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How to plan your Portugal wedding as a foreigner
Dreaming of a wedding in Portugal, but confused by Portuguese wedding paperwork? You’re not alone! We got married in Portugal in 2024, and there was a fair bit of planning involved!
So many questions to start with! Do we want to tie the knot in a Quinta in Alentejo, in a palace near Lisbon, or on the beach in the Algarve? What paperwork do we need to obtain a marriage license, since we are both foreigners?
Portugal is a top destination for a romantic and legally recognised wedding abroad. This guide is written by lawyers from Fresh Portugal, combined with my own experience of organising our marriage in Portugal. I’ve also worked as a wedding photographer for several years, so I will add some wedding planning assistance later on as well!
Discover everything you need to know about a wedding in Portugal, whether you’re a foreigner, marrying a Portuguese citizen, or planning a destination wedding. From picking the perfect location to navigating legal paperwork and cultural traditions, here’s what we learned, and what you need to know.
Can foreigners get married in Portugal?
Let’s start with the most important question: Can you get wed in Portugal when you’re not from here? And the answer is yes! In our case, I am from the European Union (The Netherlands), and my now husband is from Brazil. We married under Portuguese law, as we both reside in Portugal.
However, Portugal welcomes both residents and non-residents for legal marriage, making it an ideal destination for international couples and destination weddings!
Whether you’re marrying a foreign national or a Portuguese citizen, marriage in Portugal is a legally binding process that is accessible and recognised worldwide when conducted correctly.
Confused about what paperwork you actually need?
We teamed up with the legal team at Fresh Portugal to get it right, and they made the process way easier than we expected.
Can same-sex couples from abroad tie the knot in Portugal?
Absolutely! Portugal has recognised same-sex marriage since 2010, and you don’t need to be a resident or a Portuguese citizen to get married here. So, if you’re a same-sex couple visiting from another country (even one where same-sex marriage isn’t legal) you can still marry in Portugal. Just keep in mind that whether your marriage is recognised back home depends on your country’s laws.
Can you legally get married in Portugal?
Absolutely. Getting married in Portugal is legal for foreigners, and Portugal recognises several types of marriage:
- Civil Marriage: Conducted at a Civil Registry Office (Conservatória do Registo Civil) and is the most common choice for international couples.
- Religious Marriage with Civil Effect: Such as a Catholic wedding, which must be registered at the civil registry.
- Marriage by Proxy: Available in rare cases, with prior approval.
Your Portugal wedding can be fully legal and recognised in your home country, provided all documents are prepared in accordance with Portuguese law.
We live in Lisbon and arranged everything at the Registry Office near Marques de Pombal. It’s called the Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado (IRN), and we have visited it several times.
The waiting lines can be long, and if you don’t speak Portuguese, I highly recommend bringing a translator. The staff often doesn’t speak English, and the legal forms are in Portuguese.
During our first appointment, we reviewed the necessary paperwork for our case and identified the forms that required translation. Also, verify which documents require an apostille, if applicable.
How to get married in Portugal? Here is the process!
To initiate the marriage process, you must submit documents at any Civil Registry Office in Portugal or at a Portuguese consulate if applying from abroad. You don’t need to reside in Portugal to marry here.
Required documents for foreigners:
- Valid passports or residence permits
- Birth certificates
- Certificate of no impediment (proof you’re free to marry)
- Divorce or death certificates (if previously married)
- Translations and apostilles as needed
Each registry office may have slightly different document requirements, so it’s best to confirm ahead of time. The legal requirements were very different for us than for friends with a similar background. Also, we needed a translator and two witnesses, whereas others did not. The registry office can confirm what is required in your case.
Still feeling overwhelmed?
If you want someone to handle the legal bits for you, we highly recommend working with Fresh Portugal.
Marriage property regimes in Portugal
When planning your marriage in Portugal, you’ll choose a property-sharing regime. The main options include:
- Communion of acquired property: Common for couples who want to share what they earn together.
- General community of property: All assets before and after marriage are shared.
- Separation of property: Each spouse retains their own assets.
You can also create a custom agreement, provided it aligns with Portuguese law.
How long does it take to plan your Portugal wedding?
Timelines vary based on your documentation and the registry office’s schedule. Once our paperwork was approved, the registry office’s calendar was fully booked for some weeks. On average, it will take:
- Administrative processing: 1 to 3 months
- Ceremony scheduling: 1 week to 2 months
On average, expect the full process to take 3 to 5 months. Starting early is key, especially if you’re organising a destination wedding in Portugal from abroad.
We began planning the wedding in January. It was especially challenging for me to receive the papers from the Netherlands, as everything was arranged from a distance and or via the embassy.
Ultimately, we received the go-ahead in July. We then had until November to finalise the civil ceremony, as some paperwork was due to expire later that year. Some papers needed to be issued within the last six months, but we were ready to say “I do”! We had planned to get married in June, but we actually got married in September.
A few days after the wedding, the marriage certificate was ready and was sent to our home address.
How much does a Portuguese wedding cost on average?
The legal costs vary, but typical expenses include:
- Marriage process fee: €120-€200
- Translation and legalisation of documents €100-€500
- Additional fees for weekend or off-site ceremonies
We opted to get married in our own home and paid the additional off-site ceremony fee. But you can also get married in a wedding venue, a lovely garden or on a beach, for example. It’s best to check with your local registry office to determine the available options.
On top of the legalities, it gets as expensive as you want it to be. Whether you opt for a simple ceremony, a dinner, or a luxurious wedding, you will most likely need rings, outfits, a cake, champagne, and a place to celebrate. More about this later!
What Influences These Costs?
- Guest count – More guests = more food, seating, transport, etc.
- Venue type – A palace in Sintra will cost more than a countryside Quinta.
- Season & area – Peak months (May–Sept) and tourist hotspots like Lisbon or the Algarve, wedding venues cost more.
- Planner scope – Local planners typically charge €2,000–€7,000, but they save time and headaches.
- Vendor choices – Catering can range from €85 to €250 per guest, decor from €2,000 to €10,000, and photography and videography from €1,500 to €6,000.
While not the cheapest destination, getting married in Portugal can be quite affordable compared to other European countries. I photographed many weddings before in Ireland, the Netherlands, and Germany, and the costs were substantially higher in those countries.
Residency rights after marriage
Marriage in Portugal doesn’t automatically grant residency. If you marry a Portuguese citizen, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit through AIMA, providing proof of your relationship and cohabitation.
Planning your dream wedding in Portugal is exciting, but the paperwork doesn’t need to be the stressful part. We trusted Fresh Portugal to handle our legal prep, and it was the best decision we made.
- Legal experts
- Easy communication in English
- Proven track record with destination weddings
👉 Click here to get expert help from Fresh Portugal’s legal team today
Tips for a stress-free wedding in Portugal
- Begin planning well in advance (one year or more is ideal), ensuring the paperwork remains valid.
- Work with a legal advisor familiar with international marriages (the team at Fresh Portugal has been amazing).
- Ensure that you have two witnesses, of any nationality, who are at least 18 years old. (In our case, we needed two witnesses, AND they had to be able to speak Portuguese). Check this with the registry office.
- Double-check with your chosen registry office for up-to-date requirements
What we learned planning a wedding in Portugal
Be flexible with your timeline
Our paperwork took us way longer than anticipated. For this reason, we struggled to plan a big wedding, as most of our guests would have to travel from abroad. Without a date, it was harder to send out those invites! And with no invites, people could not make plans to fly to Portugal.
Ultimately, we decided to keep it small and splurge on our honeymoon instead (we spent nearly a month in Japan). We celebrated our big day with around 15 people, and got married in our home, followed by a dinner in Lisbon.
Hire a wedding planner
If you plan your wedding from abroad, I would say it’s essential to hire a local wedding planner. They speak Portuguese, and they can lay all the groundwork for you. They often know the best venues and vendors in your chosen region.
Check the venue or restaurant in person if possible
Once you have shortlisted your venue or location, visit it in person! It’s not always what it looks like in the images, and it can be very busy in the high season, for example. Additionally, beaches can be windy, and certain places may require special permits.
Don’t assume vendors speak English
In larger cities like Porto and Lisbon, as well as areas such as Sintra and the Algarve, many people speak English, but not everyone does. Please be mindful of this and hire a wedding planner or translator if needed.
Double-check availability before you commit
Portugal is a popular destination for weddings, especially from May to October. Some venues and vendors book out 12–18 months in advance. We missed out on a few places by assuming they’d be available. Lesson learned!
The best time to plan your Portuguese wedding
My favourite months in Portugal are May, June and September. It’s usually dry and sunny, but not as hot as in July and August. Between October and April, there is a change of rain. Even in the middle of September, we had a pretty warm day!
Give guests clear travel and lodging info
Some of our guests had never been to Portugal. Creating a simple travel guide with direct flight options, public transportation, hotel recommendations, and a rough schedule made things less stressful for everyone and saved us from many “where should I stay?” messages.
We used WithJoy to create a free wedding website (they also offer a paid version) that included all the necessary details.
Costs can sneak up on you
Weddings aren’t cheap, and before we knew it, we were incurring thousands of euros in costs. If possible, sit down together and thoroughly discuss the non-negotiables and the fluff you can do without. This can be one of the biggest money-savers. Of course, if you want to go all in, go for it! But not everyone might remember the personalised keychain they left behind.
Take out wedding insurance
Throughout my years of photographing weddings, I’ve seen things go sideways… not because couples didn’t say “I do,” but because of all the unforeseen chaos around them. Venues shutting down at the last minute, vendors ghosting, sudden illness, and even global pandemics (thanks, COVID).
Wedding insurance helps protect your investment and your peace of mind when the unexpected happens. It won’t fix every issue, but it can help you avoid losing thousands if something forces you to cancel, postpone, or reroute your plans. Especially for destination weddings!
Helpful websites for planning your Portuguese (destination) wedding
We used casamentos.pt a lot for our research, and reached out to the vendors directly. The website was useful for flowers, hair and makeup, and local venues, especially if you’ve already decided on the location of your wedding. Here are some other sites:
- Wedding venues: ZankYou, Peach Perfect Weddings, and casamentos.pt
- Wedding website: The Knot, Squarespace, and WithJoy
- Wedding dresses (in Lisbon): Pronovias, The Soul Dress, and Bridal Stories
- Wedding flowers: I got creative and bought all mine at Mercado da Ribeira (next to Time Out Market)
- Wedding cake: Catarina Guerreiro
- Wedding rings: Make your own at Atelier by Catarino
- Wedding invitations and stationery: Jasmim Design
- Wedding decorations: PartyBite in Lisbon
📸 Are you looking for an elopement or wedding photographer? I’ve captured plenty of special days throughout Europe, and I would love to be a part of yours, too! Send me a message to chat, and tell me all about your wedding plans!
Top 5 wedding venues in Portugal for your special day!
We did a lot of research for our own wedding and ultimately decided to get married in Lisbon. It was strategic for us, as we live here, and also for our guests, who were a mix of Lisbon locals and those flying into Lisbon Airport. The venue was easily accessible for everyone, and there was space for our small group.
But before we settled, we looked at venues in Estoril, Oeiras, Algrave and Alentejo. Did you find the perfect venue? Remember to secure it by paying the deposit!
Here is a selection of 5 special wedding venues we found!
Páteo Alfacinha
I will start with Páteo Alfacinha, as we got married here! It’s not only beautiful, but they also have local vendors onsite, such as hair and makeup! The venue is situated on a hill, offering beautiful views of the 25th of April Bridge, and the service has been outstanding.
They have a local restaurant on site, Horta Restaurant, but most weddings are held in private rooms. There is the Outdoor Páteo with the Bandstand, and a Noble Hall with a Winter Garden, the Grocery Store, and the Wine Cellar.
Images from the Páteo Alfacinha website
On the day of our wedding, the venue was not in use by any other couples, and we were able to take photos around the terrace. We arranged a set menu with food choices for everyone, including those with special dietary requirements and children.
Monserrate Palace and Valverde Palácio de Seteais in Sintra
Who would not want to get married in Sintra!? This was a close second option, and if the date had been available at Parque e Palácio de Monserrate, this would have been our choice.
You can hold the civil ceremony at Monserrate Palace! It’s an amazing location to take images as well, and different locations have different capabilities. You can marry in front of the palace, in the music room, or in the abandoned chapel in the woods!
Afterwards, I found myself dreaming of the celebration and wedding night at Valverde Palácio de Seteais. They also offer full wedding packages. Ideal if Monserrate Palace isn’t quite your vibe. We still plan to stay in the hotel for one of our anniversaries!
Craveiral Farmhouse
We dreamed of a “Quinta” sort of farmhouse wedding in nature, and looked at the Algarve and Alentejo Regions. One of the most beautiful places we found was the Craveiral Farmhouse in Alentejo.
Images from the Craveiral Farmhouse brochure
As our guests would have to travel, we were looking for a place where everyone could stay overnight. You can rent the place privately, and it can host 140 people (as of 2024), spread across 38 houses.
Quinta da Abelheira
Looking for a wedding venue that’s historic and hassle-free? Quinta da Abelheira in Central Portugal dates back to 1608 and is located in the middle of nature. They have room for 350 seated guests or up to 800 for a cocktail reception. It was too large for us, but it looks like a stunning place to tie the knot!
Monte do Ramalho
Donkeys, hay bales, wide views, and a farmhouse, Monte do Ramalho has it all! They have 13 rooms for guests, two swimming pools, and indoor and outdoor spaces. There is even a tiny chapel to say the “I do’s”!
The farmhouse is situated in Alentejo, making it an ideal location for a rustic wedding setting. The package includes catering and stunning countryside backdrops. And animals are welcome! Oh… if only we could do it all over again!
Are there any unique Portuguese wedding traditions?
I’m not sure if it’s a tradition (I think it was more a legality), but we HAD to have our doors open during the ceremony. Just in case, someone would appeal to the marriage… We were mostly concerned that our cat would escape!
Guests often pin money to the bride’s dress during the reception as a playful way to help fund the honeymoon.
Don’t be surprised if the wedding starts late. In the Netherlands, it often starts in the morning around 11. In Ireland, the church ceremony often starts around 1 PM. In Portugal? We got married at 4 PM, as it was simply too hot earlier!
The “bolo de noiva” (wedding cake) is typically cut with the groom’s hand over the bride’s. This is for good luck.
You might also witness a toast just between the couple, often with some heartfelt words and sometimes a private moment (before the party kicks off again). This is known as Brinde dos Noivos.
FAQ
Can I get married in Portugal as a foreigner?
Yes, you absolutely can! Portugal welcomes foreign couples with open arms (and some paperwork). Whether you’re both non-residents or one of you is marrying a Portuguese citizen, you can tie the knot here. Just make sure you’ve got your documents in order to validate it (a legal advisor really helps here).
Is Portugal a good place to get married?
Oh yes, the weather is usually good and the venues are stunning! Whether you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful ceremony or go all out, you can plan an elegant wedding in the Mediterranean sun!
How much does a wedding cost in Portugal?
It really depends on your wishes. A simple civil ceremony at the registry office can cost just a few hundred euros, while a full-blown palace party with 100+ guests can easily stretch into five figures. Venue, catering, and legal fees are your biggest expenses. That said, Portugal offers great value compared to other European destinations.
Are you ready to plan your (destination) wedding in Portugal?
Whether you’re planning a fairy-tale castle celebration or an intimate seaside elopement, a wedding in Portugal offers beauty, culture, and legal certainty. With the right preparation, getting married in Portugal is not only possible, it’s unforgettable! Can you imagine ocean views, views over the Douro River, or getting married in a palace?
All in all, it took us around one year to plan our big day. We had a small group of guests, which made finding the perfect venue a little more challenging (a lot of places have a minimum number of guests). Dealing with the Portuguese authorities was relatively easy, as my husband speaks the language, but obtaining the correct paperwork from the Netherlands proved to be a bit more challenging.
Have you not proposed yet, but are planning to do so? I’ll be happy to help you find the best location if you are in Lisbon! I photograph many proposals in and around the city, and I would love to capture your special moment! Just shoot me a message!
Learn more about moving to Portugal!
- Essential things to know before moving to Portugal
- How to move to Portugal visa guide
- How to move to Portugal from the US
- Moving to Portugal from the UK: Practical Guide
- D2 Visa Portugal: How to apply for the entrepreneur visa
- D7 Passive Income Visa
- D8 The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa
- Golden Visa Portugal: A Pathway to Portuguese Residency for Investors
- The new Portugal NHR 2.0: Everything you need to know
- How to legally start as a freelancer in Portugal
- How to start a company in Portugal as a foreigner
- Tips for buying a house in Portugal as a foreigner
- How to plan your Portugal wedding as a foreigner
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