In a Portuguese rental car, the simplest way to pay tolls is the Via Verde transponder the rental company offers, for a daily fee. Since 1 January 2025 several motorways are free, including the A22 across the Algarve, so if you stay around Faro you may pay little or nothing in tolls. Other motorways still charge, and many have no booth where you can pay on the spot.
Terms were checked on 18 October 2026.
Which roads became toll-free in 2025
Lei n.º 37/2024 of 7 August 2024 abolished tolls from 1 January 2025 on these former SCUT motorways:
| Road | Area | Toll-free since 1 January 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| A4 | Transmontana and Túnel do Marão | Yes |
| A13 and A13-1 | Pinhal Interior | Yes |
| A22 | Algarve (Via do Infante) | Yes |
| A23 | Beira Interior | Yes |
| A24 | Interior Norte | Yes |
| A25 | Beiras Litoral e Alta | Yes |
| A28 | Litoral Norte | Only Esposende–Antas and Neiva–Darque |
Infraestruturas de Portugal confirms these sections have been priced at zero since midnight on 1 January 2025, and also lists the A23 between Torres Novas (A1) and Abrantes. Tolls remain on other former SCUT roads, such as Costa de Prata, Grande Porto and Norte Litoral (IC24–Esposende), and on other concessions.
The law names specific concessions. Sections of the A13 or A25 run by other operators may still be tolled. Check your route before assuming it is free.
Why tolls are tricky in Portugal
Portugal has two kinds of toll roads:
- Traditional toll plazas with barriers. You can pay in cash or by card at the booth.
- Electronic-only roads with gantries over the road. There is no booth. You need a transponder or a registered payment system.
According to pttolls.com, cash or card at the booth works only on traditional toll plazas, not on electronic-only roads. So in a rental car, sort out how you will pay before you join the motorway.
Option 1: The rental company’s transponder
According to the official Portugal Tolls portal, rental companies in Portugal are required to offer a toll payment system, and many rental cars have a Via Verde transponder. The rental company then bills you for the tolls and its own fee, as set in its terms.
For example, Centauro’s conditions (V06JUN/2026, clause 16) say:
- all its cars have a Via Verde transponder;
- the admin fee is €2.21 per rental day, up to €22.14 per month;
- a €100 toll deposit is taken and refunded in about 20 days.
Other companies’ fees were not confirmed on official pages when we checked. Station rules vary, so look for the toll section in the terms of your booking or ask at the desk.
-
Centauro
- Rental company
- Shuttle
- Fuel policy
- Fuel paid at pick-up, unused fuel refunded
- Deposit
- Spain €1,200–2,200 (equals the excess); none with Smart cover
- Minimum age
- 19, licence held 1 year; surcharge 19–24
- Debit cards
- For prepayment only; desk payment needs a credit card for the deposit
- Málaga, Faro
- Off-airport, shuttle every 10–15 min
- Alicante
- Counter in the terminal
-
Discover Cars
- Broker
- Refund-based Full Coverage
- Free cancellation
- Up to 48 h before pick-up
- Full Coverage
- Pay the supplier, claim back within 90 days; up to €5,000
- Deposit
- Supplier's deposit still applies, even with Full Coverage
- Card at the desk
- Most suppliers want a credit card in the main driver's name
Prices checked on 18 October 2026. They change often; check the final price before you pay.
Option 2: Toll products for foreign-plated cars
These products from the official pttolls.com portal are meant for cars with foreign plates. A car rented in Portugal has Portuguese plates and normally uses the rental company’s system. A car rented in Spain and driven into Portugal is foreign-plated, but check with the rental company first whether it allows cross-border trips and how it handles tolls.
| Product | Cost (pttolls.com) | Valid | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| EasyToll | €1 registration + €0.32 per trip | 30 days | Not on the Lusoponte bridges |
| TollCard | Prepaid €5 to €40 + €0.32 per trip | 1 year | |
| Go Toll (Via Verde) | €0.77 per month + €0.32 per trip | Visitor product | |
| Go Toll & Beyond (Via Verde) | €1.99 per month | Visitor product |
Which option to choose
Pros
- The transponder is the least effort: drive and pay later
- Fees are capped, for example at €22.14 per month at Centauro
- In the Algarve the A22 is free anyway
Cons
- You pay a daily fee even on days you use no toll roads
- A toll deposit may be blocked on your card
- Fees of companies other than Centauro were not confirmed
If you stay in the Algarve and use only the A22, ask whether you can skip the transponder. If you plan to drive to Lisbon or Porto, take the transponder.
Ask for an itemised list of tolls and fees after the rental. If a charge looks wrong, write to the rental company first, then contact the European Consumer Centre in your country.
Next step
Most Algarve trips start at Faro. Read our Faro Airport car hire guide, then compare prices for Faro Airport on Discover Cars and check the toll rules on each offer. Prices change hourly, so compare live prices. The deposit works much like in Spain, see our car hire deposit guide and excess insurance guide. More rules are in our rules guides.
Frequently asked questions
Is the A22 in the Algarve still a toll road?
No. Lei n.º 37/2024 abolished tolls on the A22 (Via do Infante) from 1 January 2025. The road from Faro Airport along the Algarve coast is toll-free.
How do I pay tolls in a Portuguese rental car?
Portuguese rental companies must offer a toll payment system, and many cars have a Via Verde transponder. For example, Centauro's conditions (V06JUN/2026) charge €2.21 per rental day, up to €22.14 per month, plus a €100 toll deposit.
Can I pay tolls in cash in Portugal?
Only at traditional toll plazas with barriers. On electronic-only roads there is nowhere to pay on the spot, so you need a transponder or a system such as EasyToll.
How does EasyToll work?
According to the official portal pttolls.com, EasyToll is for foreign-plated cars. It costs €1 to register plus €0.32 per trip, is valid for 30 days and does not work on the Lusoponte bridges.
Which Portuguese motorways became toll-free in 2025?
The A4 (Transmontana and Túnel do Marão), A13 and A13-1 (Pinhal Interior), A22 (Algarve), A23, A24, A25 (Beiras Litoral e Alta) and two sections of the A28. Some sections of the A13 and A25 run by other concessionaires may still be tolled.
Sources
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