Portugal has a large network of electronic tolls, and on several motorways there is no booth to stop at and no way to pay in cash. That is why every rental car here comes with a toll device, and why it appears as a separate line on your rental agreement.
The E-Toll Via Verde service
All AUTOPORTRENT rental vehicles are equipped with a device that can be used to pay tolls in mainland Portugal. The service is not included in the rental price. At the start of the agreement, in addition to the rental amount and any extras, you are charged a compulsory service fee of 2,00 EUR per day, VAT included, for the E-Toll Via Verde service.
The tolls you actually use are charged separately, to your credit card, at the end of the rental.
The toll deposit
An additional security deposit for tolls is compulsory. The amount is shown in the details of each vehicle group and is typically 200€. It is blocked on your credit card and released within 30 days of the vehicle being returned, because remaining toll usage can still come through during that period.
The Mercedes S 580e is the exception in our fleet: the Via Verde device is included with that vehicle. Prices for it are quoted on request.
Who pays a traffic fine
As the holder of the rental agreement, you are responsible for paying all traffic offences committed during the rental. If a fine is not paid, the responsible authority issues a notification in the name of AUTOPORTRENT, since we are the owner of the vehicle.
When we receive such a notification for an offence committed during your rental, we identify the driver to the authority so that a new notification can be issued in your name as the holder of the agreement. From that point the matter is handled directly between you and the authority. We are not part of the conversation and we cannot pay or contest the fine for you.
The handling charge
There is an administrative cost to that process. The ADFEE charge of 59€ per file covers the management and reporting of traffic offences, parking notices and unpaid tolls. It does not include the value of the offence itself, which you pay directly to the relevant authority. Copies of the notification files are supplied on request.
How to keep it simple
- Assume any motorway you join may be electronically tolled, and let the device handle it.
- Pay parking properly. Parking notices reach us the same way traffic fines do, and attract the same handling charge.
- Keep the credit card used for the deposit open and valid for at least 30 days after the rental ends, so the final toll charge can be settled.
- If you plan to drive into Spain, that is a separate matter: see our article on cross-border driving.
The complete list of charges is set out in the Terms and Conditions.