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Country Background

Portugal is located in Southern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain. The capital of Portugal is Lisbon. The official languages of Portugal are Portuguese and Mirandese. The country’s population in 2016 was approximately 10.8 million. Portugal is a predominantly Christian country, with about 81% of the population Roman Catholic.

Constitution & Legal Structure

Portugal is referred to as a semi-presidential republic. The system of government is based on principles of separation and checks and balances and has three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The current Constitution was promulgated in 1876 after a revolution to put an end to the authoritarian regime of the Estado Novo. It has undergone seven amendments, most recently in 2005. Portugal is a member state of the European Union.

Constitutional Status of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no constitutional status in Portugal.

Jurisdiction(s) of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no official jurisdiction of operation in Portugal.

Dominant School of Islamic Law

Portugal has no official school of Islamic law.

Sources of Law for Legal Research

Official Publications

• Legislative
  • Assembleia da República - English version
  • Diário da República (official gazette)
• Executive
  • Presidência da República
  • Primeiro Ministro
  • Ministério da Justiça
• Judicial
  • Supremo Tribunal de Justiça
  • Tribunal Constitucional

 Unofficial Databases

• FAOLEX: Portugal (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) database of national laws and regulations on food, agriculture, and renewable natural resources.
• GLIN Archive: Portugal [1854-2011] (Law Library of Congress) includes summaries
• NATLEX: Portugal (International Labour Organization) database of national laws on labor, social security, and related human rights.
• RefWorld Legal Information: Portugal (UNHCR)
• WIPO Lex: Portugal (World Intellectual Property Organization)
• URINFO - Soluções Informáticas Integrais laws in Portuguese 

References:

For an extended list of legal resources for this country, see the Library of Congress’s Research Guide, and for a narrative review, see the GlobaLex Foreign Law Research Guide (most updated version, where available). The Constitution is available in the LOC Guide in its original language and at Constitute in English and Arabic translation. For full versions of past constitutions, amendments, and related legislation, see HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated or Oxford Constitutions of the World [subscription required for each].