Portugal approves burka ban as it becomes latest European country to stop face coverings

Nigel Farage says face coverings in public 'don't make sense' as he reacts to Sarah Pochin's burka demand

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GB NEWS

Lewis Henderson

By Lewis Henderson


Published: 18/10/2025

- 16:26

Portugal joins a list of European nations banning the Islamic face covering

Portugal's parliament has approved a bill banning face veils worn for "gender or religious" purposes in public, in a move which has seen the removal of the burka.

Those who vow not to could face a hefty fine, as the measures proposed by the Chega party are set to come into effect.


The move will see the banning of the burka, a full-body garment covering a woman from head to foot, and niqabs, the full-face Islamic veil with space around the eyes, from being worn publicly.

They would still be allowed in aeroplanes, places of worship and diplomatic proceedings.

The bill states that those caught wearing face veils in public could be fined up to €4,000 (£3,475).

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is set to approve the bill, but could veto it or send it to the Constitutional Court for review.

If signed into law, Portugal will join a series of European countries, such as Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands and France, which have full or partial bans on face and head coverings.

Not many women in Portugal wear the covering, but the issue of Islamic veils has created a series of controversies in other European countries.

\u200bPortugal announced it has passed a bill to ban the burka

Portugal announced it has passed a bill to ban the burka

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GETTY

Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni has called for a ban on the burka in a bid to crack down on "Islamic separatism".

Her party, the Brothers of Italy (FdI), has tabled a bill to fine anyone wearing the garments in schools, universities, shops, and offices over £2,500.

Ms Meloni commands a coalition Government with a large majority, and the bill, only proposed on Wednesday, is anticipated to pass.

The FDI has vowed that the bill combats "Islamic separatism, religious radicalisation and religiously motivated hatred".

The FDI wrote: "The law against Islamic separatism represents a necessary step to protect Italian identity, the safety of citizens, and the freedom of women," it said in a statement.

"It's not about limiting religious freedom, but about preventing it from being exploited to justify practices incompatible with the principles of our constitution and our society.

"We want to intervene against Islamic separatism, a phenomenon manifested through the creation of enclaves where sharia law prevails over Italian law.

"While not at the same level as France, worrying signs are beginning to emerge in Italy too."

\u200bReform MP Sarah Pochin has called for the banning of the burka in the UK

Reform MP Sarah Pochin has called for the banning of the burka in the UK

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Nigel Farage has previously described the burka as "anti-British", calling for a "debate" on banning face coverings in the UK.

The Reform UK leader said: "This is about priorities. You know, I don't like to see the burka.

"It probably is anti-British in the sense that [...] I don't know if they're being forced to cover up."

Reform MP Sarah Pochin infamously called for a ban on the burka in the "interest of public safety".

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