Getting Married in Portugal

Useful Information

Documents Needed to Get Married in Portugal

If you've ever thought about getting married, there is a good chance you have considered tying the knot in a foreign country, perhaps even Portugal, somewhere you can be assured sunshine most of the year for your big day.

However if you do decide Portugal is the place you want to marry, beware, as a foreign national you will have to provide reams of paperwork - in Portuguese - to qualify to host your nuptials in the country.

Unfortunately Portugal is renowned for it's bureaucratic red tape and it's best to be forewarned than have a wedding day you would rather forget.

The planning and execution of a wedding in Portugal is more or less the same as anywhere else in the world, however you will probably have to fill in more paperwork is you are not a resident of Portugal. Though unlike the UK you can get married where you like without a license.

If you are flying in to get married, then in Portugal you will have to produce the papers to prove this. Portugal I am afraid has papers to prove everything.

As well as being resident in the country for 15 days prior to the wedding (bride and groom) if you are not Portuguese by nationally you will have to try, and I mean really try to endure the sunshine, hospitable nature of the Portuguese and not get overwhelmed by the easy going nature of the country per say.

There are several ways to get married in Portugal if you are a foreign national including a civil ceremony or a blessing or a wedding celebration. Though be prepared if the paperwork is not in order come your big day, then the wedding will be only a party. Portugal is renowned for it's red tape and bureaucracy in all matters to do with law and order and this does include weddings.

In Portugal there are no restrictions on the location of your marriage. Unlike the United Kingdom the location does not have to be licensed or registered, it is simply the person conducting the ceremony who needs to be licensed. Therefore should you wish to tackle the paperwork, have an extended honeymoon before the wedding and do so in Portugal , the choice, literally is yours for a stunning location.