Portugal Passes Controversial Ban on Face Coverings in Public Spaces

On 17 October 2025 Portugal’s parliament gave final approval to a law that bans the concealment of faces in public spaces. The governing Social Democratic Party (PSD), together with CHEGA, Iniciativa Liberal (IL) and CDS-PP voted in favour, while left-wing parties opposed it. The bill now awaits promulgation by President António José Seguro before it can take effect.

Burqa ban passes in parliament as Amnesty International warns of rights violations – Portugal Resident

The measure originated as a “burqa law” proposed by the far-right CHEGA party in October 2025. During committee scrutiny the PSD introduced amendments to reduce constitutional risk, removing explicit references to Islam and reframing the ban as a security and public-order measure. The revised text prohibits face coverings—including burqas, niqabs, masks, balaclavas and similar items—“for reasons of security and public order,” while providing limited exceptions.

Burqa ban passes in parliament as Amnesty International warns of rights violations – Portugal Resident

• Administrative fines for negligence range from €150 to €750; intentional violations attract €400 to €3 000.

Burqa ban passes in parliament as Amnesty International warns of rights violations – Portugal Resident

• The original CHEGA proposal would have criminalised forcing someone to wear a face covering with prison terms up to three years; the final version replaces those penalties with the fines above.

Burqa ban passes in parliament as Amnesty International warns of rights violations – Portugal Resident

Government supporters argue the law is a neutral security measure, not a target on any religion. The legislation is presented as a “general application” rule intended to protect public order. President António José Seguro must now decide whether to promulgate the bill.

Burqa ban passes in parliament as Amnesty International warns of rights violations – Portugal Resident

Amnesty International Portugal contends the ban breaches fundamental human-rights protections, warning it will disproportionately affect Muslim women who wear full-face veils. The organization also notes that Portuguese law already grants police broad powers to request identity verification, rendering the new measure of limited practical benefit.

Burqa ban passes in parliament as Amnesty International warns of rights violations – Portugal Resident

• “The state should neither impose nor prohibit clothing choices linked to identity, religion and/ or personal beliefs,” — Amnesty International Portugal

Burqa ban passes in parliament as Amnesty International warns of rights violations – Portugal Resident

• “It argued that international human rights standards recognise that protesters may legitimately cover their faces to avoid reprisals, protect their identity and/ or shield themselves from tear gas, adding that concealing one’s face should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of violent or criminal intent.” — Amnesty International Portugal

Burqa ban passes in parliament as Amnesty International warns of rights violations – Portugal Resident

• “In the organisation’s view, the new legislation provides few additional practical powers for law enforcement.” — Amnesty International Portugal

Burqa ban passes in parliament as Amnesty International warns of rights violations – Portugal Resident

• “Instead, it prohibits face coverings in public spaces “for reasons of security and public order”, covering burqas, niqabs, masks, balaclavas and other forms of facial concealment, subject to specified exceptions.” — Portuguese parliamentary text

Burqa ban passes in parliament as Amnesty International warns of rights violations – Portugal Resident

• “Instead, the final version establishes administrative fines ranging from €150 to €750 in cases of negligence and from €400 to €3,000 for intentional violations.” — Portuguese parliamentary text

Burqa ban passes in parliament as Amnesty International warns of rights violations – Portugal Resident

Human-rights groups argue the ban could increase discrimination against Muslim women and exacerbate social polarisation, echoing similar controversies in Belgium, France, Denmark, Bulgaria and Switzerland. Extending the prohibition to public demonstrations also raises concerns about the right to protest and the protection of anonymity for activists facing reprisals.

Burqa ban passes in parliament as Amnesty International warns of rights violations – Portugal Resident

Supporters claim the law addresses a genuine security need, yet Amnesty points out that existing Portuguese statutes already allow police to demand identification, suggesting the ban adds little operational value. No data are provided on how frequently face coverings have impeded security operations, leaving the practical necessity of the measure unclear.

Burqa ban passes in parliament as Amnesty International warns of rights violations – Portugal Resident

The law will become effective only after President António José Seguro signs it. Should the president promulgate the bill, enforcement mechanisms—including the stipulated fines—will be activated, and legal challenges based on constitutional or international-human-rights grounds may follow.

Burqa ban passes in parliament as Amnesty International warns of rights violations – Portugal Resident