Portugal Parliament Approves Controversial Burqa, Niqab Ban

Lisbon: Portugal’s parliament has approved a controversial bill proposed by the far-right Chega party to ban face veils, including burqas and niqabs, worn for religious or gender-related reasons in most public places.

Under the proposed law, anyone wearing a face veil in public could face fines ranging from €200 to €4,000 ($234–$4,670), while those who force others to wear one could face up to three years in prison.

The ban would not apply to airplanes, diplomatic buildings, or places of worship. The bill will now be reviewed by the parliamentary committee on Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Freedoms, and Guarantees to assess its constitutional validity.

If signed into law, Portugal would join several European nations — including France, Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands — that already have full or partial bans on face coverings.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa can still veto the bill or refer it to the Constitutional Court for review before it becomes law.

During the heated parliamentary debate, Chega leader Andre Ventura defended the bill, saying:

“We are protecting our daughters and women from ever being forced to wear burqas in this country.”

He later wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

“Today is a historic day for our democracy, our values, our identity, and women’s rights.”

Lawmakers from the centre-right coalition supported the proposal, while female members from left-wing parties strongly opposed it, calling it discriminatory.

Andreia Neto from the ruling Social Democratic Party said:

“This is a debate about gender equality. No woman should be forced to cover her face.”

Two smaller parties — the People-Animals-Nature Party and Together for the People — abstained, arguing that the proposal fuels discrimination.

While Portugal has a small Muslim population, and face coverings are rarely seen, the debate has mirrored wider European controversies over religious freedom, women’s rights, and national identity.

If enacted, the law could make Portugal the latest European country to restrict face veils in public spaces.