Everything You Need To Know About Tolls and Using Via Verde

Happy weekend, guys! Carnival is officially over, but not the rain, at least where we live. We just stocked up on more firewood to survive Portugal’s second winter (also known as "spring").

While we wait for the sun to return, here’s what’s inside today’s newsletter: must-know upcoming events, an insider’s guide to Via Verde, and some essential driving tips to help you blend in like a local.

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Ready? Let’s dive in!

📷 Pic of the week

Praia de Nossa Senhora—it’s a beautiful and huge beach close to Zambujeira do Mar, a little town located in the Vicentina Coast, Portugal.

📰 What’s Happening

GASTRONOMY

🍫 The Óbidos International Chocolate Festival transforms the medieval town into a paradise for chocolate lovers, featuring stunning themed chocolate sculptures, interactive workshops, and live cooking demonstrations by top chefs. Visitors can indulge in tastings, shop for unique chocolate creations, and enjoy pairings with wine, coffee, and beer. The event also hosts prestigious competitions like "Chocolatier of the Year," while families can enjoy kid-friendly activities, live entertainment, and a dedicated children’s area. Each edition embraces a unique theme, adding a creative twist to the festivities. The event takes place from 21 March to 6 April 2025.

🍻 Tasquinhas de Rio Maior is a significant cultural and gastronomic event held annually in Rio Maior, Portugal. The 39th edition of this event will take place from March 28 to April 6, 2025. This event attracts around 100,000 visitors each year and features traditional local cuisine, including dishes like ensopado de borrego, cabrito serrano, enguias fritas, chanfana, dobrada com feijão branco, favas, polvo, and bacalhau assado

SPORT

🚲️ Algarve Bike Challenge – Tavira: The Algarve Bike Challenge is a prestigious mountain bike event taking place from March 11-13, 2025, in Tavira, Algarve, Portugal. This three-day stage race is part of the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) calendar and is considered the most important mountain bike event in Portugal

🏄️ MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal: This is the third stop on the 2025 World Surf League Championship Tour and will be held in Peniche at Praia de Supertubos from 15 - 25 March. This beach is famous for its large, tubular-shaped waves.

🏍️ Superbike World Championship: This will be held at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão, Portugal, from March 28-30, 2025. This event marks the second race of the 2025 season, following the season opener in Australia

🏡 Lifestyle: Eat, Pray, Love—and everything in between

🚗 Via Verde in Portugal: Your Fast Pass to Sanity on the Roads

If you’re not already using the Via Verde tag when driving in Portugal, my story below might just convince you to get yours before hitting the road. Let me explain.

A Toll-Filled Nightmare

Our first road trip in Portugal should’ve been about sightseeing, but it wasn’t. It was about survival.

First, we were suddenly driving on the right side of the road (a cruel joke for South Africans used to the left). Then, to make things even more fun, we hit the highway back home to Alcobaça from Porto as the sun was setting. A 2.5-hour trip turned into an epic battle of tolls, ramps, and bad navigation, finally getting home in the middle of the night.

The first hiccup was when the fuel light came on. We assumed there’d be plenty of gas stations en route. Nope, there weren’t. Then, our bank cards wouldn’t work at the tolls, and cash was running low. And Google Maps? The worst navigator ever. When the voice told us to “exit the traffic circle,” we did, one exit too early, sending us back toward Porto for an extra 70km joyride.

Low on fuel, frustrated, and lost—again. Another wrong turn. Then another bridge. I was on the brink of tears. And Wayne? Let’s just say his stress responses aren’t pleasant to listen to.

Then came the final straw: another toll. We scratched around in the dark for change, swearing we’d never drive on the highways again. We found just enough cash and sighed with relief as we left the tollbooth behind us, only to end up on another ramp. And oh, these ramps. They make you go north to go south, which is a complete mind-bender in the dead of night.

Eventually, you get used to the ramps and tolls, but if I can give you some advice? Do your first few road trips during the day.

But wait, it’s not over. Then Came the Letter…

A few months later, a registered letter arrived for unpaid tolls. It turns out we drove on some highways where a camera snaps a photo of your license plate, and if you don’t check online and pay up, you’ll get hit with extra fees.

I’m hoping to spare you all of this with today’s Via Verde guide: why you need it, how to get it, and even some tips seasoned users might not know.

So, without further ado, here’s everything I wish we’d known before that agonizing road trip.

🤔 What is Via Verde?

Via Verde (literally "Green Way") is Portugal’s electronic toll payment system that lets you breeze through tolls without stopping to pay at a booth. Just attach a small transponder to your windshield, and you’re ready to go. No more fumbling for coins or stressing about post-trip toll payments

🎯 Why Should You Get It?

✅ Time-Saving: Skip queues at toll booths and drive through dedicated lanes at speeds of up to 60 km/h.

✅ Convenience: Payments are automatic, so no need to carry cash or stop at post offices to pay later.

✅ Multi-Purpose: Beyond tolls, Via Verde can be used for:

• Parking (street and car parks via the app)

• Fuel Payments (GALP stations)

• McDonald’s Drive-Thrus

• Ferries & Mobility Services

✅ Cost Efficiency: Avoid additional fees associated with manual toll payments.

🚦 How Does It Work?

1️⃣ Get a Tag – Buy or rent one online, at service points, or through visitor-specific plans.

2️⃣ Install It – Attach it to your windshield as instructed.

3️⃣ Drive Through – Use the green “V” Via Verde lanes on highways and toll roads.

4️⃣ Automatic Payment – The system deducts the toll from your linked bank account or preloaded credit.

⚠️ What Happens If You Don't Use a Via Verde Tag Or You Accidentally Use The Via Verde Lane?

• Your license plate is photographed at electronic tolls.

• You must pay manually within 5 days at a CTT post office or PayShop agent, with an extra fee of €0.32 per journey (up to €2.56 per payment).

• Missed the deadline?

  • You’ll get a notification with a €2.21 penalty per journey.

  • If still unpaid, the Portuguese Tax Authority (AT) can issue hefty fines.

🔰 Who Can Use Via Verde?

🚗 Residents: Ideal for locals who frequently use Portuguese motorways.

🌎️ Visitors: Temporary tags are available through the "Via Verde Visitors" program—perfect for tourists or those with foreign license plates. These tags have no minimum term or expiry date and are linked to your credit card for easy payment

Benefits Beyond Tolls

• Parking Made Easy – Skip tickets, pay street parking via the Via Verde app.

• Parking Buddy – The app helps you find nearby spots.

• Fuel Payments – Pay at select gas stations for a seamless refueling experience.

• Drive-Thru Convenience – Tap & pay at McDonald's without cash or cards.

🛠️ How to Get Via Verde

Registering for a Tag

1️⃣ Visit the Via Verde website.

2️⃣ Choose your plan ("Via Verde Visitors" for non-residents).

3️⃣ Provide your details:

• Email (used for your Via Verde account)

• Billing Address

• Vehicle Information (license plate, class)

4️⃣ Select your delivery option.

5️⃣ Pay via credit card.

Receiving And Activating the Tag

Delivery Time – Up to 15 working days (international shipping). You’ll get an email confirmation when your tag is shipped.

🏧 Activating the Tag at a Multibanco (ATM)

1️⃣ Go to a Multibanco (ATM) in Portugal.

2️⃣ Insert your bank card & enter your PIN.

3️⃣ Select "Pagamentos e Outros Serviços" → "Transportes" → "Via Verde" → "Ativação".

4️⃣ Enter the activation reference number from your tag.

5️⃣ Confirm the transaction.

Note: Activation may take 2-3 days to become effective. You can also activate the tag through your online banking if supported by your bank.

Using Via Verde On The Road

• Install the tag on your windshield.

• Approach a toll gate marked with the green "V" Via Verde sign.

• Drive through at up to 60 km/h (unless you're Portuguese—then it's a race).

• A green light means success! A yellow light? Check your Via Verde account for issues.

🚀 Final Verdict: Get It or Regret It

If you're driving in Portugal regularly, Via Verde is absolutely essential. It saves time, avoids fines, and makes your trips stress-free. Unless you love standing in lines or enjoy surprise fines, do yourself a favor and go green. 🌿🚗

🛠 Local Tips & Tricks

🔦 Blinkers (indicators) are optional (apparently). Don’t assume the car in front of you will indicate before turning.

🚦 Roundabouts have rules. No one follows them. Learn them, but don’t expect others to.

🅿️ Master the art of creative parking - if there's a sliver of space, a Portuguese driver will find a way to fit

Want to Share Your Business with Expats in Portugal?

If you have a business or service that could help expats thrive in Portugal, we’d love to hear from you! We're currently offering a special on advertising slots, so if your business is a great fit for our readers, we’d be happy to feature you.

Interested? Get in touch by replying to this email to learn more!

💰 The Hustle Fund — Money, Taxes, and all things Financial

🪙 Tax Refund for Non-Resident Investors:

Sold property in Portugal between 2021-2022? You could be owed a big tax refund!

A recent EU ruling lets non-residents reclaim 50% of the capital gains tax they paid. But time is limited, check if you qualify and claim your refund.

Coming Up: Everything You Need to Know About The Digital Nomad Visa (D8), Expert Article

Stay tuned for Fresh Portugal’s in-depth March article, where they break down everything you need to know about Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa, including:

✅ Visa and Legal Requirements

✅ Taxation and Financial Considerations

✅ Challenges and Considerations

✅ And lots more!

Know someone who would be interested in learning more about the D8 Visa? Please share this newsletter with them so they don’t miss the juicy info when it goes out later this March!

🗣 Lost in Lingo

In this video, you’ll pick up essential vocabulary for your next road trip. Now that you’ve got your Via Verde tag, all that’s left is to brush up on a few key words to keep your journey smooth and stress-free. Pair this lesson with our Via Verde guide, and you'll be road-trip ready in no time! 🚗💨

…And That’s All Folks

A quick note on why you should absolutely learn to speak more Portuguese:

Thanks for reading! 💌

Hustle on!

Angelique🧞‍♀️

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