[Conscientious objection: reflections for nursing in Portugal].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss conscientious objection in nursing, identifying the ethic and legal basis for this decision-making.

METHODOLOGY: Qualitative study in which the methodology used was ethical reflection based on a legal analysis of the laws in question, proceeding to a bibliographical and documentary research

CONCLUSIONS: Portuguese law and ethical pillars that form the basis of the Code of Ethics of nurses in Portugal defend the freedom of conscience as a professional practice. However, the obligation to protect human life, which imposes the need for coordination between this protection and the exercise of the right to conscientious objection on the part of the nurse, is also clear.