Portugal has enacted a new law banning clothing that covers the face in public spaces, a measure widely viewed as targeting Muslim women who wear full-face veils such as the burqa or niqab.
Under the new law, people who violate the ban can be fined between €150 and €3,000. However, exemptions apply for health, professional, artistic and weather-related reasons, as well as in places of worship, diplomatic missions and on aircraft.
Portuguese President António José Seguro signed the legislation into law, saying that the face is an important element of human identity and communication.
The law was originally proposed by the far-right Chega party and was approved by parliament in July with support from the governing centre-right coalition and far-right lawmakers. Left-wing parties opposed it.
Supporters argue that the measure is linked to identification and public safety, while opponents say it risks encouraging Islamophobia, racism and xenophobia.
Portugal's Socialist Party, Communist Party and Livre party criticised the legislation, arguing that it unfairly targets Muslim communities and questioned whether it was genuinely necessary for security or women's rights.
The law also makes it illegal to force another person to cover their face for reasons connected to gender, religion, age or origin.
Portugal now joins several other European countries that have restrictions on face-covering veils in public places.
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