Portugal Parking Fine

[glastry]

Hi.
Then you will never know what you have missed. Rule of thumb. do NOT park on access tracks into wooded areas Bombeiros /Fire fighters need to get in/on 24/7. Anywhere with a bit of string/twig fence..is Private (We have a fair bit of land,Mo/ho parked up under basic shelter....and what stops the Portuguese coming in ? 1.NOBODY wants to go to a Portugues jail.2. It is fiercely guarded by some...GPO Blue string...so there.)
Park the way the traffic flow is for your side,stop at stop signs,look for SPEED limits on bridges and if you feel the need to park somewhere for the night,climb down from your mighty charger... and ask a native.
Fines. It would appear..that if you do get caught out,when a letter drops on the Mat...YOUR mat it is a basic fine,however,should you delay paying....... The fine goes up...... "Well,slap my thigh!"
The above script was written under duress,Jennifer has confiscated my stash of Argus Alc.5% Est. AD 1844 and i have been told to come off the computor .....
Tea Bag.
PS. Oh,and Portugal...Come on down,if you are lucky,you may not even get fined and worse.....You could enjoy it,we came on holiday in 2009 and never went back

I note the time, and having taken into consideration that you may be under the influence of the devils buttermilk,
GOOD NIGHT

 

[glastry]

All the happy friendly Portuguese must have been out of the country when I visited last year

They probably knew knew you were coming and ran away!
aren't you the one with a rifle the size of a punt gun?

 

[GWAYGWAY]

Ignore it.
There is no mechanism for chasing this local debt beyond the Portuguese border.

They take it from the hire company and they take it from your card if you mean the parking fine for the hire car and not the MH.

 

[GWAYGWAY]

What did you do to incur a few thousand in fines, must have been fairly serious and or repeated,it would be useful to know so others can avoid it.

I was being sarcastic about the go box, and the various ways they screw the unwary tourist, ie not validating the V5 by post and being pushed onto the motorway without one and any other way they can think of.

 

[Tootles]

I got a 30DM speeding fine in July 1970 in Germany, just before being posted home. I (of coarse), didnt pay it, despite several 'threatening' letters. The story was much told at parties and p*ss ups over the years, with much smirking by me.
Just got a compound interest bill for 23 million Euros.

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[Pia]

S. Oh,and Portugal...Come on down,if you are lucky,you may not even get fined and worse.....You could enjoy it,we came on holiday in 2009 and never went back

Thanks @teabag. We should be ok then when overnighting we only ever park in approved for motorhome spaces. We usually only overnight in these places, if stopping longer we use campsites. We are indeed driving through Portugal and in the places we have chosen to linger longer we will be stopping in campsites ....so although it is useful to have the information this site provides I always do my own research and make decisions on the basis of all the information available. This will be our first trip to Portugal and we are really looking forward to it...only a little apprehensively re the parking but we'll make sure we read the signs and if uncertain we'll find someone to ask or move on....we NEVER break the speed limit...we rarely reach the speed limit as we are not usually in any rush....oh and we always respect and obey laws, and enjoy the people and the culture of the country we are in. Happily...I'm pleased to report that we always enjoy all our trips in our Harvey.

 

[jongood]

What is it that motorhomers don't like about campsites. Makes life a lot easier to be an official visitor with all the facilities at arms length. What is the attraction with sleeping in car parks......?

Generally its convenience. During August we stayed on a campsite at St Georges de Diddone because of a family gathering. There is also an aire. The aire is significantly closer to town has a sea view and a nicer beach than the campsite. In fairness the campsite did have a pool but it was full of dribbling kids and you had to wear lycra to go in it. The cost doesnt really come into it but 30 euros for the campsite or 7 for the aire.

Jon

 

[jongood]

I see no-ones mentioned the tolls. can the Portugese now chase people for unpaid tolls? and if so how far back can they go?

That could be a money maker.

 

[jongood]

I was being sarcastic about the go box, and the various ways they screw the unwary tourist, ie not validating the V5 by post and being pushed onto the motorway without one and any other way they can think of.

I totally agree. The Austrians fine people for fun. Strange attitude.

 

[jumartoo]

I see no-ones mentioned the tolls. can the Portugese now chase people for unpaid tolls? and if so how far back can they go?

That could be a money maker.

If you're stopped on a toll motorway you can be asked to show how you're paying the toll. They can also check your reg no on their computer to see if you've made previous journeys and to see what you owe.

This happened to a friend of mine in a Brit registered car.

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[Welsh girl]

Just as well we didn't use them last time we were there then as people were saying just use them as they can't chase any UK reg vans for the fines for using them !
Going again shortly and will not be using them again thiS time. Will set the date nav to no tolls although sometimes it does take us on one ,eek.

 

[Tea Bag]

__

Thanks @teabag. We should be ok then when overnighting we only ever park in approved for motorhome spaces. We usually only overnight in these places, if stopping longer we use campsites. We are indeed driving through Portugal and in the places we have chosen to linger longer we will be stopping in campsites ....so although it is useful to have the information this site provides I always do my own research and make decisions on the basis of all the information available. This will be our first trip to Portugal and we are really looking forward to it...only a little apprehensively re the parking but we'll make sure we read the signs and if uncertain we'll find someone to ask or move on....we NEVER break the speed limit...we rarely reach the speed limit as we are not usually in any rush....oh and we always respect and obey laws, and enjoy the people and the culture of the country we are in. Happily...I'm pleased to report that we always enjoy all our trips in our Harvey.

Hi
Just in case. Campsites. "Orbitur and Municipal" are nice,and there are lots of Proper Aires.One just above Lisbon,is 4 euros and has toilets/showers/laundry BBQ area etc (EHU But this may be on a meter?),right on the bank of an inlet,will look it up in a bit when fully awake.....
One last thing,"Open Fires!" A NO NO. between April/Oct. But CHECK! Dates,Euro,1000 fine We have been told not to use Brush cutters or Chainsaws for a while because of the Fire risk.
Come on down,it is a mo/homers paradise.
Tea Bag. CEO. Santa Comba Dao Tourist board.

 

[maxi77]

Just as well we didn't use them last time we were there then as people were saying just use them as they can't chase any UK reg vans for the fines for using them !
Going again shortly and will not be using them again thiS time. Will set the date nav to no tolls although sometimes it does take us on one ,eek.

It is only the automatic tolls you need to avoid and for most of us that is the A22 in the Algarve, we use the A6 entering Portugal and that has like most Portuguese motorways toll booths where payment is easy.

 

[2657]

If you're stopped on a toll motorway you can be asked to show how you're paying the toll. They can also check your reg no on their computer to see if you've made previous journeys and to see what you owe.

This happened to a friend of mine in a Brit registered car.

To me as well!

 

[Tea Bag]

Thanks @teabag. We should be ok then when overnighting we only ever park in approved for motorhome spaces. We usually only overnight in these places, if stopping longer we use campsites. We are indeed driving through Portugal and in the places we have chosen to linger longer we will be stopping in campsites ....so although it is useful to have the information this site provides I always do my own research and make decisions on the basis of all the information available. This will be our first trip to Portugal and we are really looking forward to it...only a little apprehensively re the parking but we'll make sure we read the signs and if uncertain we'll find someone to ask or move on....we NEVER break the speed limit...we rarely reach the speed limit as we are not usually in any rush....oh and we always respect and obey laws, and enjoy the people and the culture of the country we are in. Happily...I'm pleased to report that we always enjoy all our trips in our Harvey.

Hi again.
I can vouch for the Municipal and Orbitur sites at Praia de Mira and the Aire? as well,stopped at all three. I think that the Orbitur sites run a scheme like ACSI,where if you join up,you get a discount on their sites.The 4 Euro Aire near lisbon is Parque de Autocaravans da Foz Do Arelho
Pacfozdoarelho@gmail.com
I think that matamoros and/or vwallen. will say if they think its OK,it did for us,and we got on the front row after the first night. Happy PORTUGAL!! to you.
Tea Bag

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[motorhomer]

Re Austria, we met a man last time we were there who had been pulled in and weighed (at least his van was). His van was plated at 3500 but he was overweight. So he was fined. Problem was, this man was over 70 and his licence only covered him to drive up to 3500kg. so he was fined again for driving without a licence. Good, the Austrians!

 

[Lenny HB]

Re Austria, we met a man last time we were there who had been pulled in and weighed (at least his van was). His van was plated at 3500 but he was overweight. So he was fined. Problem was, this man was over 70 and his licence only covered him to drive up to 3500kg. so he was fined again for driving without a licence. Good, the Austrians!

They are slacking should have fined him for his insurance being invalid as well.

 

[The Nomad]

They are slacking should have fined him for his insurance being invalid as well.

It wasn't. Once an insurer has accepted risk for at least the minimum Third Party element of any vehicle insurance, they cannot repudiate that part of the insurance regardless of what the driver then does. Thus regardless of whether you break the speed limit, drive whilst pissed etc, the third party element of your insurance is still in force.

Now, it is perfectly possible for the insurers to come after you for repayment of some/All the costs of a claim and payouts to third parties that they had to make as a result of your driving illegally at that moment, but they can't repudiate their responsibility to settle those third party claims. Of course you'd also get buggerall payout for any damage to your own vehicle or yourself.

 

[2657]

Re Austria, we met a man last time we were there who had been pulled in and weighed (at least his van was). His van was plated at 3500 but he was overweight. So he was fined. Problem was, this man was over 70 and his licence only covered him to drive up to 3500kg. so he was fined again for driving without a licence. Good, the Austrians!

Unless the Austrians have different laws than the rest of the EU he would not have been fined for an invalid licence. The licence is for the plated MGVW not the actual weight.

 

[jongood]

If you're stopped on a toll motorway you can be asked to show how you're paying the toll. They can also check your reg no on their computer to see if you've made previous journeys and to see what you owe.

This happened to a friend of mine in a Brit registered car.

This is actually a different issue. Your example has always been the case but they had to catch you over there.

My question is that' are they able to chase non payment of tolls when you are back home now our opt out to the onesided detail sharing regime has expired.

Jon

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[glastry]

Oh Please! ,Teabag !!- i mean REALLY?
I think i have a repeditive strain injury , writing and making up crap to keep visitors away,and you are writing like Portugals private tourist board on tour!
Copy RAB C campa cola,tell it like it is ,the portuguese hate him and the parking is shit,the police can fine you just for looking at them,
and nobody really understands the toll roads.
If you are really just lonely and have a fair bit of land-sure why didn't you say,
send me your address and i can probably find a few big irish travelling familys ,who would be delighted to keep you company,
for a year or two?

 

[Lenny HB]

It wasn't. Once an insurer has accepted risk for at least the minimum Third Party element of any vehicle insurance, they cannot repudiate that part of the insurance regardless of what the driver then does. Thus regardless of whether you break the speed limit, drive whilst pissed etc, the third party element of your insurance is still in force.

Now, it is perfectly possible for the insurers to come after you for repayment of some/All the costs of a claim and payouts to third parties that they had to make as a result of your driving illegally at that moment, but they can't repudiate their responsibility to settle those third party claims. Of course you'd also get buggerall payout for any damage to your own vehicle or yourself.

I was having a bit of fun & forgot to put a smiley.

 

[Teuchter]

Change the van/buy a private number plate.


Butlin's, full of people , even kids!.There is no reason for me to use one as there is nothing I wish to stop & see. just to sleep.
Not going to happen on a site is it ?

Since when was sleeping banned on campsites??

 

[Tea Bag]

Oh Please! ,Teabag !!- i mean REALLY?
I think i have a repeditive strain injury , writing and making up crap to keep visitors away,and you are writing like Portugals private tourist board on tour!
Copy RAB C campa cola,tell it like it is ,the portuguese hate him and the parking is shit,the police can fine you just for looking at them,
and nobody really understands the toll roads.
If you are really just lonely and have a fair bit of land-sure why didn't you say,
send me your address and i can probably find a few big irish travelling familys ,who would be delighted to keep you company,
for a year or two?

Hi.
SSSSHHHHHHHHH!!!!. THE family is ALREADY HERE! from just outside Limerick. (And Noel Hogan,his family brought the M6 to a standstill on their way here,when they unhitched the horses and let them graze on the central reservation) (( Thats me for a few more cracked ribs))Why i want people to come,is to increase the TRAFFIC flow and share out the FINES i keep getting.
You hit the nail on the head about me being lonely...... Every time i go on a journey,no matter how short/far,i often have to park in a lay bye for over an hour,just to see another motorist pass by THE ROADS ARE EMPTY
campa cola got a Punt gun?.. He must be the Ba..... PERSON who wakes me up at the crack of dawn Sunday,blasting away at whatever..... So his wheels will get squared pretty quick sharp
Being serious.. TRULY!
There are regular "Shoots" in our area of Portyland (And elsewhere?),of a Thursday and Sunday. I was told this as i used to venture off with the Growler (Sassy dog) into the surrounding forests. So be aware seek local knowledge. Oh they can shoot,a lot of them have honed their skills in Angola.
Tea Bag....."Lovin it"

 

[Pia]

Well here we are, now in back Spain. We entered Portugal from Ciudad Rodrigo in Spain.. Had done my research re motorway systems in Portugal thanks to advice on here so no problem, just popped credit card in slot and got receipt with details put safely away....on the Via Verde took a ticket and paid at the booths on exit...no problem.....except the COST we found high also the cost of diesel is higher in Portugal than in France or Spain. We stopped at the Aire in Viseu which was excellent and free right on the edge of the lovely little town. Did some shopping after taking the free funicular up to the church. We had lunch at a restaurant close to the church full of locals...the food was good BUT the fish was full of bones...I don't much like bones in fish...but it was delicious nonetheless. We found that we had been charged for bread and olives ???? a surprise as we didn't order them. A good meal, though. We moved on next day to Praia de Vagueira, on the coast to the Aire there. It was 'off the beaten track' and down the most horrendous roads.....BUT we loved it there. There were 3 or 4 other motorhomes and the guy who looks after the parking was always about... €10 per night EHU & wifi +usual facs and you could use waterproof (next door) facs during open hours. Just across a sand dune from the ocean with a beach bar open from the balcony of which you can watch the wonderful sunsets. There's a board walk on which cycling was allowed so we went into town for supplies....about 5 mins on the bike. We stayed there 5 nights really liked this one...then went to Obidus which is a beautiful walled ancient city...stayed at a beautiful Aire opposite the aquaduct and 5 minute walk to the town. Highly recommend. We arrived early 1 day spent 1 night in the Aire (the man came and collected €6) no EHU but wifi and all other facs and we left late next day after walking the walls...REALLY lovely. oh yes, there's a delicious cherry liqueur which must be tasted whilst in Obidus We went on Villa Franca de Xira to the municipal campsite there so that we could catch a train to Lisbon. Loved Lisbon but the campsite although pleasant didn't have anywhere but the toilet to empty the chemical loo and there was no facilities to empty the grey water or to fill with fresh....so not so good for MHs but in a lovely park. We LOVED Lisbon and will return there to spend more time. Alcacer do Sol was next ...we went to the campsite there €12 per night. It was lovely all services except wifi (available only at reception) but nice pitches if a tad uneven..best pitches are along the fence on the opposite side from reception so along the side with the fence...lovely sunsets and you can see the river in the distance. Intermarche 3 mins walk in the same road. Nice bike ride down to the river with lots of bars along the front...there's also a castle and a museum...a nice town we stayed 4 nights. Went to Alvor from there we were going to stop at the Aire there but when we got there we realised it was not for us....we thought it resembled a gypsy encampment with MH all higgledy-piggledy and too close...looked utterly chaotic so we drove in one gate and out the other a tad disappointed as we wanted to visit the fishing port....went on to Silves to the Aire there....we liked this one, lovely marked pitches, wifi, showers....no toilet but all other facilities. The town is riverside so there are lots of bars on the front...we stayed a week here as we really liked Silves. From Silves we went to Falesia.....which we booked from Silves as it is run by the same company. It was much bigger but pleasant enough....we stopped for 3 nights then left Portugal for Spain. Our impression of Portugal is that it lacked 'soul' ...... for us.....towns and villages as we drove across the mountains to the coast were all new and the same....'no soul'. Apart from that .....what we didn't like.....the bread it gave us both guts ache, sadly they do not seem to fillet their fish EVER which I don't much like, didn't like the roads even those expensive motorways had really bad parts and minor roads were really bad, there was lots of litter and dog poo!!!! supermarkets not so good... what we did like.....the people are just really lovely and friendly, the port is gorgeous, the wine is delicious, the brandy scrumptious, the pastries are to die for, Lisbon is one of the most beautiful cities we've visited, in Europe.... the Aires and campsites are good and cheap...we will return to visit Porto and Lisbon again but we'll take part baked bread from Spain So glad we visited Purtugal.

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[cruiser]

@Pia . Why did you not try the campsite at Alvor. We liked it. And we agree with you. The aire you used at Silves is very good.

 

[Funnymunny]

I am surprised people still use the parking on the old football ground at Armaco De Pera, it is a lovely place I have stopped there myself and been told it was Ok to stop overnight by the car park attendant but I have also heard of several cases of police fining people for stopping there.

I reckon it is a scam, why hasn't the people who are taking the money for you parking there being prosecuted, they tell you that you can knowing that very often the police have a clear out probably when they are short of funds.

I think sites like this need to publicise the fact that you are liable to be fined for stopping there despite what the car park attendant tells you.

 

[Pia]

@Pia . Why did you not try the campsite at Alvor. We liked it. And we agree with you. The aire you used at Silves is very good.

The campsite didn't have good reviews....so we decided to move on.

 

[Pia]

I am surprised people still use the parking on the old football ground at Armaco De Pera, it is a lovely place I have stopped there myself and been told it was Ok to stop overnight by the car park attendant but I have also heard of several cases of police fining people for stopping there.

I reckon it is a scam, why hasn't the people who are taking the money for you parking there being prosecuted, they tell you that you can knowing that very often the police have a clear out probably when they are short of funds.

I think sites like this need to publicise the fact that you are liable to be fined for stopping there despite what the car park attendant tells you.

We only use dedicated Aires or campsites. Would hate to break any rules or upset the local people by parking inappropriately, saves having to worry about fines too.

 

[maxi77]

Well here we are, now in back Spain. We entered Portugal from Ciudad Rodrigo in Spain.. Had done my research re motorway systems in Portugal thanks to advice on here so no problem, just popped credit card in slot and got receipt with details put safely away....on the Via Verde took a ticket and paid at the booths on exit...no problem.....except the COST we found high also the cost of diesel is higher in Portugal than in France or Spain. We stopped at the Aire in Viseu which was excellent and free right on the edge of the lovely little town. Did some shopping after taking the free funicular up to the church. We had lunch at a restaurant close to the church full of locals...the food was good BUT the fish was full of bones...I don't much like bones in fish...but it was delicious nonetheless. We found that we had been charged for bread and olives ???? a surprise as we didn't order them. A good meal, though. We moved on next day to Praia de Vagueira, on the coast to the Aire there. It was 'off the beaten track' and down the most horrendous roads.....BUT we loved it there. There were 3 or 4 other motorhomes and the guy who looks after the parking was always about... €10 per night EHU & wifi +usual facs and you could use waterproof (next door) facs during open hours. Just across a sand dune from the ocean with a beach bar open from the balcony of which you can watch the wonderful sunsets. There's a board walk on which cycling was allowed so we went into town for supplies....about 5 mins on the bike. We stayed there 5 nights really liked this one...then went to Obidus which is a beautiful walled ancient city...stayed at a beautiful Aire opposite the aquaduct and 5 minute walk to the town. Highly recommend. We arrived early 1 day spent 1 night in the Aire (the man came and collected €6) no EHU but wifi and all other facs and we left late next day after walking the walls...REALLY lovely. oh yes, there's a delicious cherry liqueur which must be tasted whilst in Obidus We went on Villa Franca de Xira to the municipal campsite there so that we could catch a train to Lisbon. Loved Lisbon but the campsite although pleasant didn't have anywhere but the toilet to empty the chemical loo and there was no facilities to empty the grey water or to fill with fresh....so not so good for MHs but in a lovely park. We LOVED Lisbon and will return there to spend more time. Alcacer do Sol was next ...we went to the campsite there €12 per night. It was lovely all services except wifi (available only at reception) but nice pitches if a tad uneven..best pitches are along the fence on the opposite side from reception so along the side with the fence...lovely sunsets and you can see the river in the distance. Intermarche 3 mins walk in the same road. Nice bike ride down to the river with lots of bars along the front...there's also a castle and a museum...a nice town we stayed 4 nights. Went to Alvor from there we were going to stop at the Aire there but when we got there we realised it was not for us....we thought it resembled a gypsy encampment with MH all higgledy-piggledy and too close...looked utterly chaotic so we drove in one gate and out the other a tad disappointed as we wanted to visit the fishing port....went on to Silves to the Aire there....we liked this one, lovely marked pitches, wifi, showers....no toilet but all other facilities. The town is riverside so there are lots of bars on the front...we stayed a week here as we really liked Silves. From Silves we went to Falesia.....which we booked from Silves as it is run by the same company. It was much bigger but pleasant enough....we stopped for 3 nights then left Portugal for Spain. Our impression of Portugal is that it lacked 'soul' ...... for us.....towns and villages as we drove across the mountains to the coast were all new and the same....'no soul'. Apart from that .....what we didn't like.....the bread it gave us both guts ache, sadly they do not seem to fillet their fish EVER which I don't much like, didn't like the roads even those expensive motorways had really bad parts and minor roads were really bad, there was lots of litter and dog poo!!!! supermarkets not so good... what we did like.....the people are just really lovely and friendly, the port is gorgeous, the wine is delicious, the brandy scrumptious, the pastries are to die for, Lisbon is one of the most beautiful cities we've visited, in Europe.... the Aires and campsites are good and cheap...we will return to visit Porto and Lisbon again but we'll take part baked bread from Spain So glad we visited Purtugal.

One of the reasons many of us visit Portugal time and time again is that unlike Mediterranean Spain it does have soul and some of the best bread around. One also has to remember Portugal never a rich country is just emerging from a very deep recession they are only just starting to get started on infrastructure after a nearly ten year holiday

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