The Uber law is the popular name for law no. 45/2018, of 10 August, which created the legal framework for TVDE in Portugal, the transport of passengers booked through electronic platforms. The name stuck because the law was born, precisely, to regulate the activity that Uber (and later Bolt and others) brought to Portugal from 2014, after years of conflict with the taxi sector. Strictly speaking, the law applies to all platforms and not only to Uber.
What the Uber law says today
In force since 1 November 2018, the law requires drivers certified by the IMT with training and a licence held for more than 3 years, licensed vehicles up to 7 years old bearing a badge, operators set up as companies, and it limits the platforms' commission to 25%. The full detail of the current regime is inlaw 45/2018 explained.
What changes with the 2026 revision
- 50 hours of training with an exam of 30 questions and a minimum mark of 27;
- a functional command of the Portuguese language mandatory for drivers;
- vehicles up to 10 years old (12 if electric) and a tamper-proof anti-fraud badge;
- the end of the legal dynamic pricing cap and a 25% commission calculated on the value excluding VAT;
- taxis may now operate on the platforms and fines rise to up to 44,000 euros.
The revision was approved in the final global vote on 17 July 2026, was signed by the President of the Republic on 18 August 2026 and awaits publication in the official gazette (Diário da República). The process, the vote and the reactions are in the new law, from parliament to the official gazette.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Uber law and the TVDE law the same thing?
Yes. Uber law is the popular name for law no. 45/2018, which created the legal framework for TVDE in Portugal. The official name never mentions Uber; the label stuck because it was the company that prompted the regulation.
What changes in the Uber law in 2026?
On 17 July 2026, parliament approved the largest ever revision of the law: training with an exam, mandatory Portuguese for drivers, vehicles up to 10 years old, the end of the dynamic pricing cap, taxis on the platforms and fines of up to 44,000 euros. The revision was signed by the President of the Republic on 18 August 2026 and awaits publication in the official gazette (Diário da República).