Portugal has introduced new restrictions on clothing that fully covers or significantly obstructs the face in public spaces, in a move that has been widely described as the country’s “burqa law.”
The legislation applies to garments including the burqa and niqab, while allowing exceptions in specific circumstances. Face coverings may still be permitted when required for health, professional, artistic or weather-related reasons.
Places of worship are also excluded from the restrictions, according to the legislation.
The new rules include financial penalties for people who violate the law. Fines can range from €150 to €750 when the violation is considered negligent, while intentional breaches can carry higher penalties of between €400 and €3,000.
The legislation was officially published on August 24 and is scheduled to come into force on September 23, 2026.
The measure has drawn attention because it places new limits on what people can wear while moving through public spaces. Supporters of such restrictions generally link them to public identification and security, while critics often raise concerns about personal freedoms and religious expression.
The law’s exemptions mean that face coverings will not be prohibited in every situation. Certain practical and professional circumstances will continue to allow people to cover their faces.
Authorities will be responsible for enforcing the new rules once they take effect later this month.
The legislation adds Portugal to the group of European countries that have introduced restrictions on face-covering clothing in public settings.
The impact of the new rules will likely depend on how authorities interpret and enforce the exemptions, particularly in situations where face coverings may be required for legitimate reasons.
With the September 23 implementation date approaching, residents and visitors will need to understand the circumstances in which face-covering clothing is permitted and the penalties that may apply to violations.
