Living in Portugal - The System

Government: Portugal is a parliamentary republic with a President, elected by direct and universal suffrage for a five year term. Government is formed by the council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister. 

The Prime Minister is politically responsible to the President and Parliament. Legislative power is exercised by Parliament, which is made up of a single house of deputies of 230 parliamentary seats. 

Members of Parliament are elected by proportional representation for four years. Within the limitations prescribed by the Constitution, the President is responsible for dissolving Parliament, appointing a Prime Minister and dismissing the Government.

Structure of Administration: Portugal is divided into 22 electoral districts, 18 on the mainland and 4 on Madeira and the Azores. In each district, there is a civil governor, appointed by the government. The Azores and Madeira are autonomous regions with directly elected regional assemblies, which appoint regional governments with important powers.

Parliamentary elections are held at least every 4 years. The most recent election was in March 2002.

Legal system

Portuguese law is to some extent influenced by Roman law. The Portuguese law system is comparable with, for example, the German and French systems. It is not comparable with the Anglo-American system.

The ultimate source of law is the Constitution. There are 3 levels of courts in Portugal: the district courts or courts of first instance, the courts of appeal or second instance courts and the Supreme Court. Every district has its own first instance court. Courts of Appeal may in some cases function as first instance courts as well. The Supreme Court in Lisbon has a President and 22 judges.
Every lawyer is allowed to act in any court. He/she is addressed by the title "Advogado".

Remember, once in Portugal you will be subject to the laws of Portugal.

Police: The police may place a person under arrest:

1. if there is a reasonable doubt that the person in question is about to commit a criminal offence, 
2. in order to prevent further criminal action or 
3. to remove him/her from the presence of other people. 

A suspect who has been arrested must be brought before a judge within 48 hours.
The police may search a suspect.

Voting systems and rights (local, regional, national, European)

All national citizens over 17 years of age, should register in the Junta de Freguesia (small administrative unit) of their residence to obtain an elector number that enables the vote in the next elections. Their registration becomes valid from their 18th birthday.

Inscription is voluntary and optional for European citizens living in Portugal (it enables the voting in Municipalities and European elections)

For all national citizens resident in Portugal this inscription is compulsory and permits voting in the various elections: 

• Autarquicas (for the municipalities)
• Legislativas (for the government) and
• Presidenciais (for the election of the President)
• European Parliament and Referendums

There are also elections for the Regional Legislative Assemblies (Azores and Madeira).

Useful references:

• CNE – Comissão Nacional de Eleições
  Av. D. Carlos I, 128 - 7º piso
  1249-065 LISBOA
  Tel: 21 3923800
  Fax: 21 3953543
• STAPE – Secretariado Técnico dos Assuntos para o Processo Eleitoral
  Av. D. Carlos I, 134
  1249-104 Lisboa
• INFOCID – Sistema Interdepartamental de Informação ao Cidadão
  Tel: 213 605 300
  Fax: 213 605 395
  e-mail

Text last edited on: 01/07/2003

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2007
Reproduction is authorised.