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.
A practical overview of how foreign nationals can access Portugal’s National Health Service (SNS), including eligibility, Número de Utente and key requirements.
Understand how Article 122.º j) allows certain applicants to apply for a residence permit in Portugal without returning home. Requirements, context and practical guidance.
Understand Portugal’s legal framework for residential leases, including duration, renewal, termination, rent updates and communication rules.
Law n.º 67/2025 introduces tougher penalties for illegal occupation and enables faster restitution of property. Learn what the reform means for owners and occupants.
Danielle Avidago | Immigration Consultant
Facing eviction in Portugal? Learn the 15-day deadline to respond, how to oppose an eviction through BAS, and what tenants can do when they believe the landlord is wrong.
Is your AIMA application stalled for months or years? Portuguese law provides judicial tools to challenge excessive administrative delay and compel a decision. Learn how Article 66.º CPTA works, the one-year deadline, and what alternatives exist when the time limit has expired.
Portugal’s Nationality Law reform is now under preventive constitutional review by the Constitutional Court. Understand the contested provisions and potential impacts.
Understand how board members and qualified roles in recognised companies and certified startups may qualify for Portugal’s IFICI+ (NHR 2.0) tax regime.
Understand Portugal’s share capital rules for Lda and SA companies. Legal requirements, strategic considerations, and guidance for entrepreneurs incorporating in Portugal.