No, producing homemade spirits in Portugal violates the Regulamento (UE) 2019/787 and Decreto-Lei n.º 15/2019, which align with EU excise duty frameworks. The Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT) enforces these rules, with penalties ranging from €500 to €5,000 for unlicensed distillation. Recent 2026 amendments tighten oversight, requiring prior authorization for any alcohol production.
Key Regulations for Making Moonshine at Home in Portugal
- Licensing Mandate: Distillation requires a Licença de Fabrico de Bebidas Espirituosas from the AT, reserved for commercial entities. Home production is explicitly excluded under Artigo 22.º of Decreto-Lei n.º 15/2019.
- Excise Duty Compliance: All spirits must be declared and taxed via the Sistema de Controlo de Bebidas Espirituosas (SCBE), with home-produced batches subject to immediate seizure and fines.
- Equipment Restrictions: Possession of unregistered stills or distillation apparatus is criminalized under Artigo 34.º of Lei n.º 83/2019, with potential confiscation and criminal charges for repeat offenses.
Local enforcement prioritizes urban areas like Lisbon and Porto, where AT inspectors conduct periodic checks. Exceptions exist solely for aguardente production under Denominação de Origem Protegida (DOP) certifications, strictly regulated by Comissão Vitivinícola Regional bodies. Non-compliance risks not only financial penalties but also criminal prosecution under Código Penal provisions for tax evasion.