Taxi operators flock to app platforms as new TVDE law takes effect
Portugal's taxi sector is shifting fast. Since the new TVDE law came into force on 1 September, allowing licensed taxi operators to work through electronic platforms, Bolt says it has already received centenas de pedidos de integração — hundreds of integration requests — from taxi companies. The Estonia-based ride-hailing company confirmed that most applications come from firms that have already applied for a TVDE operator licence. The Federação Portuguesa do Táxi (FPT) acknowledges that many taxi operators intend to join.
How the new regime works
The legislative change permits legal entities holding a taxi operator licence to simultaneously develop TVDE activities — transport services provided through mobile applications — provided they comply with the applicable licensing procedures. A taxi working through a platform cannot, during that service, collect passengers from the street, use taxi ranks, or drive in bus lanes.
Bolt says the requests for licensing are concentrated in large urban centres and the islands, particularly Lisbon, Porto, and the autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores. The company expects that thousands of new taxi vehicles will join once all regulatory procedures are finalised, projected for early October.
In Madeira alone, approximately 273 taxis were registered to begin operations with Bolt by 9 September. At national level, interest from at least 500 taxi vehicles to operate as TVDE has been recorded.
Platforms shift enforcement responsibility
When asked how it will ensure that taxis on its platform do not collect passengers from the street, use taxi ranks, or circulate in reserved lanes, Bolt places responsibility elsewhere: "Our application already limits passenger pick-up in zones where it is not permitted or where there are safety constraints, in alignment with current traffic rules, but enforcement of transport legislation is the responsibility of the competent authorities."
Uber, contacted by ECO, gave no details on integration requests but confirmed that taxi integration will happen shortly: "We expect to integrate taxis into the platform very soon, in line with Uber's strategy to expand mobility options available in the application." Taxis can already begin their registration process through Uber's website, though the company awaits publication of a regulatory decree to conclude the process.
Uber already integrates taxis in more than 37 countries and hundreds of cities worldwide. The platform says that by joining, taxis can benefit from its technology, including digital payment through the app and more than 20 safety tools designed to protect passengers and drivers before, during, and after each trip.
Federation welcomes interest but urges caution
Carlos Silva, president of the FPT, confirms that "there are many operators who intend to work with the platforms". The sectoral leader acknowledges division: "Some don't want to because they realise that the current taxi situation stems from the entry of TVDE vehicles, which work with prices we consider abnormally low. Others see things are so bad, so 'if you can't beat them, join them.'"
Silva admits that even within the federation, some leaders want to work with the platforms. However, the FPT advises associates to exercise caution while legal certainty remains lacking. The federation has formally requested clarification on ten concrete points from the Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes (IMT), transport authorities, and the National Association of Municipalities.
Key unresolved issues include:
• A discrepancy in vehicle age limits: taxi law caps vehicles at ten years, while the new TVDE law allows electric vehicles up to twelve years.
• How authorities will distinguish in real time whether a taxi is operating under regulated taxi fares or platform-defined TVDE prices.
• Inspection rules for vehicles used under both regimes.
• The mechanism for switching between modes and whether operators will need a "button to change mode."
Pricing and commission changes
The new law also brings other significant changes. Dynamic pricing limits have been removed, allowing platforms to charge higher prices during periods of peak demand. Bolt explains that situations where dynamic pricing reached the 100% limit were very rare, but during events with thousands of people requesting rides simultaneously, prices may now slightly exceed previous limits.
Uber says the change improves service reliability: "Dynamic pricing allows supply and demand to be balanced efficiently, attracting drivers to areas of greater need and ensuring service availability at peak times."
On commissions, the new law caps the fee at 25% of the trip value, calculated without VAT. Bolt describes this as "an adjustment with reduced impact but which translates into a positive effect for drivers." Uber clarifies that the new legal framework reduces its maximum mediation fee by 1.42 percentage points, fixing it at 23.58%.
Regulatory bottleneck remains
Despite the interest, full operationalisation faces a bottleneck. The IMT has not yet issued regulations on vehicle registration and the immutable identification sticker required for dual-operation vehicles. Platforms believe this will be resolved shortly.
The FPT, alongside ANTRAL, has announced its intention to challenge the law at the Constitutional Court, arguing it creates an unfair competitive advantage and inequality between operators.
For now, taxi drivers can apply. Whether they can legally begin dual operations depends on regulations still pending.
