Morocco and Portugal sign updated agreement on mutual recognition of driving licences

Thursday 11 June 2026 - 10:00

Morocco and Portugal have strengthened their bilateral cooperation in the field of transport and mobility with the signing of a revised agreement on the mutual recognition of driving licences.

The agreement was signed in Rabat by Morocco’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayouh, and Portugal’s Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz. It updates a previous accord established in 2003 and aims to improve the process of exchanging driving licences between the two countries.

The new framework is designed to address practical difficulties faced by Moroccan citizens residing in Portugal, particularly regarding the conversion of Moroccan driving licences into Portuguese equivalents. Authorities had previously limited the exchange to certain licence categories, creating administrative and technical obstacles for many drivers.

Both countries base the agreement on their shared commitment to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 1968, which establishes international standards for road safety and driving regulations. The updated accord seeks to harmonize procedures and ensure smoother recognition of driving credentials.

According to Morocco’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics, the negotiations were carried out in coordination with the National Road Safety Agency (NARSA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Moroccan Embassy in Lisbon, as well as Portuguese transport authorities.

Officials stated that the revised agreement reflects lessons learned from practical implementation over the years and introduces a more flexible and comprehensive framework for the recognition of driving licences. The goal is to facilitate mobility for citizens living between the two countries while strengthening administrative cooperation.

The agreement also highlights the broader trend of deepening Morocco–Portugal relations, particularly in areas related to transport infrastructure, mobility, and diaspora support. It is expected to ease procedures for thousands of Moroccan residents in Portugal and improve bilateral administrative efficiency.