Your Right to Vote in Portugal

What you can vote for

Under EU law, any EU citizen resident in Portugal can vote in two types of elections:

• Municipal — câmara municipal, assembleia municipal, junta de freguesia (every 4 years)
• European Parliament — to elect Portugal's MEPs (every 5 years)

How to register

Visit your local junta de freguesia with your CRUE and a proof of address. Registration is permanent and free; you'll receive a voter card (cartão de eleitor) by post within a few weeks. You only need to re-register if you move to a different freguesia.

When elections happen

Local elections are held every 4 years (next major cycle: 2025 ongoing into 2026 by-elections). European Parliament elections every 5 years (next: 2029). Polling stations open Sundays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Bring ID; the cartão de eleitor isn't strictly required.

Standing for office

EU citizens can also be elected to municipal office in Portugal. Several cities have foreign-born councillors (vereadores). Requirements: residence in the freguesia, NIF, no other electoral disqualifications, and registration on a party list or as an independent.