Everything you need to know about the Legislative Elections of May 18 in Portugal
- Patrícia Rosas
- 23 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Everything you need to know about the 2025 legislative elections in Portugal
With the arrival of the 2025 legislative elections in Portugal, scheduled for May 18, the political environment in Portugal is warming up and, more than ever, it is essential to be informed. In this article, prepared especially for the readers of Dicas de Lisboa, we have gathered the main questions and answers so that you can vote with confidence and awareness.
This content was inspired by the guide published by the portal Idealista, With updated information validated by official sources such as the National Elections Commission (CNE) and the General Secretariat of the Ministry of Internal Administration (SGMAI).
📌 Which parties are in the race?
This year, in all, 21 parties and coalitions that are on the ballot will run in the 2025 legislative elections in Portugal. Here are some of the main ones:
PS
AD (PSD/CDS-PP)
Chega
Iniciativa Liberal
BE
CDU (PCP/PEV)
Livre
PAN
Volt Portugal
Social Liberal Party (decient in 2025)
Each party presents candidacies in different constituencies. For example, the Social Liberal Party competes in only five, while the PPM, ADN and RIR are present in all of them.
🗳️ How many deputies are elected per district?
In all, 230 deputies will be elected to the Assembly of the Republic. The number of deputies varies according to the constituency:
Lisboa: 48 deputados
Porto: 40
Braga e Setúbal: 19 cada
Madeira: 6
Açores: 5
Smaller circles (such as Beja, Guarda, Portalegre): elect between 2 and 3 deputies
The distribution is proportional to the population of each region.
🧾 Who can vote?
You can vote:
Portuguese citizens aged 18 years or older, duly registered
Brazilians living in Portugal with equal status of political rights
Young people who turn 18 on election day
📍 Where do you vote?
To know exactly where to vote, you can:
Send an SMS with the text: RE (your Civil Identification number) (date of birth YYYYMMDD) to 3838 (free service);
Access the Electoral Census portal with your personal data.
The exact location of your polling station is available about 15 days before the election.
⏰ What time is the polls?
The polls will be open between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm. Anyone who is inside the polling place until 7:00 p.m. can vote normally, even if the queue advances after that time.
🗳️ What to bring on voting day?
You must present:
The Citizen Card or Identity Card
In case of loss, another official document with updated photograph
If you don't have any documents with you, you can be identified by two known voters or by the members of the table, provided there is consensus
Note: The voter number is no longer necessary since 2018.
✅ Early voting: when and how?
If you can't vote on May 18, you have the option of early voting in mobility, on May 11. Just place the order between May 4 and 8:
By the website: www.votoantecipado.pt
Or by mail, sending your data and address to the General Secretariat of the MAI
If you are abroad, you can also vote in advance between May 6 and 8, provided that your absence is for professional, academic or medical reasons, as indicated by Idealista.
🧍♂️ Can I vote accompanied?
Yes, but only if you have a visible illness or physical disability that prevents the autonomous exercise of voting. The person who accompanies you must maintain absolute secrecy about your vote.
✖️ What if I get a mistake when filling out the bulletin?
If you make a mistake before putting the ballot in the ballot box, just ask for a new one at the table. The previous one will be cancelled.
🔢 How is the vote count done?
The count begins right after the polls close, at 7 pm. The process is public, and the bulletins are classified as:
Valid votes
Blank votes
Null votes
The results are sent to the CNE, validated and then officially disclosed.
📈 How many voters are registered?
According to the CNE, the total number of registered voters is 10,850,615 - an increase of more than 36,000 compared to the 2023 legislative elections.
🗣️ The vote is yours. The decision too.
These elections are an opportunity to actively participate in Portuguese democracy. With so many options at stake and with the possibility of early voting, there are no longer any excuses for not exercising your right.
Inform yourself. Participate. Vote.
If you want to share your voting experience or questions about the process, send us a message through the Sharing Experiences section on the site or through our social networks.
Comments