At the beginning of May, the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal approved a proposal from the Socialist Party (in opposition since the legislative elections in March) to eliminate tolls on the so-called SCUT (No User Cost) highways, in which the Portuguese State covered the tolls.
The proposal, a political setback for the conservative Government of Luís Montenegro, was approved with the votes of the socialists, the far-right Chega, the Communist Party of Portugal, the Left and Free Bloc and the abstention of the Liberal Initiative, while the ruling Social Democratic Party (PSD, conservative) and its allies from the Democratic and Social Center-Popular Party (CDS-PP) voted against the withdrawal.
However, on the Spanish side of the border, the announcement of the withdrawal of tolls on some sections of Portugal’s motorways, which will come into force on January 1, 2025, has been received as “great news” that will contribute to the economic revitalization of the neighboring regions and, as the mayor of Huelva, Pilar Miranda, pointed out, it means “bringing together two sister regions that must be united.”
On which highways in Portugal will tolls be eliminated?
The abolition of tolls in Portugal from January 2025 it will affect 7 highways. It is important to keep in mind that, although these sections will become free, other high-capacity roads in Portugal will continue to charge tolls.
The elimination of tolls, on the other hand, other Spanish roads will also benefit indirectly from the free use of some highways in Portugal. It is expected that free traffic will increase traffic on this type of road, which could reduce congestion on other Spanish roads that were used as alternatives to avoid a payment that, at the time, was controversial due to the confusion of some drivers.
From north to south and from the coast to the interior, Portugal will have to eliminate toll barriers on seven highways, some of them with a direct connection to Spain:
- The A4 of Transmontana and Marão Tunnel. This highway connects the Spanish province of Zamora with Portugal. It is 110 kilometers long and crosses a mountainous area, which is why it has numerous tunnels and bridges. The most important is the Marão Tunnel which, at 5.7 kilometers, is the longest in Portugal. Inaugurated in 2014, since then it has become an important communication route for the transport of goods and people between both countries.
- The A22 of the Algarve: Also known as Vía del Infante or Vía Longitudinal del Algarve, this Portuguese highway runs through the region from west to east: 137 kilometers in length that ends in Andalusia. It is a key communication route for tourism and, as pointed out The Seville Diarythe municipality of Ayamonte will be one of the most benefited by the elimination of tolls.
- The highway A24 North Interior It reaches the province of Ourense, in Spain. With a length of 110 kilometers it connects Vila Real with Guarda and is the longest highway in Portugal that does not pass through a metropolitan area.
- The A25 from Beira Litoral and Alta: Also known as Autovía del Litoral Centro, it connects Aveiro with the Spanish border at Fuentes de Oñoro (near Salamanca). With approximately 170 kilometers in length, it is an important communication route for tourist traffic between Spain and Portugal.
- The A28 by Minho: Vital communication route for those traveling between Galicia and Porto. This highway connects the main city in northern Portugal with Vigo on the Esposende-Antas and Neiva-Darque sections, where tolls will no longer be collected from January 2025, which will mean a saving of two euros per trip.
- The A13 of Pinhal Interior: Although there is no direct link connecting this highway to the Spanish road network, it is close to 15 kilometers from the border with Spain, near the province of Zamora. The highway is located entirely in Portuguese territory, connecting Marateca with Almeirim (provisionally, its final destination will be Coimbra).
- The A23 of Beira Interior: It also does not have a direct connection to the Spanish road network, but its proximity to Salamanca and its location make it a fundamental route for the transport of goods and people.
