No. Cannibalism is not explicitly legal in Portugal, though the Penal Code lacks a direct prohibition. Consent-based acts may evade prosecution under current statutes, but public order or health risks could trigger liability under Articles 156 (endangering life) or 157 (bodily harm). The Procuradoria-Geral da República has signaled potential 2026 reforms to clarify ambiguities, particularly for assisted cases.
Key Regulations for Cannibalism in Portugal
- Article 156 (Endangering Life): Prohibits actions that risk another’s life, even with consent, aligning with EU public health standards enforced by the Direção-Geral da Saúde.
- Article 157 (Bodily Harm): Criminalizes severe harm, including dismemberment, with penalties up to 8 years’ imprisonment, irrespective of consent, per Supremo Tribunal de Justiça precedent.
- Public Order Clause (Article 281): Allows prosecution if acts disrupt societal norms, as interpreted by local prosecutors in Lisbon and Porto, where recent cases have tested these boundaries.
Recent Orçamento do Estado amendments (2024) mandate health authority oversight for extreme body modifications, indirectly impacting cannibalism-adjacent practices. The Comissão Nacional de Ética para as Ciências da Vida has called for explicit legislation by 2026, citing gaps in the Código Penal.