The Portuguese Government has taken a historic decision to eliminate tolls on most of its motorway and expressway network, maintaining payment only at the entrances to the city of The Portuguese Government has taken a significant step towards improving mobility and accessibility on its motorway network. From 1 January 2025, toll fees will be eliminated on several motorways in the country's interior and on sections where there are no road alternatives that guarantee safety and quality of use. This measure follows the promulgation of the decree approved in Parliament by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Goodbye to tolls on inland highways
The elimination of tolls will affect the following sections of highways:
- A4: Transmontana and Túnel do Marão
- A13 and A13-1: Pinhal Interior
- A22: Algarve
- A23: Beira Interior
- A24: Northern Interior
- A25: Coastal and Upper Beiras
- A28: Miño, in the sections between Esposende and Antas, and between Neiva and Darque
The decree, which repeals the previous regulatory framework from 2023, establishes that these motorways will no longer have a cost for users, prioritising accessibility and the safe use of the national road network.
Positive reactions in the sector
The measure has been welcomed by local organizations such as the SCUT Repositioning Platform on A23 and A25The platform, which considers this decision a "major victory," stated that the elimination of tolls "is a reality, despite the initial reservations of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Prime Minister." According to Luis Garra, a representative of the platform, the elimination of tolls "is now a reality, despite the initial reservations of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Prime Minister."
Expected benefits
With this decision, Portugal seeks to promote greater use of freed-up motorways, especially in inland regions, where these roads are crucial for connectivity. The elimination of tolls will contribute to:
- Strengthening road safety: Redirecting traffic to safer and better quality roads.
- improve mobility: Removing economic barriers for drivers.
- Boosting the local economy: Facilitating the transport of goods and logistics.
A model for Europe
This decision positions Portugal as a benchmark in road infrastructure management. By eliminating tolls in key areas, the country demonstrates how public policies can balance the needs of accessibility, safety and economic development.
From Ryme AutomotiveWe will closely monitor how this measure impacts transport and logistics in the Iberian Peninsula, a strategic area for the development of the industrial vehicle sector.
