Car Hire Lisbon 2026: Airport, Tolls, Parking & Day Trips

Do you need a hire car in Lisbon?

For the city itself, usually not. Lisbon is hilly, the old quarters are narrow and steep, and parking is scarce and paid. Metro, trams, buses and walking are faster in the centre.

A car pays off for day trips: the Sintra hills, Cascais and the Atlantic coast via Cabo da Roca, or the Setúbal peninsula and the Arrábida Natural Park south of the river, especially if you want to combine several stops in one day.

Picking up a hire car at Lisbon Airport (LIS)

Humberto Delgado Airport lies about 7 km (4 miles) north of the city centre. It has two terminals, but only Terminal 1 has an arrivals area. Terminal 2 is a departures terminal used mainly by low-cost airlines; if you land on one of their flights, you are taken to Terminal 1 for passport control and baggage. A free shuttle bus links the two terminals.

The desks of the main car hire brands are in the arrivals area of Terminal 1. Depending on the company, the cars wait in a car park within walking distance of the terminal or you are taken there by a free shuttle. Returns are usually handled in the same area where you collected the car.

Some companies have no desk in the terminal and take you to an off-airport office by shuttle bus. That can be cheaper, but it costs time. Before booking, check the meeting point, how often the shuttle runs, the desk's opening hours and any fees for late arrivals.

Tolls in a Portuguese hire car: the transponder is standard

Most motorways in Portugal charge tolls, including roads around Lisbon such as the A5 towards Cascais. Some have conventional toll plazas where you pay by cash or card; others are electronic only, with gantries over the road that detect each vehicle without you stopping.

For hire cars the system is simpler than many older guides suggest. Under Decree-Law No. 84-C/2022, rental companies must equip their fleets with identifiers for automatic toll payment. The company pays the tolls you run up and then bills them to you. That applies to the electronic-only roads too, which visitors used to pay for themselves at the post office.

You drive through the green Via Verde lanes and the tolls are added to your invoice, plus a device fee. Two examples from the companies' own terms:

Other companies set their own rates, so check the terms. Toll charges can reach your card a few weeks after you return the car.

Crossing the Tagus: 25 de Abril and Vasco da Gama bridges

Two road bridges link Lisbon with the south bank of the Tagus: the red 25 de Abril Bridge towards Almada and Setúbal, and the long Vasco da Gama Bridge in the east of the city. On both, the toll is only charged in one direction, south to north, as you drive into Lisbon. Heading south is free.

With the transponder in your hire car you simply use the Via Verde lane. On a day trip to Setúbal or Arrábida, the bridge toll only comes up on the way back.

Lisbon's low emission zone (ZER): does it affect hire cars?

Lisbon created its first Zona de Emissões Reduzidas (ZER) in 2011. The rules in force today date from 2015 and cover two zones:

The restrictions apply on weekdays from 7am to 9pm, and fully electric cars are exempt. Any current hire car easily meets these standards, so the ZER is not a problem for you. What is new in 2026 is enforcement: according to Portuguese media, the city parking company EMEL is installing automatic number plate cameras. The rules have not changed; the stricter “ZER ABC” plan for Avenida, Baixa and Chiado announced in 2020 was never introduced.

Parking in Lisbon: EMEL zones and prices

On-street parking in Lisbon is run by the municipal company EMEL. Zones are colour-coded: the more central and busy the area, the higher the price and the shorter the maximum stay. The long-standing rates are:

In July 2026 Lisbon City Council approved the first rise in about 15 years, of 5 to 10 cents per hour depending on the zone, so you may already find the new rates on the meter. You pay at the parking meter or with EMEL's ePark app, which warns you 10 minutes before your time runs out, lets you extend it and charges only for the time used, with a 15-minute minimum.

The least stressful option is a hotel with its own parking; ask about price and height limits before booking.

Day trips: Sintra, Cascais and Arrábida

Sintra: do not drive into the town. Since 2023 electronic barriers have kept most traffic out of the historic centre, except residents, taxis, deliveries and some hotel guests. In spring 2026 the council tested wider limits on private cars, and since 8 July 2026 tour coaches can no longer drop off at Volta do Duche. Use the free Lourel car park (around 540 spaces, with monument ticket sales), from where bus 434 runs to Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle.

Cascais: you can take the toll-free coastal road, the Marginal (N6), through Estoril, or the faster A5 motorway, which is tolled. Cascais combines well with Sintra via Guincho beach and Cabo da Roca, whose free car park fills by midday in summer.

Setúbal and Arrábida: during the bathing season the “Arrábida sem carros” scheme applies. In 2026 it ran from 4 June to 15 September, daily from 7am to 8pm. Private cars were barred from the access roads to Albarquel and Figueirinha beaches, traffic was restricted on the road to Portinho da Arrábida, Creiro and Galapos, which could close completely when the Creiro car parks were full, and free park-and-ride car parks with bus links were provided.

Driving licence rules for UK, Irish, US, Canadian and Australian drivers

Portugal's transport authority IMT lets visitors drive for 185 days after entering the country, before taking up residence, with a licence from a country that has a bilateral agreement with Portugal or has joined the international road traffic conventions. Your own government's advice is the more practical guide:

• You must be at least 18 to drive a car in Portugal. Rental companies often set a higher minimum age and may charge a young driver fee.
• GOV.UK says it is mandatory to carry ID when driving, so keep your passport with you, not just your licence.
• A US IDP is valid for one year, must be carried with your licence and has to be obtained before you travel.
• Portugal drives on the right, so UK, Irish and Australian drivers should take extra care at junctions and roundabouts.

Rules of the road in Portugal

Unless signs say otherwise, these limits apply to cars:

• Drink-drive limit: 0.5 grams per litre, or 0.2 for novice drivers. Penalties can include heavy fines, licence suspension and jail, according to the Government of Canada.
• Phone calls only with a hands-free kit.
• Seat belts are mandatory; children under 12 who are shorter than 135 cm need a suitable child seat.
• Carry a reflective vest and a warning triangle. After a breakdown or accident, switch on the hazard lights, put on the vest and place the triangle at least 30 metres behind the car. Check both are in the car at pick-up.
• Thieves target hire cars, so never leave valuables in the car, not even in the boot.

Credit card, deposit and excess

Deposits and insurance cause most car hire disputes. Consumer advisers in Ireland, the CCPC and the European Consumer Centre, recommend:

1. Bring a credit card in the main driver's name. Most companies need one for the deposit and often refuse debit cards, even if you booked by debit card. Check your credit limit and know your PIN.
2. Understand the excess, the amount you pay towards any damage. Extra cover at the desk is optional and non-refundable; excess insurance bought in advance can be cheaper.
3. Choose full-to-full fuel: collect the car full and return it full, otherwise you may be charged.
4. Make sure every existing mark is on the damage diagram in your rental agreement, and take your own photos or video at pick-up and return.
5. Ask about cross-border fees before booking if you plan to drive into Spain. Without the company's permission your insurance may not apply there.

Frequently asked questions