The country with a national law making it illegal for all public institutions not to include a vegetarian—specifically vegan—meal option on their menu is Portugal.

In 2017, Portugal passed Law No. 11/2017, which mandates at least one "strict vegetarian" (defined as vegan) option in the daily menus of public canteens, including schools, universities, hospitals, and prisons. This measure was the result of a petition championed by the Portuguese Vegetarian Society.

While other countries like France have laws requiring a weekly vegetarian meal in school canteens (under the Climate and Resilience law, building on the Egalim law), and several regions or institutions globally offer plant-based options, Portugal's national mandate for a daily vegan meal across all public sectors is unique.