Algarve wedding legal requirements

Everything You Need to Know About Getting Married in the Algarve

The Algarve, in the south of Portugal, is one of the most romantic destinations in Europe to celebrate your wedding. Picture whitewashed towns and villages, charming old chapels perched on dramatic cliffs, golden beaches, rolling mountains, and deep-blue seas. Add to that an abundance of elegant venues, exceptional catering, luxury accommodation, and of course, glorious weather. The Algarve has everything you need to make your wedding truly unforgettable.

Whether you are planning an intimate ceremony or a lavish celebration, your special day will be even more meaningful in this beautiful region of Portugal.

If you’ve decided to get married in the Algarve, congratulations. You couldn’t have chosen better! Before you start sending out invitations, however, it’s important to consider the type of wedding ceremony you want and review the legal requirements for weddings in Portugal, which also apply here in the Algarve.

To make the process easier, we’ve outlined below everything you need to know about the legal requirements for getting married in the Algarve. It may seem like a heavy read, so if you have any questions or need clarification, please don’t hesitate to call or email us. We’re here to help.

You may only be legally married in the Algarve under Portuguese law. This means that if you choose to marry in Portugal, the ceremony must follow Portuguese legal requirements. It is not possible to be married at an embassy or consulate, nor can the marriage be conducted under the laws of your own country.  Here are the key legal requirements for weddings in the Algarve that every couple should be aware of:

• Minimum age: The legal age to marry in Portugal is 16 years old, but written consent from both parents is required for anyone under 18.
• Residency: There is no legal residency requirement to get married in Portugal, so you can plan your Algarve wedding even if you live abroad.
• Types of weddings: You can choose between a Civil or Catholic wedding — both are legally recognised and binding. Religious ceremonies for all other faiths must be preceded by a civil ceremony, and the civil marriage certificate must be presented.
• Same-sex marriages: Same-sex civil weddings are permitted and enjoy the same legal status as opposite-sex marriages.
• Language requirement: Civil and Catholic ceremonies are conducted in Portuguese. If you don’t speak Portuguese, you must arrange for a certified translator or interpreter to be present throughout the ceremony.
• Surnames: In Portugal, the wife is not required to adopt her husband’s surname. She may choose to add it while keeping one of her original surnames.

Matrimonial Regimes in Portugal

When considering the legal requirements for weddings in the Algarve, it’s essential to understand the different matrimonial regimes (regime de bens) recognised under Portuguese law. These define how assets and property are managed both during the marriage and in the event of separation or death.

By default, marriages follow the community of property system (Comunhão geral). However, couples may choose a different arrangement through a pre-nuptial agreement, which must be drawn up before arriving in Portugal and in full compliance with Portuguese legal regulations.

1. Community of Property (Comunhão geral): All property brought into the marriage and acquired during it is shared between both spouses. This regime cannot be chosen if either partner already has children.
2. “Acquired” Community of Property (Comunhão de adquiridos): Only assets and property acquired after the marriage are considered joint.
3. Out of Community of Property (Separação geral de bens): Each spouse retains full ownership of their individual property. This regime is mandatory if one or both partners are aged 60 or older, and a pre-nuptial agreement must be drawn up in accordance with Portuguese law.
4. Custom Regime: Portuguese law also allows couples to create a tailored regime, combining elements of the above systems to suit their personal preferences.

More information here (in Portuguese)

Citizenship

Under the legal requirements for weddings in the Algarve, it’s important to note that foreign citizens do not automatically acquire Portuguese nationality when marrying a Portuguese citizen. However, they may apply for Portuguese citizenship after five years of marriage, provided the marriage is officially registered in Portugal and remains legally valid.

Paperwork

All documentation must be original and endorsed with an Apostille (an Apostille is a certificate that authenticates documents executed outside of Portugal, such as a birth certificate, so that it will be recognised as genuine for use in other countries. This is usually done by a notary). Any documentation that is not in Portuguese must be accompanied by official translations, translated by an agency verified by the Portuguese Consulate, and the translations must be apostilled too.

You and your partner will need:

• Newly issued full length birth certificates (must show the name of your parents) dated within 6 months of your wedding date

• Passports for Bride and Groom (expiry date must be more than 6 months after your wedding). If one of you lives in Portugal, the residents card is enough.
• If this is not your first marriage, a certified copy of the previous marriage certificate, divorce decree or a death certificate to prove termination of previous marriage(s), must be provided. Again, these documents must have been issued within the last six months. If you have been divorced from a wedding in the Catholic church and your marriage was not officially annulled, you cannot marry in the Catholic church in Portugal. Again all these must be apostilled.
• A non impediment certificate for each spouse must also be acquired, and apostilled.

These are the general documents required for getting married in the Algarve, but according to your nationality or country of origin, further documentation may be needed. If you are seriously considering holding your wedding in the Algarve, please contact us to discuss your individual requirements. Please be aware that a fee usually always accompanies some of these documentation requirements.

Civil Wedding

A civil wedding ceremony in the Algarve can take place either at the local registry office (Câmara Municipal) or at a location of your choice. There is no special licensing system for wedding venues in Portugal, so hotels, restaurants, quintas, and private villas are all acceptable options. Beach weddings are also possible, though they require an additional permit from the maritime police.

For the marriage to be legally binding, the ceremony must be conducted by an official from the Câmara Municipal. If you wish to hold your civil wedding outside the registry office, you’ll need to make arrangements in advance to ensure the official can travel to your chosen venue.

Alternatively, you can complete the legal ceremony at the registry office — either in Portugal or in your home country — and then celebrate with a symbolic ceremony that better reflects your personal style and preferences.

Catholic Wedding

If you are planning a Catholic wedding in the Algarve, you will need to contact the local priest well in advance to begin the necessary arrangements. Once approval is granted, the ceremony must take place within three months.

All required church documents must be translated into Portuguese and officially sealed or stamped by your Bishop’s parish office, not just the local priest. The documents needed include:

• A formal letter from your parish priest granting permission for the wedding to be performed in your chosen Portuguese church, along with a supporting letter from your Bishop confirming the same.
• The same letter must confirm that you have completed all Pre-Cana procedures and include the mandatory certificates. This letter must then be sent to the Portuguese Diocese.
• The original prenuptial inquiry form, issued on your parish’s official letterhead.
• Certificates of baptism, first communion, and confirmation, sent together with the prenuptial inquiry form and accompanying letters.
• If one of you is not Catholic, you will need an additional document — known as Permission of Mixed Religions — confirming that the Portuguese Church may perform the ceremony. This can be obtained from your local priest.

and finally...

Our Legal Document Checking Team will review your paperwork to ensure everything is in order before you send it to Portugal by courier. However, it remains the couple’s responsibility to make sure that all required documents are accurate, complete, and submitted on time. It’s essential to verify that all details in your official documentation are correct and fully up to date. Please note that our wedding packages do not include legal documentation costs or courier fees.

Many couples choose to legally marry in their home country and then celebrate with a blessing or symbolic ceremony here in the Algarve. This approach allows the legal formalities to be completed where the legislation is more familiar and the process often faster, while the true celebration takes place in Portugal’s most romantic region.

Whatever you decide, our team is here to plan and organise your wedding, answer all your questions, and ensure everything runs smoothly, without the stress. So don’t worry, we’ll make the entire process simple and enjoyable.