Portugal Enacts Public Face-Covering Ban With Fines Reaching 3,000 Euros
President António José Seguro signs parliament-passed measure citing social trust and European legal precedents
Parliament gave final approval last month to legislation restricting full-face coverings in public spaces, and President António José Seguro signed the measure into law this week.
Fines range from 150 to 3,000 euros for anyone wearing garments designed to conceal identity in public areas. The statute also penalizes anyone who coerces another person into masking their face based on gender, religion, age, or background.
Seguro said forcing women to cover their faces creates a fundamental inequality at odds with democratic principles. He pointed to European Court of Human Rights precedents to justify the state’s intervention, asserting that visible faces serve as a foundational requirement for mutual recognition and social trust across European societies.
Medical needs, extreme weather conditions, professional requirements, and artistic performances are exempt from the restriction. Designated locations including places of worship, diplomatic facilities, and commercial aircraft are also carved out.
