You can park overnight on the motorway toll service stations , but there is a time limit ,the time of entry will be printed on your ticket .
For foreign vehicles , there is an office to get the tags for the windscreen .
I would take some cash , in case the bank or Dkv cards fail to work .
From the Spanish border to Lisbon , a new motorway was built a long time ago .
Avoiding France is better , as their controls or checkpoints by the Gendarmerie and Douanes or customs can be a pain .
They lurk around the peages or toll booths .
Portuguese traffic police are GNR and normally leave you alone .
Watch out for unmarked cop cars behind you .
Fines are court deposits paid on the roadside , most people never contest their fines .
Using the national or free roads will be slower with farm vehicles ,tourists .
Santander and Bilbao are mini cruises with cinemas , swimming pools and grab a granny discos .