Getting married in Portugal as a foreigner: the legal guide

We plan weddings for couples from all over the world, and the legal side is always one of the first questions. The good news: it is very doable. Here is what you need to know.

First, decide: legal ceremony or symbolic ceremony?

You have two paths.

A legal ceremony in Portugal. You marry at, or through, a Portuguese civil registry office (Conservatória do Registo Civil). It is fully valid and can then be recognised in your home country.

A symbolic ceremony. You sign the legal papers at home, before or after, and in Portugal you have a ceremony with all the emotion and none of the paperwork. Many of our international couples choose this. It gives total freedom over the place, the words and the person who leads it.

Catholic ceremonies are also legally recognised in Portugal. Other religious ceremonies need a civil registration to have legal effect.

Documents you will usually need

• Valid passports or ID cards for both of you.
• Full birth certificates issued within the last six months.
• A certificate of no impediment or capacity to marry, depending on your country.
• If either of you was married before, the divorce decree or death certificate.

Foreign documents normally need an apostille (or consular legalisation for countries outside the Apostille Convention) and a certified translation into Portuguese. Apostille first, translation after.

Timings

• The documents are filed at a Conservatória, in person or through a representative with power of attorney.
• File at least one month before the wedding. We recommend starting three months ahead.
• Once approved, the licence is valid for six months.

On the day

If either of you does not speak Portuguese, an interpreter is needed during the civil ceremony. You will also need two adult witnesses. The registrar can come to your venue, outside office hours and at weekends, for an extra fee.

Costs

The registry fees are modest: roughly €120 for a standard ceremony and around €200 when it happens at a venue, at weekends or outside office hours. Add apostilles, certified translations and, if you use one, a local representative.

How we help

We guide you through the process, connect you with trusted translators and legal support, and coordinate with the registry so the legal part fits naturally into the day.

Requirements change and vary by nationality. Always confirm the current list with the Conservatória or your consulate before you start.