“We both agree to divorce”
If you agree on everything, the divorce can be dealt with at the Civil Registry Office (Conservatória do Registo Civil) rather than in court. The real work is in the agreements, because they govern family life afterwards.
Divorce in Portugal · Lisbon law firm
Divorcing in Portugal, or from abroad? Know where you stand first.
Children, the family home, money and property. We explain your options under Portuguese law in English, and whether Portugal is the right place for your divorce at all.
Family cases are handled by Dra. Sara Ribeiro Santos, founding partner, in English.
- 4.852 reviews on Google
- Reply within 24 working hours
- In Lisbon or by video call, in English
Is this you?
Questions we hear from international couples
A divorce that involves more than one country raises questions of its own. The answer changes the route, the time it takes and the cost.
“My husband or wife won't agree”
Without consent, the divorce goes to court and needs a ground set out in the law, such as a period of separation. In court you must be represented by a lawyer.
“We live in different countries”
Which country's courts can decide, and which country's law applies, depends on where each of you lives and on your nationalities. Sometimes more than one country is possible, and where you file first can matter.
“We have children”
Parental responsibilities, where the children live, contact with each parent and maintenance all have to be agreed or decided. A move abroad with the children needs the other parent's agreement or a court decision.
“I'm worried the children will be taken abroad”
Taking a child to another country without the other parent's consent can be wrongful removal under the Hague Convention on child abduction. If you fear this, or it has happened, speak to a lawyer without delay.
“We own property in Portugal”
What belongs to each of you depends on your matrimonial property regime, which may be Portuguese or foreign. The property can be divided with the divorce, later by agreement, or through an inventory process.
How we help
What we do for you
Choosing the route
We tell you whether your divorce can go to the Civil Registry Office or must go to court, and whether Portugal is the right country to file in.
The agreements
We draft or review the agreements on the children, the family home, maintenance between spouses and the list of joint assets.
Children across borders
We deal with parental responsibilities and relocation abroad and, where needed, with return proceedings under the Hague Convention.
Property and money
We establish your matrimonial property regime and deal with dividing the property you own in Portugal.
Court proceedings
When there is no agreement, we represent you in the Portuguese courts at every stage.
A divorce granted abroad
If you divorced in another country, we help you get the decision recognised and recorded in Portugal so that it takes effect here.
How it works
From the first call to the decision, with one lawyer
- 01
Initial consultation
At our office or by video call. We listen, look at your documents and tell you which route fits your case.
- 02
The agreements
We prepare or review the agreements on the children, the home, maintenance and property before anyone signs.
- 03
The process
We file at the Civil Registry Office or in court, and represent you at each stage.
- 04
After the divorce
Where there is property, we deal with dividing it, and with any later changes to the arrangements for the children.
What it costs
You know the cost before we start
The first consultation has a fixed price. Any work after that is quoted and agreed with you in advance.
First step
Initial consultation: €90
- We look at your situation and any documents you already have
- At our Lisbon office or by video call
- In English
- No obligation to instruct us afterwards
After the consultation
A fee agreed before we start
- A quote for your route: registry office or court
- Agreed with you before any work begins
- Registry and court fees are separate from our fee
Book a consultation
We reply within 24 working hours
Who handles it
A partner who has practised family law for decades
You deal with a partner
Family cases are handled by Dra. Sara Ribeiro Santos, a founding partner with more than 35 years of practice, who works with clients in English.
If an agreement is the shorter way, we say so
Not every divorce needs a court. Many are settled with well-drafted agreements and negotiation between lawyers.
Confidential from the first message
Everything you tell us is covered by professional secrecy, including your first request through this page.
No promises we cannot keep
No lawyer can guarantee the outcome of a case, and our professional rules do not allow us to promise it. What we can commit to is a clear analysis, a strategy and steady follow-up.
Google reviews from people who have contacted us. Most are written in Portuguese.
4.8/ 5
52 reviews on Google (September 2026)
Óptimo aconselhamento na área de família. Todo o meu processo foi conduzido pela Dra. Sara Santos, muito profissional, que sempre esclareceu todas as minhas dúvidas e mostrou-se sempre…
Filipa R.Fui atendida pela Dr Sara, e enalteço seu profissionalismo, sempre pronta a responder a questões relacionadas com regulação do poder parental, e sempre disponivel para me atender.
Carmen C.Recomendo o vosso serviço pois é mesmo 5 estrelas, um agradecimento especial para o Dr. Ricardo e a Dra. Sara, muito obrigado!
Menez B.Excelentes profissionais, confiança e total transparência. Sempre presentes e disponíveis no acompanhamento ao longo de todo o processo e em todos os esclarecimentos.
Sofia O.
Profissionalismo alicerçado com uma boa dose de respeito pelos conflitos pessoais dos seus clientes. Informação sempre cabal e ao dispor de quem os procura.
Paulo C.
Profissionais de excelência, pela sua ética profissional, competência e confiança transmitida. Recomendo todos os serviços prestados pela Ribesa Advogados.
Mariana C.
Fiquei muito satisfeito com o excelente serviço prestado pela equipa. Ótimos profissionais, confiáveis, competentes e sempre ao dispor para ajudar.
Vitor C.
Estou bastante satisfeito com o trabalho realizado. Serviço de qualidade! Equipa competente e sempre disponível durante todo o processo.
João C.Empresa com excelentes profissionais e 100% confiável. Sempre disponíveis para ajudar, acompanhando todo o processo até ao fim!
Tatiana N.
Serviço 5*. Foram muito atenciosos durante todo o processo, quer a forma de abordagem a forma de trato. Recomendo
João M.
Aconselho a Ribesa Advogados a quem estiver à procura de carácter, profissionalismo, dedicação, e excelência.
Selma S.
Altamente recomendável. Profissionais até ao fim. Sempre prestáveis, disponíveis e de um empenho fantástico.
Pedro P.
Pessoas 5 estrelas muito simpáticas e muito competentes e disponíveis. Recomendo sem hesitações
Diogo R.
Com tão excelentes profissionais, o serviço só poderá ser igualmente excelente! Recomendo.
Ma L.
Bastante honestos, profissionais disponíveis e prestáveis. Esclareceram todas as dúvidas.
Eduardo M.Equipa de profissionais de excelência, competentes e de confiança. Recomendo.
Sónia M.
Equipa muito simpática e muito profissional!! Recomendo a 100%!!
Filipa F.
Recomendo os serviços. São de grande profissionalismo e simpatia
Ana A.
Competência, acessibilidade e alto nível de profissionalismo
Kiko F.
Excelente serviço e acompanhamento ao cliente! Recomendo.
Inês F.
Equipa de advogados altamente competente. Recomendo.
Susana C.
Competência, atenção, simpatia! Recomendo bastante.
Sofia L.
Defesa Militar. Com profissionalismo e competência
Hugo M.Profissionais competentes e atenciosos. Recomendo
Gustavo P.
Muito simpáticos, atenciosos e competentes.
Suenia B.
Equipa muito profissional e que recomendo
Anabela S.
Muito competentes e simples. Recomendo
Bruno P.
Advogados muito competentes. Recomendo
Ana P.
Excelente equipa profissional.
José A.
Not sure you need a lawyer?Tell us what is happening. If you don't need one, we will say so.
Explain my case
Our office
Av. Júlio Dinis, n.º 2, Lisbon
Next to Campo Pequeno. Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 18:00, by appointment. Meet us at the office or by video call from wherever you are.
- Address
- Av. Júlio Dinis, n.º 2, 2.º Esq.
1050-131 Lisbon, Portugal - Metro
- Campo Pequeno (yellow line)Av. da República exit, Av. de Berna side
- Contact
- contacto@ribesa.ptWhatsApp +351 935 718 531 (call to a Portuguese mobile network)
Frequently asked questions
What international couples ask us about divorce
If your question is not here, ask it in your consultation request.
Ask your questionCan I divorce in Portugal if I'm not Portuguese?
Often, yes. What matters most is where you and your spouse live, not your nationality. EU rules and Portuguese law decide whether a Portuguese registry office or court can deal with your divorce, and we check this first.
Which country's law applies to our divorce?
It depends on where you live, your nationalities and whether you have chosen a law. In some cases spouses can agree which law applies. We explain the options before anything is filed.
What is the difference between mutual consent and contested divorce?
A mutual consent divorce is agreed by both spouses and is normally dealt with at the Civil Registry Office. A divorce without consent is requested by one spouse in court, on grounds set out in the law.
We married abroad. Does that matter?
A marriage celebrated abroad usually has to be recorded (transcribed) in the Portuguese civil register before a Portuguese registry office or court can deal with the divorce. We check whether this has been done.
Do I have to be in Portugal for the divorce?
Not always. In a mutual consent divorce you may be able to act through a lawyer with a power of attorney. In court, the judge may ask you to attend in person. We tell you what applies to your case.
Can I move abroad with the children after the divorce?
Moving a child's home to another country needs both parents' agreement or a court decision. Moving without it can have serious consequences, including proceedings under the Hague Convention for the child's return.
How is property divided?
It depends on your matrimonial property regime. Couples who marry in Portugal without a prenuptial agreement generally fall under community of acquired property (comunhão de adquiridos). A marriage abroad may follow another country's rules. The division can happen with the divorce or later.
Is a divorce granted abroad valid in Portugal?
A divorce granted in another EU country is generally recognised in Portugal. A decision from outside the EU usually has to be reviewed by a Portuguese court (revisão de sentença estrangeira) before it takes effect here.
Book a consultation
Talk to us before you sign any agreement
Explain the situation in your own words. We reply within 24 working hours to arrange a time and tell you which documents are worth sending.
- Professional secrecy from the first contact
- Reply within 24 working hours
Initial legal consultation
€90initial consultation
- We look at your situation and your documents
- In English, at our office or by video call
- The fee for any further work is agreed before we start
- No obligation to go further