Law No. 59/2026, of 25 August, amends the previous Law 45/2018 on the activity of paid passenger transport in electronically available vehicles, now called the TVDE Regime, according to the published decree.

Therefore, the new rules for taxi fares, which would come into effect 30 days after the new legal regime for transport through electronic platforms came into force, will take effect on 1 October, according to the transport authority.

New designation

The new law introduces a new name for the TVDE regime - the acronym will now be called Paid Passenger Transport in Electronically Available Vehicles, dropping the previous formulation of unmarked vehicles.

Integration of the taxi sector

Among the biggest changes in the new law, and the one that has been most contested, is the integration of the taxi sector, since these vehicles can be "registered for the TVDE activity, provided they meet the requirements applicable to vehicles allocated to this activity and are registered with a licensed electronic platform manager."

Among other entities related to the taxi and TVDE sector, both the Mobility and Transport Authority (AMT) and the Institute of Mobility and Transport (IMT) argued during the parliamentary hearings that the two regimes are distinct and opposed to including taxis in the new legal regime.

The Secretary of State for Mobility, Cristina Pinto Dias, also acknowledged that the solution of a possible rapprochement between the two sectors "raised challenges" and could not "jeopardise the public service provided by taxis."

Changes to the sticker

Another new feature, which has also generated disagreements, is the sticker, previously removable, with the proposal defining that vehicles used for this activity will circulate "with a non-removable identification sticker, equipped with anti-fraud security elements, namely holographic or technologically equivalent, issued by IMT, visible from the outside and associated with the vehicle registration".

According to the law, the model of this sticker, its technical characteristics, security elements, conditions of issuance, replacement, cancellation and validation, as well as the fee, will be defined by an order from the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, who holds the Mobility portfolio.

Contract signing

On the other hand, the signing of loan and usufruct contracts for the use of TVDE vehicles is prohibited, except for some exceptions.

The law also opens the door to "optional video recording inside vehicles", which may only occur "with the express consent of the driver and passenger, with sound recording prohibited".

The new legislation establishes that future drivers will have to attend a "minimum initial training of 50 hours," with a theoretical and practical component, followed by a final exam consisting of 30 questions. Passing requires at least 27 correct answers.

The road training course will also include verification of functional proficiency in the Portuguese language suitable for a driver's activities.

Data sharing platform

IMT will now manage an electronic data-sharing platform to strengthen the fight against irregular activity and facilitate monitoring of compliance with tax, contributory, and administrative obligations.

The system will allow cross-referencing information relating to operators, drivers, vehicles, insurance, inspections, and licenses, with access granted to IMT, AMT, the Tax Authority, Social Security, and security forces.

The legislative review eliminates the ban on advertising in TVDE vehicles, allowing its use under conditions similar to those applicable to taxis.