Autonomous driving arrives on Portuguese roads under new law

Portugal has taken an important step towards the future of mobility. From July 2026, it will be possible to carry out tests of vehicles equipped with autonomous driving systems on Portuguese roads, thanks to new legislation approved by the Government.

The measure aims to create a legal framework that allows car manufacturers, technology companies and research centres to develop and test automated driving systems in real-world traffic conditions.

Until now, Portugal did not have specific regulations for this type of testing, something that limited the development of the technology within the country.

What changes in practice?

Under the new legislation, interested organisations will be able to apply for authorisation to test vehicles equipped with automated driving systems on public roads.

The tests will be subject to several safety and supervision requirements, with prior approval from the relevant authorities being mandatory.

According to the Government, the goal is to ensure that technological innovation can progress without compromising the safety of other road users.

The legislation applies not only to passenger cars, but also to other types of vehicles equipped with automated driving systems.

Portugal joins other European countries

With this decision, Portugal joins the growing list of European countries that already allow autonomous driving tests on public roads.

In recent years, several manufacturers have invested heavily in this technology, including Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen and numerous technology companies specialising in mobility solutions.

The common goal is to develop systems capable of improving road safety, reducing human error and increasing traffic efficiency.

It does not mean fully autonomous cars are here yet

Despite the new legislation, the approval of testing does not mean that fully autonomous vehicles are about to become a common sight on Portuguese roads.

Most systems currently available still require human supervision and driver intervention in certain situations.

The newly authorised tests will serve precisely to collect data, validate technologies and accelerate the development of future generations of automated driving systems.

An important step towards the future

The approval of this legislation represents an important milestone for automotive innovation in Portugal.

With the possibility of conducting real-world tests, the country could attract new research and development projects related to smart mobility and autonomous vehicles.

Although fully autonomous driving is still some way from becoming an everyday reality, from July 2026 Portugal will officially become part of that future.

Sources: EuroNews, ACP, Notícias ao minuto, Público