Portugal Elections Guide: What You Should Know
Portugal shall hold a parliamentary election on Sunday, 18 May 2025. These early elections come after the government lost a vote of confidence in the Assembly of the Republic on 11 March 2025, triggering the resignation of the current administration.
It is worth noting that the outgoing Portuguese government was only elected on 10 March 2024.
This guide aims to provide voters with essential information about the upcoming 2025 Portuguese general election, including how to exercise their democratic right and understand the options available to them.
When Is the Election Campaign?
The official election campaign period commenced on 4 May and shall continue until 16 May, followed by the mandatory day of reflection on 17 May.
Which Political Parties Are Contesting the 2025 Elections?
The following political parties and coalitions are standing in these elections:
Major Parties:
- PS
- AD (PSD/CDS-PP)
- Chega
Mid-sized Parties:
- Iniciativa Liberal
- BE
- CDU (PCP/PEV)
- LIVRE
- PAN
Smaller and New Parties:
- PPM
- JPP
- Ergue-te
- ADN
- PCTP/MRPP
- Volt Portugal
- Nós, Cidadãos!
- Nova Direita
- RIR
- MPT
- PTP
- Partido Liberal Social
It is important to highlight that several of these parties shall have a limited presence in certain constituencies.
Current Parliamentary Representation
Of the 20 parties and coalitions contesting the 2025 general elections in Portugal, eight currently hold seats in the Portuguese Parliament:
- PS
- AD (PSD/CDS-PP)
- Chega
- Iniciativa Liberal
- BE
- CDU (PCP/PEV)
- Livre
- PAN
Parliamentary Seat Allocation by Constituency
Each constituency is allocated several parliamentary seats proportional to its population. The Portuguese Assembly of the Republic consists of 230 seats, distributed among constituencies as follows:
Lisbon is allocated 48 parliamentary seats, representing 20.9% of the total. Porto follows with 40 seats, making up 17.4% of the Assembly. Braga and Setúbal each receive 19 seats, accounting for 8.3% each. Aveiro is allocated 16 seats, representing 7% of the total. All other constituencies collectively receive 88 seats, which make up 38.1% of the Parliament.
Who Is Eligible to Vote?
All Portuguese citizens aged 18 or over have the right to vote in the legislative election, provided they are properly registered on the electoral roll. Additionally, Brazilian citizens residing in Portugal who hold a Citizen Card or Identity Card may also vote, thanks to the Equality of Political Rights Statute.
How to Check Your Polling Station
There are two straightforward methods to confirm where you should cast your ballot on 18 May 2025:
By text message: Send an SMS with the following format: RE [Your Identification Number] [Your Date of Birth in YYYYMMDD format] to 3838. This service is free of charge.
Via the Electoral Registration Portal: Enter either your Citizen Card number or Identity Card number along with your date of birth (YYYYMMDD format), or enter your full name and date of birth in the same format.
What You Need to Bring When Voting
To vote, you must provide your name to the polling station officials and present an official identification document. Whilst the Citizen Card or Identity Card is the most used document, should you not possess either, another official document featuring a recent photograph may be accepted.
In exceptional circumstances, if you arrive without any identification documents, you may still be identified either by two fellow voters who can confirm your identity through a declaration of honour or by unanimous recognition from the polling station officials.
Polling Hours
On election day, polling stations across Portugal shall be open from 08:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can EU citizens vote in Portugal's general election?
No, EU citizens who are not Portuguese nationals cannot vote in Portugal’s general elections.
How soon will the results be announced?
Preliminary results are typically available by midnight on election day. Official results shall be certified by the Constitutional Court within 10 days.
How is the 2025 election connected to
Portugal's Carnation Revolution of 25 April 1974?
The 25 April 1974 Carnation Revolution ended nearly five decades of dictatorship and established democracy in Portugal. Every election since, including this 2025 vote, represents the democratic freedom won during that peaceful revolution. This year's election occurs just weeks after Portugal celebrated the 51st anniversary of this historic event, reminding voters of the importance of democratic participation.
