Portugal - so sad

[OldCodger]

Never came across any of those.

How did you avoid them? Did you stay off all motorways?

If you went under one of these

On one of the “red” motorways you got weighed, measured and your reg number taken.

https://www.portugaltolls.com/sites/default/files/inline-files/EasyToll.pdf

 

[bobnick]

No, we used all tolls from entering Portugal and driving through. Never saw owt like that.
Today from near Lisbon we did about 100 Ks on toll then came off to use the non tolls. Loverly roads A2 iP8 433 onto A66 into Seville and beyond.
Didn't count but must have done 20 tolls.
All tolls without exception we were charged Class 4.

 

[OldCodger]

No, we used all tolls from entering Portugal and driving through. Never saw owt like that.
Today from near Lisbon we did about 100 Ks on toll then came off to use the non tolls. Loverly roads A2 iP8 433 onto A66 into Seville and beyond.
Didn't count but must have done 20 tolls.
All tolls without exception we were charged Class 4.

Eek. If you entered on the E80 /A62 from Spain which becomes the A23 in Portugal you went under those gantries. They are just before EVERY motorway exit

 

[bobnick]

Of course we went under gantrys to the booths to take tickets or pay the little ones like the €1.50.
I just don't remember seeing THAT type of gantry.
And we did a lot of tolls.
Every payment was charged at Class 4, so the system knew.

 

[MichaelT]

Of course we went under gantrys to the booths to take tickets or pay the little ones like the €1.50.
I just don't remember seeing THAT type of gantry.
And we did a lot of tolls.
Every payment was charged at Class 4, so the system knew.

Another give away is a big sign saying how much the toll is going to be if you saw any signs like that?

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[bobnick]

Another give away is a big sign saying how much the toll is going to be if you saw any signs like that?

Again, of course we saw them.
I doubt very much if we missed any, we are well travelled, especially on toll roads.

 

[ivorantony]

We stayed in the car park at the terminal in Seixal and took the ferry across - €6.50 return and 20 minutes - which drops you on the waterfront right in the centre.

+1 great place for a stop over, there is a new Aire just being completed across the road, could well be open now,

 

[Orion]

+1 great place for a stop over, there is a new Aire just being completed across the road, could well be open now,

Agree very handy for central Lisbon but avoids the crowds. I saw the entrance to the new dedicated moho parking but it wasn’t open when we left last week.

 

[JJ]

The north of Portugal has the original toll charge system of taking a ticket on entry and paying on exit.

Further south you get into electronic control automatically charging toll systems where you log in your number and credit/debit card somehow or have a dongle thingy.

My van is Portuguese and I have a dongle thingy... (takes money from my bank directly. I just drive on either type of toll road... don't have to do anything!)

JJ

 

[bobnick]

The north of Portugal has the original toll charge system of taking a ticket on entry and paying on exit.

Further south you get into electronic control automatically charging toll systems where you log in your number and credit/debit card somehow or have a dongle thingy.

My van is Portuguese and I have a dongle thingy... (takes money from my bank directly. I just drive on either type of toll road... don't have to do anything!)

JJ

We did a left at Lisbon.

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[Riverbankannie]

Beginning to get a bit concerned about the weather we might expect when we arrive for our Portugal trip on the 25th.

 

[bobnick]

Heard it's going to get a bit wet in Benni in the next week or so, great, just when we get there.

 

[OldCodger]

Oh b@@@@@@r. We’re heading back there next week!

 

[VXman]

Thread resurrection - I was googling the law on 'wild camping' in Portugal and came across this thread.

Portugal has really developed it's Area Servico Autocaravanas sites and travelling done the east side we found official free parks with water, dump and sometimes free electric plentiful. These are less common once you hit the south coast area.

However, it appears that wild camping is allowed for up to 48 hours with some areas restricted.

Some sources:

'Wild camping in Portugal (free overnight stays outside designated areas) is now mostly illegal in Portugal. The law (Decree-Law 102-B/2020) was updated to prohibit overnight stays in campervans outside authorized areas, especially in natural parks and along the coastline. However, a 2021 revision (Law No. 66/2021) now allows overnight stays in campervans for up to 48 hours in the same municipality, unless local regulations state otherwise.

Violating these rules can result in fines ranging from €60 to €600, with stricter enforcement in popular tourist areas.

That said, there are still ways to enjoy Portugal in a campervan legally—without relying solely on expensive campsites.'

Wild camping Portugal 2025 - Is wild camping allowed?

Wild camping Portugal 2025: What are the camping rules in Portugal? Is wild camping still allowed? Rules and tips for safe camping holidays in Portugal.

oceancamper.com

And:

'Yes, wild camping is once again allowed in Portugal, with exceptions. As per amendments to Portugal’s Highway Code articles 48 and 50-A approved in July 2021, “overnight stays in motorhomes approved by the IMT (Institute of Mobility and Transport) for a maximum period of 48 hours are allowed”. Wild camping is still banned on lands belonging to the Natura 2000 network, protected areas and areas covered by the Coastal Development Plans. Violations on these lands can result in a fine between 120 to 600 euros.'

Wild Camping in Portugal - New Laws & Rules (2025)

Want to wild camp in Portugal? Avoid hefty fines. Stay up to date with recent changes to wild camping in Portugal Laws. Updated: January 2025.

www.siestacampers.com

 

[Barriesimpson]

We are currently in Spain for first time in winter and we have found it to be busier than summer. Camp sites are full on the coast but ok inland, beaches are packed with some having 100+ vans on.

We actually prefer the inland and mountain sites, we see too much of the sea and beaches at home.

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[MichaelT]

We actually prefer the inland and mountain sites, we see too much of the sea and beaches at home.

Unfortunately we don't especially in winter

 

[David and Sally]

We really enjoy heading up to the mountains from our coastal sites in Spain, but the colours and scenery of the coast around the Mar Menor and Med coast is why we have headed down to that area the last two years.

 

[OldCodger]

I saw something recently which may explain the issue, there’s a difference between PARKING and Camping. As long as you don’t undertake any camping behaviour such as canopies out etc you can park for 48 hours. Sleeping in a parked vehicles is allowed.

The exact definition of camping behaviour is “flexible” but outside cooking and seating seem to be banned.

 

[Barriesimpson]

I saw something recently which may explain the issue, there’s a difference between PARKING and Camping. As long as you don’t undertake any camping behaviour such as canopies out etc you can park for 48 hours. Sleeping in a parked vehicles is allowed.

The exact definition of camping behaviour is “flexible” but outside cooking and seating seem to be banned.

Much the same in Spain.

 

[nicholsong]

Thread resurrection - I was googling the law on 'wild camping' in Portugal and came across this thread.

Portugal has really developed it's Area Servico Autocaravanas sites and travelling done the east side we found official free parks with water, dump and sometimes free electric plentiful. These are less common once you hit the south coast area.

However, it appears that wild camping is allowed for up to 48 hours with some areas restricted.

Some sources:

'Wild camping in Portugal (free overnight stays outside designated areas) is now mostly illegal in Portugal. The law (Decree-Law 102-B/2020) was updated to prohibit overnight stays in campervans outside authorized areas, especially in natural parks and along the coastline. However, a 2021 revision (Law No. 66/2021) now allows overnight stays in campervans for up to 48 hours in the same municipality, unless local regulations state otherwise.

Violating these rules can result in fines ranging from €60 to €600, with stricter enforcement in popular tourist areas.

That said, there are still ways to enjoy Portugal in a campervan legally—without relying solely on expensive campsites.'

Wild camping Portugal 2025 - Is wild camping allowed?

Wild camping Portugal 2025: What are the camping rules in Portugal? Is wild camping still allowed? Rules and tips for safe camping holidays in Portugal.

oceancamper.com

And:

'Yes, wild camping is once again allowed in Portugal, with exceptions. As per amendments to Portugal’s Highway Code articles 48 and 50-A approved in July 2021, “overnight stays in motorhomes approved by the IMT (Institute of Mobility and Transport) for a maximum period of 48 hours are allowed”. Wild camping is still banned on lands belonging to the Natura 2000 network, protected areas and areas covered by the Coastal Development Plans. Violations on these lands can result in a fine between 120 to 600 euros.'

Wild Camping in Portugal - New Laws & Rules (2025)

Want to wild camp in Portugal? Avoid hefty fines. Stay up to date with recent changes to wild camping in Portugal Laws. Updated: January 2025.

www.siestacampers.com

I wonder whether any members who are Portugal residents or frequent visitors now the reason for the relaxation so soon after the restrictions were implemented?

Could it be lack of campsite pitches, as I queried in a post about a year ago?

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[Mleabon]

We are heading there at the end of this month.
I hope it's not as bad as descrided as it's been decades since we were last there.
One advantage of Portugal, you can get out within a few hours.

We went last year in June and had no problems at all. You might not be able to wild camp but there were quite a few places with free designated motorhome parking. We did book ahead for Porto and Lisbon but everywhere else we booked or parked up on the day.

 

[bobnick]

We went last year in June and had no problems at all. You might not be able to wild camp but there were quite a few places with free designated motorhome parking. We did book ahead for Porto and Lisbon but everywhere else we booked or parked up on the day.

We did go and did not book anywhere.
We don't do car park parking unless there is nothing else. Only stayed on sites. Never had an issue booking.