Portugal prepares public safety measures for August 12 solar eclipse

The Portuguese Order of Doctors, led by ophthalmology college president Joana Ferreira, is urging authorities to place public alerts on beaches, viewpoints and other leisure sites ahead of the total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026. Ferreira warned that viewing the eclipse without certified glasses can cause a "retinopathy solar" – a permanent retinal burn – and called for warnings in media and at popular gathering spots.

The national health authority, the Direção‑Geral da Saúde (DGS), issued detailed safety guidelines, stressing that the eclipse will last about two hours (18:33‑20:23) with the maximum obscuration lasting less than half a minute at 19:30. It reiterated that ordinary sunglasses, CDs, radiographs or improvised filters do not protect the eyes and that only glasses meeting ISO 12312‑2 and bearing the CE mark are safe. The DGS also advised special precautions for children and recommended indirect viewing methods such as live broadcasts.

Portugal will experience totality for only a brief 26‑second interval in a small area of the Montesinho Natural Park near Bragança, the first total eclipse visible in the country since 1912. Elsewhere the eclipse will be partial, with up to 99 % coverage on the mainland. Free certified eclipse glasses have been made available for reservation online, and pharmacies and supermarkets will sell certified glasses for a modest price. Science Viva officials warned against using phones or cameras without proper solar filters, as they can be damaged by the intense light.