Portugal's Prime Minister José Sócrates has said abortion will be legalised despite the turnout for a referendum being too low for it to be legally binding.
Turnout for yesterday's referendum was about 40%, far less than the 50% required.
Of those who did vote, about 59% backed a proposed change to the current law.
The proposal allows all women the option of an abortion until the tenth week of pregnancy.
Currently abortions are only allowed in cases of rape, a health threat to the mother or serious foetal abnormality.
Mr Sócrates said the law would now be discussed and approved in parliament.
