Portuguese Automatic Tolls
Members travelling in Portugal on the A22 along the Algarve may like to be warned about using EMovis (formerly SANEF) toll tags. The tolling system uses automatic number plate recognition using cameras mounted on gantries rather than a barrier system. Having travelled through Spain and Portugal in September, I was billed for Spanish tolls incurred at the beginning of September but not our Portuguese ones towards the end.
Thinking they would appear in a later invoice, I checked our on-line account several times but nothing appeared. Today I telephoned EMovis and they confirmed there was nothing outstanding. They said I could check a Portguese web site mentioned in their FAQ, to see if any tolls were outstanding, mostly a problem with using tags on hire cars.
I found all our Portuguese tolls were outstanding, against our registration number, and so unpaid. EMovis could not explain why the tag had not worked. While on the road we were blissfully unaware of its failure as there were no barriers. It was OK in Spain with barriers.
The consequences: I paid the tolls and a 100% fine for committing the offence of not paying. The tolls were not excessive so the fine wasn't either, but that isn't the point. EMOvis have agreed to reimburse me with the cost of the fine.
if others use this system, be aware that your tag must "bleep" as you pass through the cameras otherwise it will not work properly. Otherwise check with www.vialivre.pt to see if you have any outstanding tolls which may attract a fine. You can pay such tolls on this website using a card, there is an English version of it which is useful. You get a receipt.
peter C
Comments
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Thanks for the info, we don't have a tag but have been to Portugal where we paid tolls on the roads non ANR but never received anything for the other roads.
Having clicked on the link it only gave me a telephone number to call.
Is there anywhere you can put in your registration to see if you have tolls against it?
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My in-laws have an apartment in the Algarve, and the only way you can pay the tolls on the A22 are... At a Post Office (and if you see the queues at Portuguese PO you wouldn't want to do that). We were there in October and drove up to Porto and back, €100 tolls....
Ouch
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Does www.portugaltolls.com have the definitive answer?
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I gave up using Portuguese toll road when our Discovery was classed as an HGV. Like Guzzilazz the cost was astronomical for the distance travelled.
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Doesn't sound like the place to go with a motorhome then unless you stick to minor roads.
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