Portuguese courts keep operating during summer judicial vacations

Portugal’s judiciary begins its summer vacation period on 15 July, lasting until 31 August. Judges are entitled to 22 working days of leave, but the schedule is split into rotating shifts so that courts remain open for urgent matters such as custody hearings, parole reviews, and cases involving detained individuals. Non‑urgent proceedings are generally paused, with deadlines suspended, but the three‑day grace period for filing a contestation after a deadline still runs during the vacation, subject to a monetary penalty of up to €714.

The system aims to balance judges’ right to rest with the need to maintain essential judicial functions. Judges must remain on call for emergencies, and the rotation means each judge works roughly a week at a time before taking a week off. Critics argue the arrangement creates delays for litigants who must pay fines to file after deadlines, while the courts contend it prevents a total shutdown of justice services during the summer months.