From January 1, 2025, Portugal has officially lifted tolls on many of its motorways and dual carriageways, marking the end of a policy that had been in place for over 14 years. The decision, approved by the Portuguese Parliament in May 2024 and published in the Diário da República on August 7, 2024, aims to alleviate travel costs for motorists and improve traffic distribution across the national road network.
Roads where tolls have been lifted
The toll exemption applies to the following motorways and sections:
- A4: Transmontana and Túnel do Marão.
- A13 and A13-1: Pinhal Interior.
- A22: Via do Infante (Algarve).
- A23: Beira Interior.
- A24: Interior North.
- A25: Beiras Litoral and Alta.
- A28: North Coast, specifically the sections between Esposende and Antas, and Neiva and Darque.
Roads where tolls remain
Tolls continue to apply in the Porto area and on the following roads:
- A28: Esposende-Oporto section.
- A41.
- A42.
- A29.
The toll system, introduced in late 2010, followed the European bailout of Portugal and the intervention of the Community Troika in the country’s economic policies during the 2008 financial crisis. Known as “SCUTs” (Sem Custos para o Utilizador – No Cost to the User), the tolls were implemented electronically and applied to all vehicle categories, causing widespread discontent among users and businesses.
The recent decision to eliminate tolls reflects growing opposition to the system, which many argued unfairly burdened motorists in areas with limited alternative routes. The government has focused on providing free access to motorways where no viable alternatives exist to ensure safe and efficient travel.
€1.106 billion added cost due to tolls removal
While the measure has been widely welcomed, it is not without financial consequences. According to an analysis by the Technical Project Monitoring Unit (UTAP), supervised by the Ministry of Finance, the end of tolls will increase the costs of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) by €1.106 billion, which will be covered through taxpayers’ contributions. Critics argue that the indirect financial burden on citizens raises concerns about long-term economic sustainability.
In the Algarve, where the A22 tolls were highly contested, the Via do Infante Users Commission (CUVI) organised celebratory protests and urged the dismantling of toll gantries to prevent their reinstatement. The Commission emphasised that free motorway access is crucial for regional economic development and social equity.
The government’s decision aligns with similar toll removals in Spain, where significant sections of the motorway network have been toll-free since 2018. As Portugal’s toll-free motorways come into effect, the focus will now shift to monitoring its economic and social outcomes in the coming years.
Photo credits @ Fábio Gregório, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons