Covid-19 Restrictions during Christmas and New Year’s Celebrations
11 December 2020
The Portuguese Government has decided to lift a few of the tight regulations during Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.
CHRISTMAS:
Circulation between municipalities:
- Allowed.
Circulation on public road:
- 23 to 24 December: allowed only for those who are travelling;
- 24 and 25 December: allowed until 2am the following day;
- 26 December: allowed until 11pm.
Opening hours:
- 24 and 25 December: restaurants operate until 1am.
- 26 December: restaurants allowed to operate until 3:30pm in very high and extreme risk municipalities.24 and 25 December: closing times do not apply to cultural establishments.
NEW YEAR:
Circulation between municipalities:
- Prohibited between 12am on 31st December and 5am on 4th January 2021.
Circulation on public road:
- 31 December: allowed until 2am;
- 1 January: allowed until 11pm.
Opening hours:
- 31 December: restaurants operate until 1am.
- 1 January: restaurants allowed to operate until 3:30pm in very high and extreme risk municipalities.
Public parties or parties open to the public are forbidden.
Gatherings on the public road with more than 6 people are also prohibited.
Luís Maria Branco | Lawyer
Brexit changed UK citizens' residency status in Portugal. Learn how the Withdrawal Agreement affects permanent residence rights for Britons living in Portugal.
Discover Portugal's new Job Seeker Visa for qualified professionals. Find out eligibility requirements, application process, and career opportunities in 2025.
Comprehensive overview of Portugal taxation on ETFs, shares, bonds and crypto, covering capital gains, tax rates and resident regimes such as IFICI+ and NHR.
"Hiring Portuguese freelancers offers flexibility for foreign firms, but misclassification risks in contracts can lead to heavy penalties and unexpected liabilities.
Foreign companies must distinguish contractors from employees in Portugal, as each is governed by a distinct legal regimes with different obligations in Portugal.
Birth in Portugal doesn’t guarantee nationality. Under Article 1(1)(f), it depends on parents’ status at birth, residence, and absence of diplomatic service.
Portugal’s Parliament approved a bill to tighten immigration laws, signaling a shift from flexible policies to stricter, more regulated migration controls.
Portugal’s State Budget Proposal for 2026 continues the Government’s gradual approach to fiscal reform, maintaining stability while introducing selective tax relief for households and businesses.
Changing residence permit types in Portugal is possible under Law 23/2007 and its regulation, if the legal framework is carefully applied to evolving situations.