Are snus and nicotine pouches legal in Portugal?
Tobacco-free nicotine pouches became legal to sell in Portugal in early 2026, when the government added them to the list of nicotine products subject to the tobacco consumption tax (IEC); Tabaqueira began selling them in tobacconists in March 2026. A bill approved by the Council of Ministers on 7 May 2026 would ban flavours and online sales and set a nicotine cap by decree. Tobacco snus cannot be sold (Lei 37/2007, Art. 14), but a personal supply may be brought in; customs lists 250 g of snuff and 20 g of nicotine pouches as tax-free luggage allowances.
Southern Europe, EU member
Portugal at a glance
| Nicotine pouches (tobacco-free) | Tobacco snus | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale to adults | Legal | Banned |
| Possession and use | Legal | Legal |
| Personal import (mail order, bringing in) | Allowed | Allowed |
| Online sale inside the country | Unclear | Not allowed |
| Regulated | as a nicotine product (own category) | as a tobacco product |
| Minimum age | No specific limit found | 18 |
| Nicotine strength cap | No legal cap found | No legal cap found |
| Flavours | No flavour restrictions | Unclear |
| Excise tax | Yes | Unclear |
| Legal basis | Código dos Impostos Especiais de Consumo (as amended 2026); Lei 37/2007 as amended by Lei 63/2017 and Lei 13/2023 | Lei n.º 37/2007, de 14 de agosto, Art. 14.º (as amended by Lei 63/2017 transposing Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17) |
| In force since | 1 January 2026 | 1 January 2007 |
Medium confidence: Based on consistent secondary sources; primary text not yet verified. Research tier 1. How we verify.
Nicotine pouches in Portugal
Legal since 2026, taxed; restrictions pending.
Per ECO (9 March 2026) the government included nicotine pouches among the tobacco and nicotine products subject to IEC, which made legal sale possible; Tabaqueira had requested marketing authorisation and started soft launches in tobacconists. Until then pouches lacked a tax classification and were technically not marketable, though available in some kiosks. The 18-year minimum age of the tobacco law is expected to apply but was not verified for pouches specifically; the exact IEC rate and whether Lei 13/2023 (in force 25 Oct 2023) already covered tobacco-free nicotine products could not be confirmed from primary text. Pending: a bill approved by the Council of Ministers on 7 May 2026 with a flavour ban, a ban on online sales and a nicotine cap to be fixed by later decree.
Tax: Included in 2026 in the list of products subject to the special consumption tax on tobacco (IEC); rate not verified.
Sources: ECO, The Portugal News, Considerate Pouchers, Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR), Nicotine Science and Policy (GSTHR)
Tobacco snus in Portugal
Banned for sale, legal to use.
Art. 14.º reads 'É proibida a comercialização de tabacos para uso oral.' The ban covers placing on the market, not possession or personal use. GSTHR notes that importing snus for personal use is possible while import for trade or online purchase is illegal. Tobacco sales to under-18s are prohibited.
Tax: Not marketable, so no retail excise in practice.
Sources: Tobacco Control Laws (document mirror of Diário da República text), Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira, Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR)
Bringing snus or nicotine pouches into Portugal
| For personal use | Allowed Smoking tobacco: 250 g from outside the EU, 1 kg from EU countries. In addition the Portuguese Tax and Customs Authority lists excise-free luggage allowances for other tobacco and nicotine products from both EU and non-EU origin: snuff 250 g, chewing tobacco 250 g, heated tobacco 20 g, e-liquid 30 ml, nicotine pouches 20 g. |
| Declaration | Not required within the allowance Dry goods; no restrictions in carry-on or checked baggage. |
| Penalties | No specific penalty information found. |
No exemption for travellers under 17 arriving from third countries. General goods allowance EUR 430 (air/sea) or EUR 300 (land). The 20 g pouch allowance is the excise-free quantity; larger personal quantities are not prohibited but may be taxed.
Full travel guide: can you bring snus and nicotine pouches to Portugal?
Buying snus and pouches in Portugal
- Nicotine pouches sold in shops: Yes
- Tobacco snus sold in shops: No
- Brands commonly seen: ZYN
Pending and proposed changes
- Bill approved by the Council of Ministers on 7 May 2026 tightening rules for nicotine pouches: flavour ban, ban on online sales, packaging and product standards, with the maximum nicotine level deferred to a later decree. Requires parliamentary approval. Status: proposed.
- EU Tobacco Products Directive and excise directive revisions may bring nicotine pouches under EU-wide rules; Portugal has opposed taxing pouches at cigarette levels. Expected: 2026. Status: consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Are nicotine pouches legal in Portugal?
Yes, since early 2026. The government added tobacco-free nicotine pouches to the list of products subject to the tobacco consumption tax, and Tabaqueira began selling them in tobacconists in March 2026. Before that they had no legal tax classification and could not be sold officially.
Is Portugal going to restrict nicotine pouches?
A bill approved by the Council of Ministers on 7 May 2026 would ban flavours and online sales and set a nicotine cap by decree. It still needs parliamentary approval.
Is snus legal in Portugal?
Tobacco snus may not be sold in Portugal (Lei 37/2007, Art. 14, implementing the EU oral tobacco ban). Using it and bringing in a personal supply are allowed.
How many nicotine pouches or how much snus can I bring to Portugal?
Portuguese customs lists 20 g of nicotine pouches, 250 g of snuff and 250 g of chewing tobacco as excise-free luggage allowances, and 250 g of smoking tobacco from outside the EU or 1 kg from EU countries.
What is the age limit for nicotine pouches in Portugal?
Tobacco products may not be sold to under-18s. Pouches are treated as a nicotine product under the tobacco tax regime, and shops apply the same 18-year limit, but a pouch-specific age rule was not verified.
Nearby in the atlas
- Albania – pouches unregulated (sold openly), snus banned
- Andorra – pouches no specific rule found, snus no specific rule found
- Austria – pouches legal with restrictions, snus banned
- Belarus – pouches unregulated (sold openly), snus legal
- Belgium – pouches banned, snus banned
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – pouches no specific rule found, snus legal
- Bulgaria – pouches legal with restrictions, snus banned
- Croatia – pouches legal, snus banned
- Cyprus – pouches prescription only, snus banned
- Czechia – pouches legal with restrictions, snus banned
Where are nicotine pouches legal?Where is snus legal?Strength limits by countryAge limits by countryThe EU snus ban explained
Sources
- Lei n.º 37/2007, de 14 de agosto (versão consolidada com Lei 63/2017), Art. 14.º Tabaco para uso oral – Tobacco Control Laws (document mirror of Diário da República text) (Legislation, 14 August 2007; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“Artigo 14.º Tabaco para uso oral. É proibida a comercialização de tabacos para uso oral.”
- Travellers' guide (Guia para viajantes) – Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (Customs; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“Other tobacco products — tax free (excise duties), contained in travellers' luggage from third countries, third territories and from EU Member States: Snuff 250 g; Chewing tobacco 250 g; Heated tobacco 20 g; Liquid ... 30 ml; Nicotine pouches 20 g”
- Tabaqueira vai começar a vender bolsas de nicotina em Portugal este ano – ECO (News, 9 March 2026; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
- Nicotine pouches to be sold in Portugal – The Portugal News (News, 9 March 2026; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“this confirmation follows the government's inclusion of nicotine pouches on the list of tobacco and nicotine products already available in kiosks and subject to the special consumption tax (IEC)”
- Considerate Pouchers raises concerns over Portugal's proposed nicotine pouch regulations – Considerate Pouchers (NGO / research, 12 May 2026; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“Deferring nicotine cap levels to a later decree means the most critical detail remains unknown.”
- Portugal country profile – Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) (NGO / research; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“it is illegal to import snus for trade or buy the product online, it is possible to import it for personal use.”
- Nicotine pouches to be sold in Portugal (news digest) – Nicotine Science and Policy (GSTHR) (NGO / research, 16 March 2026; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“The Portuguese government has approved the sale of nicotine pouches, which differ from snus as they do not contain tobacco.”
- Portugal pushes back: the economic and public health stakes in the EU tobacco tax reform – GINN (Trade press, 6 August 2025; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“By applying similar or identical excise taxes to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches, the proposal removes financial incentives for smokers to switch to less harmful alternatives.”
- Lei n.º 13/2023, de 3 de abril (alteração à Lei 37/2007) – Diário da República (Legislation, 3 April 2023; accessed 4 September 2026) , not re-verified
Record last verified 4 September 2026. Found an error or a newer rule? Tell us and we will re-check the source.