A new law banning face-covering clothing in public places has come into effect in Portugal, sparking debate over its potential impact on Muslim women who wear the burqa and niqab.

Under the law, people wearing clothing that conceals their identity or prevents identification in public may face fines ranging from €150 to €3,000. Exceptions apply for health, professional, artistic, weather-related and religious purposes.

Supporters say the law is necessary for public safety and identity verification. Rights groups, however, argue that it could undermine religious freedom and women’s right to choose what they wear.

Meanwhile, a proposal to ban burqas and niqabs is also advancing in Spain’s Balearic Islands. The proposal includes fines of up to €30,000 for repeated violations and up to four years in prison for anyone forcing another person to wear such clothing.

The developments are intensifying debate across Europe over public safety, religious freedom and women’s rights.