No, corporal punishment against children is illegal in Portugal under the 2007 Child Protection Act (Law 147/99, amended in 2015) and reinforced by the 2021 Penal Code revisions. The law explicitly prohibits any form of physical violence, including spanking, classifying it as a criminal offense under Article 152-A (Domestic Violence Against Minors). Violations may trigger mandatory reporting to the Comissão Nacional de Promoção dos Direitos e Proteção das Crianças e Jovens (CNPDPCJ), with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment.
Key Regulations for Spanking Your Child in Portugal
- Prohibition of Physical Punishment: Article 152-A of the Penal Code criminalizes any act causing physical harm or pain to a child, including spanking, under domestic violence statutes. Even “light” corporal punishment is deemed unlawful.
- Mandatory Reporting Obligations: Professionals (e.g., teachers, doctors) must report suspected cases to the CNPDPCJ or local social services (Segurança Social), per Law 147/99. Failure to report may result in administrative sanctions.
- Alternative Disciplinary Measures: The Estratégia Nacional para os Direitos da Criança 2021–2026 promotes non-violent discipline, requiring parents to adopt evidence-based parenting programs if deemed neglectful by authorities.