s exchange rate: New York’s November 2026 table, for example, puts the Citizen Card for people over 25 at $25.80 (source).
The other certificates for moving back to Portugal
The household goods certificate lets people who have worked and lived outside the EU for more than a year import their belongings duty-free and VAT-free when they move back for good; Boston asks for the list of goods in triplicate (source).
For the car, the legalization request in Portugal must be filed within 12 months of canceling U.S. residence, and the vehicle can stay unregistered for up to 180 days after entering Portugal, according to Boston (source).
In Washington’s area, the household goods, driving license, car import and residence certificates are handled by mail only, with a prepaid envelope (source).
| Deadline | What for |
|---|---|
| 185 days after entering Portugal | Exchange of the U.S. license without a test (source) |
| 12 months from canceling U.S. residence | Car legalization request |
| 180 days from the car’s entry | Driving before the car is legalized |
Questions people ask
The real questions people search about this procedure, with the short answer:
How do I exchange a U.S. license for a Portuguese one?
Request the exchange certificate from the consulate, with the state’s driving records, then make the exchange at the IMT (source).
Who can request the certificate?
Portuguese citizens moving back for good and foreigners authorized to live in Portugal (source).