New State of Emergency – What Changes from 9th December Onwards

9 December 2020
A new State of Emergency has come into force at 12am on the 9th December. Since it changes every two weeks, this new State of Emergency is adopted until the 23rd December.  

The rules are the same as before and keep the whole territory divided in 4 COVID levels:
  • Moderate: Municipalities with < 240 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days;
  • High: Municipalities with a number of cases between 240 and 479 per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days;
  • Very high: Municipalities with a number of cases between 480 and 959 per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days;
  • Extremely high: Municipalities with > 960 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the last 14 days.

Where do I check which level is my municipality?

Please click here to know which municipalities are within the 4 levels. 

What changed from the previous State of Emergency? 

For municipalities with a “high” risk level, in addition to the measures applied to the entire continental territory:
  • Action to monitor compliance with mandatory remote working;
  • Maintenance of the opening hours of establishments (10pm, except restaurants and cultural facilities at 10:30pm).

For “very high” and “extremely high” municipalities, in addition to the measures applied to the entire national territory, the following also apply:
  • Action to monitor compliance with mandatory remote working;
  • Prohibition of circulation on public roads between 11pm and 5am on weekdays;
  • Prohibition of circulation on public roads after 1pm, during the next two weekends (12-13 and 19-20 December);
  • During weekends, commercial establishments and restaurants must close at 1pm (with a few exceptions).
Which measures are applicable in the 4 zones? 

1. Mandatory use of mask in the workplace 

2. There is the possibility of carrying out body temperature measurements, through non-invasive means, at:
  • Workplaces;
  • Educational institutions;
  • Means of transportation;
  • Commercial, cultural and sporting venues.
3. There is also the possibility of requiring diagnostic tests for COVID-19, in access to:
  • Health facilities;
  • Residential venues;
  • Educational establishments
  • Professional establishments at the entrance and exit of national territory – by air or sea
  • Other locations, by determination of the DGS.
4. Another measure is to mobilize human resources to strengthen screening capacity (e.g., conducting epidemiological surveys, contact screening, monitoring of people under active surveillance);

In summary 

All citizens living in the country must join in a nation-wide effort to contain the virus.
by Joana Loureiro Veríssimo 7 August 2026
Working remotely does not automatically grant residence in Portugal. Understand the legal requirements and residence routes available to digital nomads.
by Jéssica Dos Nunes 5 August 2026
Discover the legal options for recovering commercial debts in Portugal, including injunction procedures, enforcement actions and cross-border debt recovery.
by Danielle Avidago 3 August 2026
Learn the legal routes to Portuguese nationality by descent for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren under Portugal's updated Nationality Law.
by António Pratas Nunes 29 July 2026
Explore how DAC8 changes crypto-asset reporting in Portugal, including automatic information exchange and tax compliance requirements.
by Joana Torres Fernandes & Madalena Mourão 28 July 2026
Hiring in Portugal involves more than an employment contract. Learn the labour, immigration, payroll, Social Security and compliance obligations every employer should address before onboarding employees.
by Jéssica Dos Nunes 24 July 2026
Buying a renovated property in Portugal? Learn the legal risks, required property checks and why legal due diligence protects your investment.
by Javier Mateo 23 July 2026
Understand the 2026 changes to Portugal's nationality law and when children born to foreign parents may qualify for Portuguese nationality at birth.
by Jéssica Dos Nunes 21 July 2026
Learn why incorporating a company in Portugal is only the first step and how ongoing legal, tax and corporate compliance supports long-term business success.
by Constança da Graça Mendes 16 July 2026
Learn why Portuguese Land Registry requirements remain essential in cross-border succession, even with the European Certificate of Succession.
More posts