Traffic in several former toll roads in Portugal’s interior and the Algarve has risen sharply since charges were scrapped at the start of 2025, with some routes seeing increases of over 40%.
According to data reported by Jornal de Negócios, average daily traffic grew between 17% and 42% by December, compared to the previous year – a clear sign that drivers are returning to routes that were once avoided due to toll costs.
In the Algarve, the A22, or Via do Infante, recorded a rise of nearly 28% in traffic by the end of the year.
Elsewhere, some of the biggest increases were seen inland. The A13-1, part of the Pinhal Interior network, saw traffic jump by 42% in December, while the A13 recorded a 37% increase. The Beira Interior motorway registered a 27.1% rise, with the Interior Norte concession up 18% and the Beiras Litoral e Alta network growing by 17.3%.
The figures follow Parliament’s decision to abolish tolls on several former SCUT (user-free) motorways – a measure approved against the ruling government’s wishes, as PSD and CDS-PP voted against the idea. However, votes in favour of the proposal from PS, Chega, BE, PCP, Livre and PAN were enough to bring an end to the controversial tolls.
However, the policy has come at a cost. The government estimates it lost around €180 million in toll revenue in 2025 as a result of the change.
