objeção de consciência
Published 6 November 2026, 09:07
objeção de consciência — conscientious objection to military service
The right to ask to be exempted from military service, for a citizen who, for religious, moral, humanist or philosophical reasons, is not prepared to use violence against another person. The application goes to the National Commission for Conscientious Objection (CNOC), and military obligations are suspended until it reaches a decision.
Where you come across it. You apply no later than 30 days before the call-up to National Defence Day; you can also apply after you have already attended it.
Exemption does not mean "doing nothing": instead of military service, civilian service of comparable difficulty may be required. The application must include statements from three witnesses and an explanation of how the person's convictions show in their everyday actions. The status can be given up, in which case a person under 35 goes back to the usual obligations.
Official website: gov.pt/guias/dia-da-defesa-nacional-e-das-obrigacoes-militares