In Portugal, fog lights may only be switched on when fog, heavy rain, snow, smoke or dust make visibility insufficient, by day or by night (the rear one only in dense fog or very poor visibility).
Using them without such a reason means a fine of €30 to €150. Failing to use them when the weather calls for it means the same fine and can also be treated as a serious offence, with 2 points off your licence.
This guide explains what the Portuguese Highway Code says, how to recognise the front and rear fog light symbols on the dashboard, how to switch them on, and the mistakes that cause the most fines and near misses on foggy mornings.
When to use fog lights: what the law says
The rules are in articles 60 and 61 of the Portuguese Highway Code (Código da Estrada). Article 61 requires lights from dusk to dawn and also during the day whenever weather or environmental conditions make visibility insufficient. The law gives concrete examples:
- fog;
- heavy rain;
- falling snow;
- clouds of smoke or dust, such as near a wildfire or on a dirt road.
In those conditions, they must be used whenever the conditions demand it, on cars required to have them. At the same time, paragraph 2 of the same article bans them when the weather or environmental conditions do not justify them.
Portuguese law does not set a visibility distance at which they go on. It is left to the driver, and the officer judges it on the road. A practical rule: if you can no longer see the car ahead or the road markings a few dozen metres away, it is time to switch them on.
On days of persistent fog, the IPMA weather service issues warnings by district. Before an early winter drive, especially inland and near rivers, check the IPMA weather warnings.
Front fog light and rear fog light
The Highway Code treats the two separately, because they do different jobs:
- front: lights up the road better in fog or other low-visibility situations. The beam is low and wide, so it does not bounce back off the fog and shows the verge and lane markings;
- rear: makes the car more visible in dense fog or when visibility is significantly reduced. It is a very bright red light, usually a single one.
In practice, almost every car has a rear one, while front fog lights are optional equipment on many models. If your car has no front fog lights, use dipped headlights.
How are they different from dipped and main beam?
In fog, dipped headlights stay on at all times and fog lights are added to them. Main beam is a bad idea: the light hits the water droplets and comes back into your eyes like a white wall. On which light colours are allowed at the front, see our article on the permitted colour of main beam headlights.
Fog light symbols on the dashboard
The symbols are the same on almost every make. Both show a lamp crossed by a wavy line, which stands for fog:
- front: a green symbol, with the lamp facing left and the beams slanting downwards;
- rear: a yellow or orange symbol, with the lamp facing right and straight horizontal beams.
The colour is a handy reminder: green only confirms the light is on; amber is a warning, because the rear light dazzles drivers behind and should not be left on by mistake. For the other symbols, see our guide to dashboard warning lights and what each one means.
How to switch on fog lights
The control varies from car to car, but there are three usual layouts:
- a rotary switch on the dashboard, left of the steering wheel: turn on the dipped headlights, pull the knob once for the front light and twice for the rear;
- a ring on the indicator stalk: turn the ring to the symbol you want;
- separate buttons on the dashboard or centre console, one for each light.
On most cars they only come on with the side lights or dipped headlights on. If your headlights are set to automatic and the light will not come on, select dipped beam. If in doubt, the owner's manual shows the right control.
Fog light fines in Portugal: how much
The fines are set in article 61 itself and in the list of offences published by ANSR, the road safety authority:
- using them when conditions do not justify it: a fine of €30 to €150, no points;
- not using the required lights when visibility is insufficient: a fine of €30 to €150. Article 145 of the Code classifies driving without the lights in paragraph 1 of article 61 in those conditions as a serious offence, and fog lights are in that paragraph;
- if it is treated as serious: 2 points off your licence and a driving ban of 1 month to 1 year;
- using main beam when meeting another car or less than 100 metres behind the car ahead: a fine of €60 to €300;
- driving with a faulty light, including these: a fine of €30 to €150.
A serious offence is the costliest outcome, because a licence starts with 12 points and lost points do not come back quickly. See how they work in our guide to driving licence points in Portugal.
Speed in fog: lights alone are not enough
Article 24 of the Highway Code requires you to adapt your speed to the weather so that you can stop within the clear road you can see ahead. Failing to do so risks a fine of €120 to €600, even below the posted limit. The fines by band are in our guide to speeding fines in Portugal.
On the road in fog:
- leave a bigger gap to the car ahead: in fog, pile-ups almost always start with short gaps;
- do not overtake unless you can see the road clear ahead;
- use the lines on the right as a guide rather than following the lights of the car ahead;
- if the fog closes in completely, leave the road for a safe place such as a service area, and switch on your hazard lights once stopped.
A windscreen misting up on the inside cuts visibility even further. Turn on the air conditioning with the air directed at the windscreen, as we explain in our article on how to demist your car windows.
Common fog light mistakes
- leaving the rear light on after the fog lifts: it dazzles the driver behind and masks your brake lights. Switch it off as soon as you can see well again;
- using the rear light in a queue with a car right behind you: if that driver can already see you, the light only dazzles them;
- using the front ones as decoration at night in dry weather: that is exactly what paragraph 2 of article 61 bans;
- relying on daytime running lights: many do not turn on the rear lights. In fog, always switch on dipped headlights.
Buying a used car: check the lighting
On used cars, the rear one is among the lights most likely to fail without the owner noticing, because it cannot be seen from the driver's seat. Before you buy, switch it on and ask someone to check at the back. If you want front fog lights, check the car has them from the factory.
AUTO.MOTO.PT has more than 10,700 used cars for sale, and many listings show the lighting equipment. Always confirm with the seller.
Frequently asked questions
When can I use fog lights in Portugal?
Only when fog, heavy rain, snow, smoke or dust make visibility insufficient, by day or by night.
Which lights are the fog lights?
There are two: the extra low, wide front lamp that lights the road, and the very bright red rear lamp that makes the car visible.
Can I use fog lights when the weather does not justify it?
No. Article 61 of the Highway Code bans it, with a fine of €30 to €150.
What does the fog light symbol look like?
A lamp crossed by a wavy line: green and facing left for the front light, amber and facing right for the rear one.
What is the fine for not using fog lights?
€30 to €150. If the offence is classed as serious, you also lose 2 points and risk a driving ban of 1 month to 1 year.
Can I use fog lights in the rain?
Yes, if the rain is heavy and visibility is insufficient. In light rain with good visibility, no.
