On October 18, 2025, Portugal’s parliament made headlines by approving a bill that would ban the wearing of garments that fully cover the face—such as burqas and niqabs—in public spaces. The controversial measure, introduced by the far-right Chega party, has sparked a heated debate across the political spectrum and drawn international attention, placing Portugal in the company of a growing list of European nations imposing restrictions on full-face coverings.
The parliamentary vote saw the Chega party joined by the Social Democrats (PSD), Liberal Initiative (IL), and CDS-PP in support of the bill, while the Socialist Party (PS), Communist Party (PCP), Bloco de Esquerda (BE), and Livre voiced strong opposition. According to The Guardian, the law specifically prohibits the use of clothing "intended to conceal or obstruct the display of the face," directly targeting Islamic women’s attire such as the burqa—a full-body garment that covers a woman from head to toe—and the niqab, a veil leaving only the area around the eyes uncovered.
Supporters of the legislation argue that it aims to bolster public safety, ease personal identification, and promote women’s rights and social integration. Chega’s leader, André Ventura, defended the measure in parliament by declaring, "Whoever arrives in Portugal, wherever they come from, whatever region they come from, with whatever customs and religion they have, must comply with, respect and ensure that the customs and values of this country are respected." He maintained that a woman forced to wear a burqa loses autonomy and becomes objectified, framing the proposal as a means of protecting women from coercion.
On the other side, the opposition sees things quite differently. Socialist Party lawmaker Pedro Delgado Alves criticized the initiative, stating, "This initiative is used solely to target foreigners, those who have a different faith." He argued that while no woman should be forced to wear a veil, the approach taken by Chega is misguided and risks fueling animosity toward minority communities. Members from other left-leaning parties echoed these concerns, warning that the measure could stigmatize Muslim women and infringe on religious freedoms.
Under the proposed law, violations could result in fines ranging from €200 to €4,000, depending on whether the offense is deemed negligent or willful. The bill also includes a provision for up to three years in prison or a fine for anyone who, "by threat, violence, constraint, abuse of authority or abuse of power, because of their sex, forces one or more people to hide their face." There are notable exceptions: face coverings would still be allowed in airplanes, diplomatic institutions, and places of worship, as well as for health, professional, artistic, entertainment, publicity, security, or climatic reasons. The law would apply to all public spaces, including roads, places open to the public, government offices, sporting events, and demonstrations.
The process is not over yet. As reported by UNN and Daily Mail, the bill will now be reviewed by the parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Freedoms and Guarantees, where amendments may be introduced before a final vote. Even if it passes again, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa holds the power to veto the law or refer it to the Constitutional Court for review. This step could prove decisive, as Portugal’s constitution guarantees both secularism and religious freedom, setting the stage for potential legal challenges.
If enacted, Portugal would join a growing roster of European countries that have adopted similar bans. France became the first EU country to ban full-face coverings in public in 2011, with then-President Nicolas Sarkozy declaring that the issue was about "the freedom and dignity of women," not religion. Belgium, Bulgaria, Austria, Denmark, and the Netherlands followed suit with their own restrictions, each citing a mix of security, social cohesion, and women’s rights. Switzerland implemented a nationwide ban in January 2025, after a 2021 referendum, and authorities in Zurich recently issued the first fine under the new law to a woman who covered her face for religious reasons.
In Sweden, the debate is also intensifying. Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch has called for a total ban on burqas and niqabs, saying, "You should be able to meet for real if you are on the street, if you are shopping in the square, in the Ica store or taking the children to the health centre. Then I don't want to meet someone who has covered their entire face." She argued that such garments are "an oppression that is not welcome" in Sweden, and insisted that Islam must adapt to Swedish society. Local municipalities have previously tried to impose restrictions, but there is currently no nationwide ban. Busch’s comments came in the same week as Portugal’s vote, highlighting a broader European trend toward legislating public attire in the name of integration and cohesion.
Italy is also moving in a similar direction. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party has presented a bill that would ban burqas and niqabs in public places, with fines ranging from £260 to £2,600. The Italian proposal also introduces criminal penalties for "cultural crimes" such as virginity testing and increases punishments for forced marriages, aiming to combat "religious radicalisation and religiously motivated hate." According to Daily Mail, these moves reflect a wave of legislative efforts across Europe to address what some governments see as challenges to national identity and public order.
Yet, the debate in Portugal is not just about security or women’s rights. It’s also about how a society defines itself and negotiates the boundaries between tradition, secularism, and multiculturalism. The government’s own PSD party, while supporting the bill, noted that "the text presented can and should be perfected in specialised discussions," suggesting that further changes are likely before the law is finalized.
For now, the fate of Portugal’s face-covering ban hangs in the balance. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s decision—whether to sign, veto, or refer the law for constitutional review—will determine whether Portugal joins its European neighbors in enforcing such restrictions. As the debate continues, the country finds itself at the crossroads of security, liberty, and cultural identity, with the world watching closely to see what comes next.