Elsa
Lawyer · Lisbon, Portugal
- 640 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 29+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Portuguese
- Law, Autonoma University Lisbon
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4.88(11 reviews)
Defence against Domestic Violence Allegations in Portugal
This page is for a person in Portugal accused of domestic violence by a partner, former partner or relative, and for family helping from abroad. It explains why the case continues even if the complaint is withdrawn, what measures a judge can impose and what a lawyer does for the accused.
About Defence against Domestic Violence Allegations in Portugal
Domestic violence allegations in Portugal, also described as being accused of domestic violence or facing domestic violence charges, concern the offence of violência doméstica, which covers spouses, partners and former partners, parents and children and people living in the same household, whatever their gender. The accused becomes a formal suspect (arguido) and may face pre-trial measures (medidas de coação) such as leaving the home or a no-contact order. This page is for the accused; it is general information, not legal advice. A person who is at risk finds a separate page on restraining orders. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Cases of Alleged Domestic Violence”.
Who needs this
A foreign resident whose partner or ex-partner has made a complaint, a person taken from the home by the police after an argument, a parent accused during a separation or a dispute about the children, and relatives abroad who hear that someone has been detained.
How a case runs in Portugal
- Violência doméstica is a public offence (crime público): once the police or the prosecutor know of it, the case goes ahead whether or not the complainant wants it. A withdrawn complaint (retirar a queixa) does not close the case, although the complainant's account remains central evidence.
- After the person is made arguido, a judge decides within a short time on urgent measures: an order to leave and not approach the home (afastamento da residência), a ban on contact by any means (proibição de contactos), sometimes electronic monitoring (pulseira eletrónica) or a ban on holding weapons. These are precautions, not a finding of guilt.
- Breaking a measure, even with one message, can lead to a stricter one, up to pre-trial detention (prisão preventiva).
- The investigation (inquérito) ends with the case closed, charged or, where the law allows and the complainant freely agrees, provisionally suspended on conditions. After a conviction the court may add a no-contact order or a prevention programme as an additional penalty (pena acessória).
What to pay attention to
The first statement to the police shapes the file. Messages, call records and witnesses on both sides are evidence, and so is any contact made while a no-contact order is in force. An accusation often runs alongside a separation, so decisions about child custody and the home may be taken while the criminal case is open.
What an English-speaking lawyer does
The lawyer explains the accusation and the measures in plain English, attends the interviews with an interpreter where needed, asks the judge to review or soften the measures, gathers the defence evidence, represents the accused at trial and explains the effect on a residence permit or on a later criminal record certificate. An accusation of violence outside the family is described under assault charges. More on criminal law in Portugal.
Questions and answers
My partner wants to withdraw the complaint. Does the case stop?
No. Because the offence is public, the prosecutor decides whether the case continues. The complainant's wish may be taken into account at later stages, but it does not end the process by itself.
Does the no-contact order mean the court believes I am guilty?
No. The measure is based on the information available at that moment and on the risk the judge sees. Guilt is decided, if at all, at trial.
Can I see my children while the measures are in force?
It depends on the wording of the measures and on any decision of the family court. Contact arranged outside those rules can be treated as a breach, so this is worth settling through the lawyers.
Can I leave Portugal?
Only if no measure forbids it. The accused remains obliged to receive notifications at the address given and to appear when summoned.
4 lawyers who provide Defence against Domestic Violence Allegations in Portugal
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
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Carolina
Lawyer · Lisbon, Portugal
- 366 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 4+ years in practice
- Speaks: Spanish, English, Portuguese
- Law, University of Coimbra
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4.91(11 reviews)
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Jorge
Lawyer · Porto, Portugal
- 116 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 9+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Portuguese
- Law, Coimbra
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5.00(6 reviews)
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Goncalo
Lawyer · Lagos, Portugal
- 55 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 7+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French
- Degree in Law, Universidade de Lisboa
Contact form · a chat with a lawyer
Talk to a lawyer about Defence against Domestic Violence Allegations
4 registered lawyers provide this service in Portugal. Describe your situation in a short chat — what happened, where, and how to reach you. Your enquiry is reviewed and passed to a lawyer who handles exactly this kind of case, with no obligation.
We are not just a place to list a profile: we work with every lawyer individually. Each one is registered with a bar association, and their experience, languages and client reviews are shown openly on their card.
Enquiries are answered by lawyers of AdvocateAbroad. This site provides legal information, not legal advice.
What our clients say about our service in Portugal
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He is a highly professional and experienced lawyer based in Alicante. He explained my options and advised me on how to resolve my case. He did very well: the case was resolved and dismissed. I highly recommend him to anyone needing a lawyer in Alicante, Spain.
— Oleg12 May 2025Defence against Domestic Violence Allegations -
I found the professional extremely helpful and informative. The advice set my mind at ease, and I am completely satisfied with the help. I plan to get in touch again next year.
— William14 Apr 2024 -
Thank you for everything. You came to my aid within two hours and have gone on supporting me through a very complicated case, always available whenever I have a question or need something.
— A client25 Jul 2022 -
The lawyer was very kind, professional and extremely knowledgeable. I only wish we had found him at the start, because I think the outcome would have been completely different.
— Sally-Ann25 Jul 2022 -
The professionalism far exceeded what I have been used to with similar practices in other European countries. The lawyer was very caring and sensitive in assisting with a very emotional family bereavement in the Algarve.
— Ian07 Sep 2026Assistance with Motor Vehicle Processes, Portugal -
Her service was first class, the best I could have hoped for. She was helpful at every turn and happily explained whatever I had not understood, and I was completely satisfied with the outcome. The survey cannot capture the extent of what she did for my family. Her grasp of her field, and explaining everything in both Portuguese and English, is amazing. I am deeply grateful.
— Sonia07 May 2026 -
He is an excellent lawyer and a true professional. I used his services on two occasions: first a consultation in the summer of 2025 about the best way for a US citizen like me to get a Portuguese visa, and then, most recently, to get a marriage license in Portugal. Since my wife and I left it quite late, we took him on in a rush, close to the deadline, and he finished everything extremely quickly and helped us collect and translate the required documents. His English is flawless, so we never had trouble understanding him, and communication was great throughout. The whole process was incredibly smooth. He even gave us additional service beyond what we had hired him for, and he made the entire thing stress-free. If you need any legal assistance, I highly recommend him; he is our lawyer of choice in Portugal.
— Ryan19 Mar 2026 -
The lawyer was very supportive and helpful. I feel lucky to have chosen her to assist with what turned out to be a very complicated sale, and her English was perfect. I am very grateful for all her work, help and advice and would highly recommend her to anyone.
— Louise26 Feb 2025 -
Real expertise in her field, good understanding and great communication, finding what works best for her clients. Honest, well spoken, and perfect English.
— Fernando30 Nov 2023 -
The lawyer pulled me out of trouble quickly. What I badly needed was exactly what I got: prompt answers, understanding, good value for money, and the ability to explain matters and propose fitting solutions. His English is flawless as well. For approachability and professionalism he cannot be beaten. For comparison, I have been through three other accountants since settling in Portugal, and none of them achieved much. Two of them gave me wrong advice that ended in fines, and their communication was dreadful. Thanks.
— John02 Nov 2022Fiscal Advice, Portugal -
The lawyer was quick to respond and an effective communicator, and his English was perfect. He sent good email replies to clarify after the call. I am happy with the value and appreciated his straightforwardness. Hopefully the solution works, but it seems the best and easiest option I have been given so far.
— James20 Oct 2022Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) Tax Status Application, Portugal -
We hired the lawyer for two matters: our Portuguese residency, and transferring ownership of the property we had bought. We are delighted to rate him 5 stars on both, as he proved helpful, professional and highly competent and finished the two tasks with no problems. We will certainly use him again.
— Allan17 Oct 2022