Portugal Parliament Approves Burqa Ban Bill, Fine Upto Rs 4 Lakh Proposed

Last Updated:October 18, 2025, 17:44 IST

Portugal's parliament passed a bill banning face veils like burqas and niqabs in most public spaces. The move sparked debate on gender equality and religious freedom.

Portugal Parliament Approves Burqa Ban Bill. (Photo: Getty Images)

Portugal’s parliament on Friday approved a bill to ban burqas (face veils) used for “gender or religious motives" in most public spaces. The bill was proposed by the far-right Chega party and effectively targets burqas and niqabs worn by Muslim women.

The bill imposes fines of up to 4,000 euros (Rs 4 lakh) for wearing face veils in public. As per the proposal, the fine would range between 200 euros and 4,000 euros ($234-$4,671). Additionally, forcing someone to wear a burqa would be punishable with prison terms of up to three years.

Face veils would still be allowed in aeroplanes, diplomatic premises, and places of worship. The President’s assent is still pending for the bill to become a law. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa could still veto the bill or send it to the Constitutional Court for checks.

If signed into law, this would put Portugal alongside European countries including France, Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands, which already have full or partial bans.

During Friday’s parliamentary session, several female lawmakers from left-wing parties opposed the bill and confronted Chega leader Andre Ventura. However, the bill was passed with support from the centre-right coalition.

“We are today protecting female members of parliament, your daughters, our daughters, from having to use burqas in this country one day," Ventura said.

Andreia Neto, a lawmaker from the ruling Social Democratic Party, said before the vote, “This is a debate on equality between men and women. No woman should be forced to veil her face."

Only a small number of Muslim women in Europe cover their faces, and in Portugal, such veils are extremely rare.

However, full-face coverings like niqabs and burqas have become a divisive issue across Europe. Some people argue that these coverings symbolise gender discrimination or pose a security threat and should be banned.

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