Face concealment in public spaces prohibited with fines up to 3,000 euros

The Assembly of the Republic approved Law No. 58/2026, published in the Diário da República on August 24, 2026, which prohibits the use, in public spaces, of clothing intended to conceal or obstruct the display of the face. The regulation, which establishes security and prevention rules regarding citizen identification, comes into force 30 days after its publication and provides for fines that can reach 3,000 euros.

The decree was approved on July 17, 2026, promulgated by the President of the Republic António José Martins Seguro on August 18, and countersigned by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro on August 19. The signature was provided by the President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco.

Scope of the prohibition

The prohibition covers public roads, places open to the public dedicated to public service, and places where services generally accessible to citizens are provided. The rule extends to participation in events, sporting activities, and demonstrations.

The law also prohibits coercing any person to conceal their face for reasons of gender, religion, age, or origin.

Provided exceptions

The prohibition does not apply when the concealment is duly justified by health reasons or for professional, artistic, entertainment, or advertising purposes. Places of worship and other sacred sites, as well as aircraft and diplomatic and consular facilities, are also excluded.

Concealments for security reasons, due to weather conditions, or whenever such occurs pursuant to a legal provision that permits it, are also excluded.

Sanctioning regime

Violation of the prohibition constitutes an administrative offense punishable by a fine of 150 to 750 euros in cases of negligence, and 400 to 3,000 euros in cases of intent. Inspection and the drafting of reports are the responsibility of the security forces, while the municipal council of the area where the infraction occurred is responsible for the instruction of the proceedings and the application of fines, following the submission of the reports by the police authorities within five business days.

Anyone who, through threat, violence, coercion, abuse of authority, or abuse of power, based on the victim’s sex, forces one or more people to conceal their face is punished with a prison sentence of up to two years or a fine of up to 240 days. The penalty is increased by one-third when the victim is a minor.

Impact

The new law intervenes in a sensitive domain of rights and freedoms, balancing security and citizen identification with exceptions that protect health, profession, and freedom of worship. Coming into force 30 days after publication gives citizens and entities a period of adaptation before the application of fines.

Source: Diário da República, 1st series, No. 163, August 24, 2026 (official reference: Law No. 58/2026, of August 24).