Yes, collecting feathers in Portugal is legal under strict conditions, primarily governed by the Regulamento da Lei de Biodiversidade (Decreto-Lei n.º 140/99) and the Convenção sobre o Comércio Internacional das Espécies da Fauna e Flora Selvagens Ameaçadas de Extinção (CITES). Wild bird feathers require permits from Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas (ICNF), while domestic poultry feathers are exempt. Recent 2026 amendments tightened controls on migratory species, aligning with EU Biodiversity Strategy targets.
Key Regulations for Collecting Feathers in Portugal
- Protected Species Ban: Feathers from wild birds listed in Annex A of CITES or under ICNF’s Plano Sectorial da Rede Natura 2000 require an export/collection permit. Violations incur fines up to €30,000 under Lei n.º 31/2014.
- Domestic Exemption: Feathers from farmed poultry (e.g., Gallus gallus) are unrestricted if sourced from regulated slaughterhouses, per Decreto-Lei n.º 113/2011.
- Seasonal Restrictions: Collecting during breeding seasons (March–July) is prohibited for species like Passer domesticus or Columba palumbus, enforced via ICNF’s Sistema de Monitorização de Aves Selvagens.