Marriage license: How it works in Portugal
21 de August, 2025
Getting married is one of the most special moments in the lives of those who choose to take this step. And, given that preparing for this day can be demanding, Portuguese law allows the bride and groom to take a few days after the ceremony to rest and relax.
Marriage leave is a period that allows employees to take time off work and go on their honeymoon, for example.
Find out how this right works in practice in Portugal.
What is a marriage license?
Marriage leave refers to the period of 15 consecutive days (working and non-working) that workers can take after their wedding. Absence from work during these days is considered justified absence and not vacation (Article 249 of the Labor Code).
How many days are included?
The worker is entitled to 15 consecutive days from the day of the wedding. The days are consecutive, i.e. they include weekends and any public holidays.
Does leave count as vacation?
Marriage leave does not affect or directly relate to vacation days. Even if you take the 15 days of leave, you are still entitled to the 22 days of vacation provided for by law.
This only does not apply if the desired period of marriage leave coincides with the period in which the company is closed for vacation. In this case, employees take the established vacation period and lose their right to the leave days.
As such, find out if your company closes for the vacations and if this could happen close to your wedding date.
How do I notify my employer?
Marriage leave must be requested from the company at least 5 days in advance (Article 253 of the Labor Code).
If this notice is not complied with, the employer may consider the absences to be unjustified.
There is no official model for how to make this request. You can only communicate it verbally or formalize it by email or letter, for example. Check with your company’s Human Resources department which format is most appropriate.
Are the leave days paid?
The use of marriage leave does not result in any reduction in the employee’s salary. However, the right to other components of remuneration paid for each day actually worked, such as the meal allowance, is excluded.
Does the right to leave continue if you’ve only been with the company for a short time?
There is no minimum period of work for employees to be entitled to marriage leave. This leave can be taken regardless of seniority in the company.
Does the right to leave remain if you get married a second time?
If you decide to remarry, and even if you still work for the same company, you will always be entitled to use your marriage leave. However, it must be a civil remarriage.
In other words, if you’ve already had a civil marriage and now only want to have a religious ceremony, the right to a license doesn’t apply.