Portugal is now on the verge of joining several European countries in banning face veils worn for religious or gender-related reasons.
The decision has sparked debate across the country, with supporters calling it a step toward social equality and critics arguing it unfairly targets Muslim women.
Parliament Approves the Controversial Bill
In a heated session this week, Portugal’s parliament approved a bill that would prohibit face coverings like burqas and niqabs in most public places.
The measure, introduced by the far-right Chega party, passed with backing from several centre-right lawmakers.
Under the proposal, individuals who wear full-face coverings in public could face fines of up to €4,000 (around £3,475).
However, the ban would not apply to airplanes, places of worship, or diplomatic premises.
The legislation still awaits final approval from President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who has the authority to either sign it into law, veto it, or send it to the Constitutional Court for review.
Portugal Would Join Other European Nations with Similar Bans
If the president approves the measure, Portugal will join countries like France, Belgium, Austria, and the Netherlands that already have restrictions on Islamic face coverings.
Although very few women in Portugal actually wear burqas or niqabs, the topic has triggered a wider cultural debate — one that mirrors tensions seen across Europe about religion, identity, and women’s rights.
Chega justified the proposal by referencing France’s ban, arguing that covering the face represents “exclusion and inferiority” and undermines liberty and human dignity.
Opposition Calls It a Discriminatory Move
Lawmakers from left-leaning parties strongly opposed the bill, accusing the far-right of using the issue to stigmatize minorities.
Pedro Delgado Alves from the Socialist Party argued that while no woman should be forced to wear a veil, banning them outright misses the point.
“This initiative is used solely to target foreigners, those who have a different faith,” he said, describing the bill as divisive and discriminatory.
A Growing European Trend Against Islamic Face Veils
Portugal’s decision comes amid a wave of similar discussions sweeping across Europe.
Just days earlier, Sweden’s Deputy Prime Minister, Ebba Busch, reignited debate by calling for a nationwide burqa and niqab ban “while we can.”
Busch, who also serves as Sweden’s Minister for Energy and Business, said the veils symbolize oppression and don’t align with Swedish values.
She argued that covering one’s face in public prevents genuine human interaction.
“You should be able to meet for real if you are on the street, shopping in the square, or taking your kids to the health centre,” she told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.
Sweden Pushes for Stronger Cultural Integration
Busch described the ban as part of a wider effort to restore “social cohesion” in a country she says has struggled with integration.
She criticized what she called “naive liberalism,” blaming it for social divisions.
According to her, nearly 70,000 women in Sweden have undergone female genital mutilation — an example, she says, of cultural practices incompatible with modern Swedish society.
“You are welcome to be Muslim in Sweden,” Busch emphasized, “but if you’re already here, you have to adapt.”
Italy Joins the Debate with Its Own Proposal
Italy is also stepping into the conversation. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party introduced a bill that would ban burqas and niqabs in public spaces, including shops, schools, and offices.
Those caught violating the ban could face fines ranging from £260 to £2,600.
The proposal also includes stricter penalties for “cultural crimes” such as virginity testing and forced marriage — with prison sentences of up to 10 years.
According to Meloni’s party, the move aims to combat “religious radicalisation and religiously motivated hate,” describing it as a step toward protecting Italian values and women’s rights.
Critics Warn of Increasing Polarisation
Across Europe, opponents of these bans argue that such measures fuel division instead of promoting inclusion.
They warn that legislation like Portugal’s could marginalize Muslim women even further, restricting their freedom of expression rather than enhancing it.
Still, supporters insist these laws defend equality and public security, framing them as a defence of liberal democracy rather than an attack on religion.
What Comes Next for Portugal
All eyes are now on President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, whose decision will determine whether the veil ban officially becomes law.
If he approves it, Portugal will add its name to a growing list of European nations tightening restrictions on religious dress in public.
The debate has become about more than just clothing — it’s about identity, freedom, and the ongoing struggle between secularism and faith in modern Europe.