Portugal raises minimum legal age for marriage to 18 years old without exceptions

24 March 2025 – Portugal has taken a significant step in protecting the rights of adolescent girls and boys by raising the minimum legal age for marriage to 18 years old with no exceptions. Previously, individuals aged 16 and 17 could marry with parental consent. This legislative change aims to eliminate child, early, and forced marriages (CEFM), ensuring that all individuals enter marriage as consenting adults.

The decree, promulgated by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, amends the Civil Code, the Civil Registry Code, and the Law on the Protection of Children and Young People in Danger. It also includes child, early, or forced marriage in the set of dangerous situations that warrant intervention to promote the rights and protection of children and young people at risk.

Under a transitional rule, marriages of 16- to 18-year-olds that were legally performed before this law took effect will remain valid. Any emancipation resulting from these marriages also remains valid. Until both spouses reach adulthood, these marriages will continue to follow the previous legal rules.

About child marriage laws

Child marriage remains a global issue, with 12 million girls married before the age of 18 each year. While legal reforms like Portugal's are crucial, they must be accompanied by comprehensive approaches that address the root causes of child marriage, including gender inequality, poverty, and lack of access to education.

Laws against child marriage are important, but they are not enough on their own. To ensure girls and women can be socially, economically, and politically independent—making informed choices about marriage, their bodies, education, and work—the laws must also be accompanied by investment in gender-transformative services and policies to address the root causes of child marriage, and ensuring laws truly protect and support girls at risk. Evidence also shows that criminalising child marriage can have unintended and negative consequences for adolescent girls, their families, and their children. This highlights the need for legal measures to be part of a comprehensive approach that addresses the structural drivers of child marriage and provides services and support for girls who are already married.