Portugal Bans Muslim Women From Covering Their Face

ISLAMABAD: Portugal’s parliament approved a bill seeking to ban face veils worn for religious or gender-related reasons in most public spaces — a move that would place the country among a growing list of European states restricting burqas and niqabs.

The bill, tabled by the far-right Chega party, proposes fines ranging from €200 to €4,000 for individuals wearing full-face coverings in public. It also prescribes prison terms of up to three years for anyone found guilty of forcing another person to cover their face.

The proposed restrictions would exempt places of worship, diplomatic premises and airplanes.

The legislation will now move to the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Freedoms and Guarantees for review. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa retains the authority to veto the bill or refer it to the Constitutional Court for scrutiny.

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If enacted, Portugal would join France, Belgium, Austria and the Netherlands, which already enforce full or partial bans on face coverings.

During the debate, Chega leader André Ventura defended the proposal, claiming it protects “our daughters” and preserves “national identity and women’s rights.” He later described the vote on X as a “historic day” for Portuguese democracy.

Centre-right lawmakers backed the bill, while left-wing female MPs confronted Ventura on the floor, calling the measure discriminatory. Two parties — People-Animals-Nature (PAN) and Together for the People — abstained, arguing the legislation fuels prejudice.

Supporters of such bans cite gender equality and identification concerns in public settings. Critics insist the laws stigmatise Muslim women and restrict personal freedoms. In Portugal, face veils are rarely seen and only a small fraction of Muslim women in Europe wear them.