From 23 October, Portugal's taxi fare system will follow new rules on how journeys are priced.
However, passengers should not expect every taxi to switch to the revised tariffs on the same day, as operators have until January to update their meters.
The changes are set out in Regulation No. 1324-A/2026, published in the Diário da República on 13 October by the Mobility and Transport Authority (AMT).
As reported by 24 Notícias, the new framework introduces a national reference system while allowing local transport authorities to establish specific fares for their areas.
Under the revised model, the final price is calculated by combining a fixed starting charge, the distance travelled, and the total journey duration, with the time component varying by day and time, while higher rates apply at night, on weekends, and on public holidays.
Journey cost
The national reference tariff sets a starting charge of €2, plus €0.73 per kilometre and €0.34 per minute during weekday daytime hours.
However, a transitional arrangement applies during the first year, with the regulation setting rates of €0.58 per kilometre and €0.28 per minute before the relevant adjustments.
Local authorities can also set their own tariffs, so journey costs may vary by area.
The reference rates for the time component rise to €0.42 per minute on weekday nights, €0.50 per minute during daytime hours on weekends and public holidays, and €0.59 per minute at night during those periods.
Daytime runs from 7am to 10pm, while the night tariff applies between 10 pm and 7 am.
The €0.80 supplement for telephone bookings and advance reservations, including those made through applications, will remain in place.
Capacity conditions
These changes also affect larger vehicles, as previous rules linked higher tariffs to passenger capacity.
The revised regulation clarifies that the additional charge applies only when more than four passengers are travelling.
When that condition is met, the starting charge and price per kilometre double, while the time-based component remains unchanged.
Therefore, a larger vehicle carrying four passengers or fewer must use the standard tariff.
Digital bookings
The new rules also clarify how digital platforms can price taxi journeys.
Depending on the service, passengers may be offered a fixed price agreed in advance, a meter-calculated fare, or another pricing formula based on transparent, verifiable criteria.
Platforms must provide clear information about the price and how it is calculated, including driver and vehicle details, while passengers must also have access to journey tracking and complaint mechanisms.
This framework is intended to make fares easier to understand and improve transparency when booking a taxi online.
Transition period
Although the regulation takes effect on 23 October, operators have up to 90 days to adapt their taximeters, with updates due by 21 January 2027.
As the National Association of Road Transport Operators in Light Vehicles (ANTRAL) explained, the new framework replaces the previous regulation approved in June and retains the core principle of calculating fares using both distance and time.
This transition means passengers should check the fare information displayed inside their taxi rather than assume every vehicle is already operating under the revised tariff.