Exchange a Brazilian CNH for a Portuguese License

Thousands of Brazilians arrive in Portugal every year aiming to drive for Uber or Bolt — and soon discover that the CNH alone isn't enough to drive professionally.

Since February 2026, with the new mutual recognition agreement between Portugal and Brazil, exchanging your CNH for a Portuguese driving license has become simpler. In this guide we walk through the whole process, step by step, with timelines, real costs, and what it means for anyone who wants to be a TVDE driver.

Can I drive in Portugal with just my Brazilian CNH?

For personal use, yes — within limits. Anyone entering Portugal can drive with a valid CNH for the first 185 days. After obtaining a residence permit, you may keep driving on the Brazilian license as long as:

• The CNH is valid (not expired)
• Fewer than 15 years have passed since issuance or last renewal
• You are under 60 years old

Why Uber and Bolt drivers must exchange the license

TVDE driving is a regulated professional activity. To do it legally, knowing how to drive isn't enough: you need a Portuguese category B license with the Group II endorsement (the so-called restriction 997), which authorizes paid passenger transport.

The catch is that the Group II endorsement can only be requested on a Portuguese license. So before requesting the endorsement, a Brazilian driver must first exchange the CNH for the Portuguese license. It's a prerequisite many discover too late.

If you don't yet know this requirement, read our complete guide on the Group II endorsement — it covers the documents, costs and timeline of that next step.

What changed with Decree No. 4/2026

In February 2026, Decree No. 4/2026 formalized mutual recognition of driving licenses between Portugal and Brazil. In practice, the Brazilian CNH became formally recognized in Portugal, which made the exchange process faster and less bureaucratic.

The most important change for anyone with a CNH issued from 18 May 2017 onward (with a QR code on the back): the authenticity declaration from Brazilian consulates is no longer required. The request can be made directly on the IMTonline portal.

Documents required for the exchange

To submit the CNH exchange request, you'll need to gather:

1. Valid original CNH (matching the category of the license you want)
2. ID document — passport or Residence Permit
3. Proof of residence in Portugal — rental contract, Junta de Freguesia declaration, or a Portal das Finanças document
4. NIF (Portuguese tax identification number)
5. Electronic Medical Certificate (AME) issued by a practising doctor
6. Psychological Aptitude Certificate (CAP) — required for Group II / professional driving
7. CNH authenticity declaration — only if the license has no QR code

How to exchange the CNH step by step (IMTonline)

Step 1 — Medical exam (AME)

Book an appointment to obtain the Electronic Medical Certificate. If you already plan to drive TVDE, ask for the Group II (code 997) indication right away so you don't have to repeat the exam later. The doctor submits the certificate electronically into the IMT system.

Step 2 — Psychological assessment (CAP)

For professional driving, book the assessment with a psychologist. The certificate is submitted electronically, just like the AME.

Step 3 — Submit the request on IMTonline

Go to the IMTonline portal, choose the exchange of a foreign driving title option, upload the documents and pay the fee. For a CNH with a QR code, you don't need to hand in any paperwork at a counter.

Step 4 — Provisional driving permit

Once submitted, you receive a replacement permit that lets you drive legally in Portugal while the definitive license is being processed.

Step 5 — Receive the Portuguese license

The definitive license is mailed to the address you provided. From there, you can move on to the Group II endorsement.

Video: how to exchange the CNH for the Portuguese license

To complement this guide, here's a Portuguese-language video showing the IMTonline request step by step:

How long does it take? A realistic timeline

The total time depends mostly on booking the appointments and on the IMT review. With everything organized, most drivers complete the process in 6 to 10 weeks.

How much does it cost to exchange the CNH in Portugal?

The IMT fee is fixed; the variation comes from the medical and psychological appointments. Below is a realistic estimate for someone going into TVDE — already including the Group II endorsement fee, which is the next step:

After the exchange: the Group II endorsement

With the Portuguese license in hand, one last regulatory step remains before you can accept trips: the Group II endorsement. It's what legally authorizes paid passenger transport.

The good news is that if you already requested the AME with the Group II indication and the CAP during the exchange, most of the work is done. For the full picture of what's left, see our guide on how to start in TVDE in 2026.

Don't put off your exchange

The sooner you start the CNH exchange, the sooner you can start earning. Every week of waiting is money left on the table — and booking the appointments is usually what slows the process down the most.

If you have questions about the exchange, the endorsement, or how to choose the right TVDE operator, our team is here to help.

Have questions about exchanging your CNH or starting in TVDE? Talk to us on WhatsApp — we answer every question.