Portugal raises euro-modular limits to 72 tonnes and 32 metres, in line with Spain

Decree-Law 195/2026, published on 25 September 2026, amends Decree-Law 132/2017 — the regulation setting the maximum weights and dimensions allowed for vehicles operating in Portugal — and raises the limits that apply to combinations in Euro-Modular configuration (heavy goods vehicles with a trailer or semi-trailer, made up of units that individually comply with the normal legal limits).

What changes

According to the Council of Ministers, which approved the decree in January and now confirms the same figures published:

• Maximum length: rises from 25.25 m to 32 m.
• Maximum gross weight: rises from 60 t to 72 t.
• Special transit permit (issued by IMT): validity extended from one to two years.

The change keeps the core of the 2017 regime in place — every vehicle in the combination still has to comply with the individual limits, and operation still requires a special permit and a defined route. According to trade press, the larger combinations may be allowed to carry dangerous goods (including fuels) on specific routes predefined by the authorities.

The aim: aligning with Spain

The government’s statement is explicit: the revision aligns national rules with the model already in force in Spain, which adopted similar figures after technical studies showed larger combinations to be viable and safe. For hauliers moving goods between Portugal and Spain, this removes a source of regulatory mismatch on the Iberian Peninsula — until now, a combination sized to Spanish limits could exceed what Portuguese law allowed.

What changes for drivers

Coming into force doesn’t do away with prior authorisation: operators still need to apply to IMT for the special transit permit, now valid for two years instead of one. Operators already running Euro-Modular combinations in Spain should check with IMT whether their equipment and route meet the new limits before putting them into service in Portugal.