How can I get a medical certificate to replace my driver’s license?

If you are exchanging a foreign driving licence for a Portuguese one, you may need an Atestado Médico Electrónico — an electronic medical certificate for drivers.

It is issued after an online consultation with a doctor and submitted electronically.

Where can you get the certificate?

1) Centro de Saúde
You can contact the public healthcare system. The main disadvantage is that you may have to wait for an appointment.

2) Private clinic
This is usually faster, but the cost depends on the clinic and the city.

3) Online via NovoDoc
The cost is €45 and the consultation takes approximately 15 minutes. The doctor will assess your health and issue the certificate if there are no medical contraindications.

What does the doctor check?

The doctor assesses your health from the perspective of driving safety, including:

• eyesight and hearing;
• neurological and other medical conditions;
• physical and mental condition;
• any potential medical restrictions or contraindications to driving.

If necessary, the doctor may request additional medical information.

Do you need a paper certificate?

In general, the Atestado Médico Electrónico is submitted electronically to IMT, so you do not need to send a paper copy yourself.

Who is eligible for the service?

To obtain the certificate, you need to have a Portuguese residence permit / temporary protection status / BI, as well as a número de utente (national health service number).

Important

The medical certificate is only one of the documents that may be required when exchanging a driving licence. The specific requirements depend on the country that issued your licence and your individual circumstances.