Inkeva

Tattoo regulations in Portugal

Portugal has little tattoo-specific law, and we found no national licence for studios. Studios follow general health and safety rules, local licensing for the premises and guidance from the Directorate-General of Health (DGS). Inks follow the EU REACH restriction and health answers fall under the GDPR, supervised by the CNPD.

Last checked September 25, 2026

Minimum age

Who you can tattoo, and with whose permission.

Minimum age

18 and over

Younger clients

Parental consent is not an exception

We found no statute that sets a tattoo age. Minors generally need a parent's consent, and most studios only tattoo adults. Inkeva defaults to 18.

Client records

What to record and how long to keep it.

Keep for 5 years

Common practice, not set by law

  • Accounting records: 10 years

What to record

  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Date of the procedure
  • Placement on the body
  • Artist
  • Ink brand, colour and manufacturer
  • Ink lot numbers
  • Health questionnaire answers
  • Client signature

Ink

What can go into the skin and what you must record.

EU REACH ink restriction appliesYes
Ink labelling rulesRequired

Sterilization and waste

Cleaning, sterilizing and getting rid of sharps.

Autoclave cycle logsDepends on the local authority
Spore testingNo fixed schedule
Sharps and clinical waste disposalRequired

Licensing

What you need to open a studio and work in it.

Studio licence or registrationDepends on the local authority
Artist licence or registrationNot required
Bloodborne pathogens or hygiene trainingDepends on the local authority

Guest artists

Hosting artists from somewhere else.

Permit or registration for guest artistsDepends on the local authority

Sources