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.
Portuguese nationality law provides citizenship pathways for stateless persons and vulnerable children under protection measures, ensuring legal stability and rights.
Living in Portugal? Find out how Portuguese succession rules affect international assets, forced heirship for family, and when you need a local public will.
Portugal’s Parliament is debating a new package of immigration law amendments. Learn what has been proposed, what could change, and why current residents should pay attention.
Find out when Portugal allows a residence permit without a visa. Explore Article 122 exceptions and who may qualify under immigration law.
Learn how the transitional provisions of Portugal's new Nationality Law affect applications already pending before 19 May 2026.
Learn how Portugal's new 5-year residency rule impacts your newborn's citizenship. Read our legal roadmap to secure your child's documentation.
Portugal’s nationality law changed in 2026. Read 30 key FAQs on residence rules, AIMA delays, Golden Visas, citizenship eligibility and legal risks.
Can you travel with an expired Portuguese residence permit? Learn the legal and practical risks involving airlines, Schengen travel and re-entry.
Danielle Avidago | Lawyer