The ban on face coverings in public places came into immediate and full effect in Portugal, following the official signing of the relevant legislation by the country’s president, António José Seguro .
The new regulation, which was voted in favor by parliament with the support of the right-wing and far-right governing coalition amid strong reactions from left-wing parties , targets clothing that makes it difficult to identify a person, in practice mainly affecting the use of the burqa and niqab by Muslim women.
The Portuguese president defended the measure by describing the face as “a central element of identity and human communication” , while recognizing the strong social and cultural dimension of the issue.
The so-called “burqa law” by the media establishes strict sanctions, providing for hefty fines of 150 to 3,000 euros for violators.
The provision that severely punishes anyone who forces another person to cover their face for reasons related to gender, religion, age or origin also has a particularly serious dimension, ensuring individual freedom.
The legislative framework also includes clear exceptions, as the ban does not apply when there are health reasons, professional or artistic activities , as well as specific weather conditions, while places of worship, diplomatic missions and aircraft remain outside the scope of application.
