05/28/2026
Portugal's parliament has approved a contentious bill to ban full-face veils, including burkas and niqabs, in most public spaces. Spearheaded by the far-right Chega party and backed by the ruling center-right coalition, the legislation explicitly restricts facial coverings worn for "gender or religious motives" across streets, parks, schools, and government offices.
Under the approved regulations, individuals violating the public ban will face fines ranging from €200 to €4,000, which equates to roughly $4,670. Furthermore, the law cracks down heavily on institutional or domestic coercion, introducing strict criminal penalties of up to three years in prison for anyone found forcing a person to wear a face veil against their will.
The sweeping measure includes explicit exemptions for airplanes, diplomatic premises, and places of worship, but it has still ignited a fierce national debate over religious freedom and minority stigmatization. While supporters frame the law as a critical step for gender equality, social integration, and public security, critics point out that such veils are incredibly rare in Portugal and argue the law unfairly targets the country's small Muslim community. The bill now awaits action from President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who maintains the power to sign it, issue a veto, or send the text to the Constitutional Court for judicial review.