Should You Get Legally Married in Portugal?
Are you thinking about getting married in Portugal? That sounds like an amazing idea! Portugal is a beautiful country with sunny beaches, old castles, and amazing food.
But before you start planning, you might be wondering: Is it easy to get legally married in Portugal? Or should I just get married in my home country and have a celebration in Portugal?
Let’s go over the nitty gritty.
Getting Married in Portugal: What You Need to Know
If you want your wedding to be legal in Portugal, there are some rules you must follow. Every country has different wedding laws, so it’s important to know how it works before making your decision.
Is a Portuguese Marriage Legal in Other Countries?
Yes! If you get legally married in Portugal, your marriage is recognized in most other countries. That means you don’t have to get married again when you go back home. Just make sure you check your country’s rules about registering a foreign marriage.
Can Same-Sex Couples Get Married in Portugal?
Yes! Portugal has allowed same-sex marriage since 2010. No matter who you love, you can have a legal wedding in Portugal. Heck yeah!
What Do You Need to Get Married in Portugal?
Before you can get married in Portugal, you need to gather some important papers. Here’s what you’ll need:
Your passport or official ID
Your birth certificate (It has to be less than 6 months old.)
A Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) which proves you’re not already married.
Divorce or death certificate (If you were married before, you need proof that the marriage ended.)
All documents must be translated into Portuguese and certified with an Apostille (if from a Hague Convention country) or legalized by the Portuguese consulate.
How to Apply for a Wedding in Portugal
Civil weddings are conducted by the Portuguese Civil Registry Office (Conservatória do Registo Civil).
Steps to tying the knot:
Submit your paperwork at least 30-40 days before your wedding. This can be done in person or through a legal representative.
Choose your wedding location – You can get married at a Civil Registry Office or a special place like a beach, castle, or garden (but this costs extra).
Attend your wedding ceremony! The ceremony will be in Portuguese, so if you don’t speak the language, you might need a translator.
The marriage certificate. After the ceremony, you will receive an official Portuguese marriage certificate.
How Much Does It Cost?
A wedding at a Civil Registry Office costs between €120-€200. Fees vary for ceremonies held outside the office.
The cost of a civil wedding depends on the location. A ceremony at the Civil Registry Office is the most affordable, but some couples prefer a more unique setting. Certain venues are already approved for weddings, while others—like forests, beaches, or private estates—require special permission. If your chosen location isn’t pre-approved, you’ll need to follow extra steps to make it legal. Here’s how to do it.
How to Have a Legal Civil Ceremony in an Unapproved Location
Pick a Location & Get Permission
Not all locations in Portugal are approved for civil weddings. To get married in a unique and special place, you must:
Choose a Location & Get Approval
If the land is private land, you need permission from the owner.
If the land is public land, like a park or forest, you must get a permit from the local government.
Ask for an Off-Site Civil Ceremony
When you apply for your marriage license at the Civil Registry Office (Conservatória do Registo Civil), you must request an off-site ceremony.
There is an extra cost for this service, usually between €200-€300 or more.
This fee covers the registrar’s time and travel to your chosen location.
Since getting approval for a completely off-site location can be complex, an option is to have the legal wedding at a registry office (e.g., in Óbidos, Peniche, or Nazaré) and then hold a symbolic ceremony in the forest with a celebrant.
Why Choose a Symbolic Ceremony?
If the legal steps for an outdoor wedding feel too complicated, you can have a simple civil wedding at the registry office and then hold a symbolic ceremony anywhere you like. This option gives you more freedom to:
Pick any location without needing approval.
Choose any language for the ceremony.
Personalize the ceremony to fit your style.
Why Some Couples Choose to Marry in Their Home Country First
While getting legally married in Portugal is possible, many couples choose to handle the legal part at home and celebrate with a symbolic ceremony in Portugal. One reason is that dealing with foreign paperwork and Portuguese bureaucracy can be overwhelming. Gathering the necessary documents, translating them, and getting them certified takes time and effort. Some couples prefer to skip this process and have a hassle-free wedding day.
Another reason is flexibility. A civil ceremony in Portugal follows strict rules, including a Portuguese-language ceremony and limited location options. By marrying legally in their home country, couples can then have a symbolic ceremony in Portugal exactly how they want—choosing any setting, language, and traditions that feel personal to them.
Many couples also prefer this option because it allows them to celebrate their symbolic ceremony as their true anniversary. Instead of remembering a courthouse wedding, they get to cherish the special day they exchanged vows in a stunning location. This approach gives them the best of both worlds—a simple legal process at home and a dream wedding in Portugal without the extra stress.
For couples looking for a legally recognized wedding in a beautiful outdoor setting, these venues are already approved for civil ceremonies. However, even if you’re not having a civil ceremony, these locations offer stunning forest backdrops that can make your symbolic celebration just as magical. Here are some incredible venues to consider.
1. Approved Venues with Forest Settings
Since fully outdoor civil ceremonies require approval, choosing a venue that already hosts legal weddings in forested areas can simplify the process. Here are some recommendations:
Quinta do Vale (Óbidos) – A countryside estate with woodlands and gardens. Some areas can be used for outdoor ceremonies with a registrar.
Areias do Seixo (Torres Vedras) – A luxury eco-resort with a forest setting near the beach. They help arrange legally binding ceremonies on-site.
Bukubaki Eco Resort (Peniche) – A nature-focused venue with a pine forest and eco-lodging. They can facilitate legal weddings with a registrar.
Quinta dos Machados (Mafra) – A rustic estate with woodlands, offering both legal ceremonies and receptions in a natural setting.
Legal Wedding Venues in Portugal’s Major Coastal Regions
1. Silver Coast (Costa de Prata)
Best for: Coastal forests, vineyards, medieval towns
Areias do Seixo (Torres Vedras) – Eco-luxury venue with pine forests and ocean views. They handle legal ceremonies.
Quinta do Vale (Óbidos) – A private estate with a woodland setting and easy access to Óbidos’ historic charm.
Bukubaki Eco Resort (Peniche) – A nature retreat with a pine forest backdrop, perfect for an intimate legal wedding.
Quinta dos Machados (Mafra) – A rustic countryside venue with forests and gardens for outdoor weddings.
2. Lisbon Coast
Best for: Clifftop views, beaches, and historical sites
Quinta de Sant’Ana (Mafra) – Vineyard estate with forested areas and approval for legal ceremonies.
Arriba by the Sea (Guincho, Cascais) – Stunning clifftop venue near a natural park with forested surroundings.
Casa dos Penedos (Sintra) – A fairy-tale venue surrounded by Sintra’s lush forests and mountains.
Penha Longa Resort (Sintra) – A luxury venue with an old monastery and surrounding forest for a legal ceremony.
3. Algarve Coast
Best for: Dramatic cliffs, hidden beaches, and sunny weather
Monte das Oliveiras (Albufeira) – A private estate with gardens, olive trees, and forest areas for legal weddings.
Vila Vita Parc (Porches, Lagoa) – A resort with nature-inspired venues, including garden and cliffside locations.
Quinta Bonita (Lagos) – This boutique estate has beautiful outdoor spaces and is ideal for intimate weddings.
Suites Alba Resort & Spa (Carvoeiro) – Overlooking the ocean with pine trees and coastal vegetation.
4. Green Coast (Costa Verde)
Best for: Lush landscapes, vineyards, and remote nature
Carmo’s Boutique Hotel (Ponte de Lima) – A nature-inspired estate with vineyards and green forest surroundings.
Quinta da Pacheca (Douro Valley) – A vineyard venue with secluded forested areas for outdoor legal ceremonies.
Vidago Palace (Vidago, near Porto) – This historic luxury venue has forest gardens and a registry-approved ceremony area.
5. Madeira
Madeira offers dramatic landscapes, including mountains and coastal cliffs, perfect for a legal outdoor wedding in a forested setting. The island’s stunning natural beauty is complemented by a few venues that can host civil ceremonies in the midst of nature.
Quinta do Furão (Santana) – A luxury estate with incredible views of the sea and lush surroundings, offering outdoor legal ceremonies.
Chalet Alves (Funchal) – A charming venue with a forest backdrop, ideal for couples looking for a serene yet picturesque setting.
6. Azores
The Azores islands provide an untouched paradise, with volcanic landscapes, lush forests, and coastal cliffs ideal for those seeking a unique outdoor wedding. Here are some venues for a legal ceremony surrounded by nature:
Terra Nostra Garden Hotel (Furnas, São Miguel) – A beautiful garden setting with tropical plants and a geothermal spring, perfect for an intimate outdoor ceremony.
Furnas Boutique Hotel (São Miguel) – Nestled within the beautiful Furnas valley, surrounded by lush forests and tranquil lakes, ideal for nature-loving couples.
Coastal Wedding Venues with Legal Approval
1. Silver Coast (Costa de Prata)
Areias do Seixo (Torres Vedras) – Eco-luxury venue with pine forests and ocean views.
Bukubaki Eco Resort (Peniche) – A nature retreat with a coastal pine forest and ocean vistas.
Vila Galé Sintra (Sintra) – Near the coastline, offering a beautiful backdrop for legal ceremonies.
2. Lisbon Coast
Arriba by the Sea (Guincho, Cascais) – Clifftop views overlooking the ocean, offering legal ceremonies with a local registrar.
Penha Longa Resort (Sintra) – Set among lush gardens and panoramic views of the Atlantic coast.
Casa dos Penedos (Sintra) – Historic venue with a view of the Atlantic Ocean and a serene forest setting.
3. Algarve Coast
Vila Vita Parc (Porches, Lagoa) – Coastal resort offering cliffside venues with panoramic ocean views.
Monte da Quinta Resort (Quinta do Lago) – A luxury resort with outdoor ceremony options overlooking the Ria Formosa lagoon.
Suites Alba Resort & Spa (Carvoeiro) – Set on cliffs with ocean views and forested areas, offering legal wedding services.
4. Madeira
Estalagem da Ponta do Sol (Ponta do Sol) – Cliffside venue overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, offering legal weddings with a local registrar.
Choupana Hills (Funchal) – Surrounded by nature, with panoramic views of the island and the ocean, perfect for a legal ceremony.
5. Azores (São Miguel & Pico Islands)
Pedras do Mar Resort & Spa (Ribeira Grande, São Miguel) – Coastal resort with forested areas and ocean views, approved for legal weddings.
Lava Homes (Pico) – A retreat with volcanic landscapes and coastal views, offering legal wedding services.
Final Thoughts: Should You Get Married in Portugal?
Getting married in Portugal is a super fun experience, but you’ll need to plan a little bit. If you want a real wedding in Portugal, make sure to get your paperwork ready ahead of time! If you’d rather keep it easy, you can get legally married at home and have a special, fun ceremony in Portugal. Either way, Portugal is a perfect place to celebrate love! ❤
And what better way to do it than with an elopement photographer? We can help with all the details of your wedding in Portugal, from finding vendors to picking the best spots.