{"id":3599,"date":"2026-01-12T11:41:53","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T11:41:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cooperhate.eu\/hate-crimes-in-portugal\/what-does-the-law-in-portugal-say\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T08:58:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T08:58:24","slug":"what-does-the-law-in-portugal-say","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cooperhate.eu\/en\/hate-crimes-in-portugal\/what-does-the-law-in-portugal-say\/","title":{"rendered":"What does the law in Portugal say?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What does the law in Portugal say?<\/h1><\/div>

What does the law in Portugal say?<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

In Portugal, discrimination is prohibited by law, but this does not mean that it is criminalized. In fact, in Portugal, as in many other countries, most instances of discrimination are considered \u201cless serious\u201d offenses\u2014civil or administrative\u2014rather than crimes.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Thus, actions or omissions that, on the basis of a particular characteristic, violate the principle of equality are considered discriminatory practices<\/strong>. These practices are classified as administrative offenses [i] (and not crimes)<\/strong><\/span>. They include:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

1<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The refusal to provide goods or services, or the prevention of their use;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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2<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The unsatisfactory provision or use of goods or services;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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3<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The prevention or restriction of access to and the normal conduct of an economic activity;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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4<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The refusal or imposition of conditions on the sale, lease, or sublease of real estate;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

5<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The refusal or restriction of access to public places or places open to the public;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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6<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Denial of or restrictions on access to public transportation;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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7<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The denial or restriction of access to health care provided at public or private health care facilities;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

8<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The denial or restriction of access to educational institutions, whether public or private;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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9<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The establishment of classes or the adoption of other internal organizational measures in public or private educational institutions based on discriminatory criteria;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

10<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The adoption of a practice or measure by any company, entity, body, agency, employee, or agent of the direct or indirect administration of the State, the autonomous regions, or local authorities, that restricts or limits the exercise of any right;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

11<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The act by which a natural or legal person, whether public or private, publicly or with the intent of widespread dissemination, issues a statement or disseminates information that threatens, insults, or demeans a group of people on the grounds of disability;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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12<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div>

The adoption of measures that restrict access to new technologies.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Note: This list does not include all discriminatory practices prohibited by Portuguese law. For more specific information regarding certain minorities, please consult the relevant legislation. <\/u><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>

[i] \u201cContra-ordena\u00e7\u00e3o\u201d (or administrative offense)<\/span><\/strong> is a legal term in Portuguese law that refers to an unlawful and reprehensible administrative violation, punishable exclusively by a fine (monetary penalty) and not by imprisonment. It differs from crimes in that it is less serious, affecting social order in a non-criminal manner, and covers areas such as traffic, tax, customs, or economic matters. The proceedings follow the General Regime for Administrative Offenses (Decree-Law No. 433\/82).”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Relevant legislation:<\/span><\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Law No. 93\/2017, of August 23<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/u>
\nLegal Framework for the Prevention, Prohibition, and Prevention of Discrimination<\/p>\n

Law No. 46\/2006, of August 28<\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/a>
\nProhibits and punishes discrimination on the basis of disability and the existence of an increased health risk<\/p>\n

Official Gazette No. 51\/2008, of March 12<\/strong><\/span><\/u><\/a>
\nProhibits and penalizes discrimination based on sex in access to and the provision of goods and services<\/p>\n

Official Gazette No. 143\/2001, of June 22<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/u>
\nReligious Freedom Act<\/p>\n

Law No. 85\/2021 | Official Gazette<\/a><\/span><\/u><\/strong>
\nProhibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation regarding eligibility to donate blood, amending Law No. 37\/2012 of August 27, which approves the Blood Donor Statute<\/p>\n

Labor Code \u2013 CT \u2013 Subsection III | DR<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/u>
\nEquality and Non-Discrimination<\/p>\n

Law No. 39\/2009, of July 30<\/a><\/strong><\/span>
\nSafety and the fight against racism, xenophobia, and intolerance at sporting events<\/p>\n

Penal Code \u2013 CP \u2013 Article 240 | DR<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/u>
\nDiscrimination and incitement to hatred and violence<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

In Portugal, discriminatory practices in the workplace are also prohibited by the Labor Code.<\/strong>
\nThere is also specific legislation aimed at countering violence, racism, xenophobia, and intolerance at sporting events.<\/p>\n

However, Portuguese law does not recognize the concept of hate crimes. Similarly, the Portuguese Penal Code does not specifically list the crimes of racism, xenophobia, homophobia, or transphobia; however, these are generally covered under Article 240 of the Penal Code<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Nevertheless, certain acts committed for discriminatory reasons are considered crimes, and the penalties for some crimes are increased if they are committed for discriminatory reasons:<\/p>\n<\/div>