Portugal’s parliament approved a bill proposed by the Chega party to ban face veils worn for “gender or religious motives,” including burqas and niqabs, in most public spaces. Violations could bring fines of €200–€4,000, while forcing someone to wear a veil could lead to up to three years in prison. Exceptions apply in places of worship, airplanes, and diplomatic sites.
The bill, backed by the centre-right coalition, now moves to the Constitutional Affairs Committee for review. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa may still veto or send it to the Constitutional Court. If signed into law, Portugal would join France, Belgium, and Austria in restricting face coverings, a move critics say fuels discrimination, though supporters claim it defends women’s rights and national values.
Compiled From: “Portugal’s parliament approves far-right party’s bill to ban face veils,” AlJazeera, Oct. 17, 2025.