Municipalities manage core public services and urban planning, including:

Urban development and land use; waste management and environmental protection; local transportation and road maintenance; education (maintenance and support of local schools); public health initiatives and emergency response; cultural, sports, and recreational activities; social support programmes for families, seniors, and vulnerable groups.

Municipalities also control local budgets and may raise taxes and fees to fund projects and services.

Juntas de Freguesia (Civil Parishes)

handle more localised community matters including maintenance of parks, squares, and streets; issuance of administrative documents and attestations; organising cultural events and local activities; supporting local charities and community groups; providing basic social support and guidance to residents.

Together, municipalities and civil parishes form the backbone of local governance in Portugal, directly affecting communities in their daily lives.

As a resident, your vote can shape the future of your community.

Portugal permits foreign residents to vote in local elections, which include municipal councils and civil parish assemblies  – if they meet specific legal requirements.

Eligibility to vote depends on nationality and duration of legal residence. Citizens of other EU countries can vote in local elections in Portugal if they are registered in the electoral roll, and Portuguese citizens have reciprocal voting rights in their country of origin.

British nationals who were legally residing in Portugal before the Brexit deadline (31 January 2020) retain the right to vote in local elections, as per the EU–UK Withdrawal Agreement.

Nationals of Brazil and Cape Verde can vote after two years of legal residence. Citizens from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Iceland, Norway, New Zealand, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela need three years of legal residence.

These voting rights apply exclusively to local elections. Foreign residents cannot vote in national elections, such as legislative or presidential programmes.

If you think your vote means nothing, take a look at the numbers of foreign residents in the Algarve.

• Albufeira: Approximately 30%
• Loulé: 25-28%
• Tavira: 22-25%
• Lagos: 20-22%
• Portimão: 15-18%
• Faro: 12-15%
• Silves: 15%
• Monchique: 10-12%.

These percentages illustrate the substantial foreign communities contributing to local culture, economy, and society. However, despite their numbers, voter registration among eligible foreigners often remains low. Imagine how different the Algarve would be if all the foreign residents who are entitled to vote, did so.

Foreign residents must proactively register to vote. This must be done at least 60 days before election day, ie between 22 September and 14 October 2025. The official date will be announced by the government with a minimum of 80 days’ notice.

To register, visit your local Junta de Freguesia (civil parish office) or Loja do Cidadão (Citizen’s Bureau) with the following documents: a valid residence permit, or other legal proof of residency; a passport or national identity card; proof of address (eg a utility bill).

Once registered, your name will be added to the electoral roll of your parish and municipality. You will then be eligible to vote for the municipal council (including the mayor and councillors) and the civil parish assembly.

Despite the relative simplicity of the process, foreign voter registration needs to increase. But you can contribute to that. For foreign residents, participating in local elections is both a right and an opportunity. It is a way to influence the quality of life in your community, whether that’s the schools your children attend, the safety of your streets, or the cleanliness of your parks.

If you are eligible, register early, well before the 60-day deadline. Now that you know that you are entitled to vote, and how to do it, you can help change by simply exercising a right that you have.

Visit your local Junta de Freguesia or consult the National Election Commission website or the High Commission for Migration (ACM).

Ramos & Associados Sociedade de Advogados SP RL

Avenida 5 de Outubro, 169–171, 8135-101 Almancil

T:  289 413 063 / E:  info@nramoslawyers.com / nramoslawyers.com