Full History Of Portugal In Timeline From 1908

February 1908: King Carlos I assassinated

On February 1, 1908, King Carlos I and his son Luís Filipe were assassinated by Republican and Carbonária members.

October 1910: Revolution replaces monarchy with First Republic

In October 1910, a revolution took place, replacing the monarchy with the First Republic in Portugal.

October 1910: Coup d'état overthrows monarchy

On October 5, 1910, a coup d'état overthrew the monarchy, and the Republic was proclaimed.

1910: End of the House of Braganza

In 1910, the House of Braganza, which had reigned since 1640, came to an end.

1911: High Total Fertility Rate

In 1911, the total fertility rate reached a high of 5.0 children born per woman.

1911: Spain claims Savage Islands

Since 1911, Spain has claimed the Savage Islands, causing political tension.

December 1917: Coup d'état leads to Sidónio Pais' rise to power

In December 1917, a coup d'état led to the rise of Sidónio Pais to power.

1921: Bloody Night revolt results in assassinations

In 1921, the Bloody Night revolt resulted in the assassination of the Prime Minister and other high-ranking officials of the Republic.

May 1926: Coup d'état creates National Dictatorship

On May 28, 1926, a coup d'état led to the creation of the National Dictatorship (Ditadura Nacional).

1933: Establishment of Estado Novo

In 1933, the right-wing dictatorship of the Estado Novo (New State) was established under António de Oliveira Salazar.

1935: Death of Fernando Pessoa

Fernando Pessoa, a modern Portuguese poet, died in 1935.

1940: Concordata between Portugal and the Holy See

In 1940, the Concordata between Portugal and the Holy See reaffirmed religious freedom, later amended in 1971.

1949: Portugal becomes a founding member of NATO

In 1949, Portugal became a founding member of NATO.

1949: Portugal becomes a member of the Organisation of Ibero-American States

In 1949, Portugal became a member of the Organisation of Ibero-American States.

1954: Loss of territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli

In 1954, Pro-Indian residents of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, separated those territories from Portuguese rule.

1955: Portugal becomes a member of the United Nations

In 1955, Portugal became a member state of the United Nations.

1955: Portugal joins the United Nations

In 1955, Portugal joined the United Nations.

1956: Establishment of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation was established in 1956 in Lisbon.

1957: Terrestrial volcanic eruption occurred in Capelinhos

In 1957, the last terrestrial volcanic eruption occurred in Capelinhos.

1960: Portugal becomes a founding member of the EFTA

In 1960, Portugal became a founding member of the EFTA.

1961: Portugal becomes a founding member of the OECD

In 1961, Portugal became a founding member of the OECD.

1961: Civil Procedure Code

In 1961, the Civil Procedure Code was created as one of the relevant laws of the Portuguese legal system.

1961: Annexation of Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá and loss of Goa

In 1961, the annexation of the Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá by the Republic of Dahomey and the loss of Goa occurred.

1961: Start of Portuguese Colonial War

In 1961, the independence movements in the Portuguese provinces of Portuguese Angola, Portuguese Mozambique, and Portuguese Guinea in Africa led to the start of the Portuguese Colonial War.

1966: Portuguese Civil Code

In 1966, the Portuguese Civil Code was created as one of the main laws of the Portuguese legal system.

1966: 1966 FIFA World Cup Third Place

In the 1966 FIFA World Cup, Portugal finished in third place.

1968: Salazar replaced by Marcelo Caetano

In 1968, Salazar suffered a brain hemorrhage and was replaced by Marcelo Caetano.

1971: Amendment of the Concordata

In 1940, the Concordata between Portugal and the Holy See reaffirmed religious freedom, later amended in 1971.

1971: Government purchases Savage Islands

In 1971, the Portuguese government purchased the Savage Islands and established a natural reserve area.

April 1974: Carnation Revolution leads to decolonization

In April 1974, the Carnation Revolution, a left-wing military coup in Lisbon, led to decolonization and the restoration of democracy.

1974: Carnation Revolution

In 1974, the Carnation Revolution occurred, marking the end of a notable phase of economic expansion in Portugal.

1974: Carnation Revolution restores democracy

In 1974, the Carnation Revolution restored democracy in Portugal, ending the Portuguese Colonial War and allowing the last of Portugal's African territories to achieve independence.

1974: Coup ends representation of annexed territories

In 1974, the coup led to the end of representation in the National Assembly for the territories annexed by India.

1974: End of Portuguese Colonial War

The Portuguese Colonial War that started in 1961 ended in 1974.

1975: Independence of African territories

By 1975, all Portuguese African territories were independent, and Portugal held its first democratic elections in 50 years. Also a mass exodus of Portuguese citizens from its African territories occurred.

1975: Country on the verge of civil war

By the summer of 1975, tensions rose to the point where the country was on the verge of civil war.

1976: Ratification of the Constitution

In 1976, Portugal ratified the Constitution and became a semi-presidential representative democratic republic.

1976: Constitution

In 1976, the Constitution was established as one of the main laws of the Portuguese legal system.

1976: Socialist Party wins legislative election

In 1976, the Portuguese Socialist Party won the Portuguese legislative election, and Mário Soares became prime minister.

1976: Separation of church and government reiterated

In 1976, the separation of the Catholic Church from government was reiterated in the Portuguese Constitution, solidifying Portugal as a secular state.

1976: Autonomous Regions Established

Since 1976, the largest administrative units in Portugal are either mainland Portugal and the autonomous regions of Portugal, including the Azores and Madeira.

1977: IMF stabilization programs initiated

In 1977, Portugal began pursuing International Monetary Fund (IMF)-monitored stabilization programs which lasted until 1978.

1978: Mário Soares ends his term as prime minister

In 1978, Mário Soares' first term as prime minister concluded.

1982: Penal Code of Portugal

In 1982, the Penal Code of Portugal was established as one of the main laws of the Portuguese legal system.

1982: Constitution revised

In 1982, the Portuguese Constitution was revised.

1983: Mário Soares begins second term as prime minister

In 1983, Mário Soares began his second term as prime minister.

1983: Portugal becomes a member of the Latin Union

In 1983, Portugal became a full member of the Latin Union.

1983: IMF stabilization programs initiated again

In 1983, Portugal began pursuing International Monetary Fund (IMF)-monitored stabilization programs which lasted until 1985.

1985: Mário Soares ends second term as prime minister

In 1985, Mário Soares' second term as prime minister concluded.

1986: Portugal joins the European Economic Community

In 1986, Portugal joined the European Economic Community.

1986: Accession to EEC

In 1986, Portugal joined the union, then known as EEC, becoming a net beneficiary of the European Union budget since then.

1986: Portugal leaves the EFTA

In 1986, Portugal left the EFTA.

1989: Constitution revised

In 1989, the Portuguese Constitution was revised again.

1990: EU Emission Level Baseline

In 2030, the EU plans to reduce emissions by 55% compared to the level of emissions in 1990.

1993: European Economic Community becomes the European Union

In 1993, the European Economic Community became the European Union.

1995: Portugal implements Schengen Area rules

In 1995, Portugal started to implement Schengen Area rules, eliminating border controls with other Schengen members.

1996: Portugal co-founds the CPLP

In 1996, Portugal co-founded the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).

1998: José Saramago wins Nobel Prize in Literature

José Saramago was the recipient of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Literature.

1999: Macau handed over to China and Portugal becomes founding member of Eurozone

In 1999, Portugal handed over Macau to China and became one of the founding countries of the euro and eurozone and Expo '98 also took place in Portugal.

2000: Transition from Escudo to Euro

In 2000, Portugal began transitioning from the Portuguese Escudo to the euro (€).

2000: Portugal ranked 12th best public health system

Portugal was visibly lower than the previous 12th place in the 2000 World Health Organisation ranking of best public health systems in the world.

2001: Drug Decriminalisation

In 2001, Portugal decriminalized drugs, becoming the first country to allow usage and possession of all common drugs.

2001: Gross agricultural product

In 2001, the gross agricultural product accounted for 4% of the economy.

2001: Religious Freedom Act

Religious freedom was reaffirmed by the 2001 Religious Freedom Act.

2002: Portugal recognizes East Timor's independence

In 2002, Portugal formally recognised the independence of East Timor.

2002: Euro Consolidation

In 2002, the euro (€) was consolidated as the national currency of Portugal.

2003: Anti-Discrimination Employment Law

In 2003, Portugal added an anti-discrimination employment law based on sexual orientation.

2003: Smaller metropolitan areas

Several smaller metropolitan areas (Algarve, Aveiro, Coimbra, Minho and Viseu) held this status from 2003 to 2008, when they were converted into intermunicipal communities

2004: José Manuel Barroso nominated President of the European Commission

In 2004, José Manuel Barroso, the then Prime Minister of Portugal, was nominated President of the European Commission.

2004: Sexual Orientation Added to the Constitution

In 2004, sexual orientation was added to the Constitution, protecting it from discrimination.

2004: Euro 2004 Second Place

In Euro 2004, Portugal finished in second place.

2005: Portugal held MTV Europe Music Awards

In 2005, Portugal held the MTV Europe Music Awards, in Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon.

2005: Higher education students totalled 380,937

In 2005, all higher education students, both domestic and international, totalled 380,937.

2006: Adoption of the Bologna process

In 2006, the Bologna process was adopted by Portuguese universities and poly-technical institutes.

2006: Passenger and goods transportation

In 2006, the CP carried 133,000,000 passengers and 9,750,000 tonnes of goods.

2006: Moura Photovoltaic Power Station begins operating

In 2006, the world's then largest solar power plant, the Moura Photovoltaic Power Station, began operating. Also, by 2006, 66% of the country's electrical production was from coal and fuel power plants, while 29% was derived from hydroelectric dams, and 6% by wind energy.

2006: 2006 FIFA World Cup Fourth Place

In the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Portugal finished in fourth place.

July 2007: Portugal hosts first EU-Brazil summit

In July 2007, Portugal hosted the first EU–Brazil summit.

December 2007: Portugal hosts second EU-African Union summit

In December 2007, Portugal hosted the second EU–African Union summit and the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon.

2008: Financial crisis causes disruption in Portugal

In 2008, economic disruption and an unsustainable growth in government debt led to financial crisis in Portugal.

2008: Aguçadoura Wave Farm opens

In 2008, the world's first commercial wave power farm, the Aguçadoura Wave Farm, opened in the Norte region. Also in 2008, renewable energy resources were producing 43% of the nation's electricity, even as hydroelectric production decreased with severe droughts.

2008: Financial crisis

In 2018, Portugal's parliament approved a budget plan for 2019 that included tax breaks for returning emigrants in a bid to attract back those who left during the 2008 financial crisis.

2008: Foreigners acquired Portuguese citizenship

More than 340,000 resident foreigners acquired Portuguese citizenship between 2008 and 2022, constituting around 3.27% of the country's population in 2022.

2008: Smaller metropolitan areas converted into intermunicipal communities

Several smaller metropolitan areas (Algarve, Aveiro, Coimbra, Minho and Viseu) held this status from 2003 to 2008, when they were converted into intermunicipal communities

December 2009: Treaty of Lisbon enters into force

On December 1, 2009, the Treaty of Lisbon entered into force.

2009: HIV Infection Cases Drop

By 2009, HIV infection cases in Portugal dropped by 50% following drug decriminalization in 2001.

2009: PISA results level

In reading and mathematics, mean performance in 2018 was close to the level observed in 2009 to 2015

November 2010: Portugal hosts NATO summit

In November 2010, Portugal hosted the NATO summit.

2010: Electricity exports outnumbered imports

As of 2010, electricity exports had outnumbered imports and 70% of energy came from renewable sources.

2010: Diabetes mortality rates

Diabetes mortality rates have been decreasing, from 4.5% in 2010 down to 2.8% in 2021.

2010: Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage

In 2010, Portugal legalized same-sex marriage, becoming the sixth country in Europe and eighth in the world to do so at the national level.

2010: Secondary Education became compulsory

Since 2010, secondary education (three years) became compulsory in Portugal.

2010: Incarceration Rate Increase

Since 2010, the incarceration rate has been on the rise, with a 15% increase over the past eight years.

May 2011: European Union Bailout

In May 2011, Portugal received a 78-billion-euro bailout from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund due to a severe recession.

2011: Portugal negotiates loan with IMF and European Union

In 2011, Portugal negotiated a loan with the IMF and the European Union to stabilize its finances.

2011: European Innovation Scoreboard

In 2011, the European Innovation Scoreboard placed Portugal-based innovation 15th, with an increase in innovation expenditure and output.

2012: PISA results level

In science, mean performance in 2018 returned close to the level observed in 2009 and 2012

2013: Administrative Reform

In 2013, after a reform, Portugal's 308 municipalities were subdivided into 3,092 civil parishes.

2013: Local government reform

Since the 2013 local government reform, Lisbon and Porto are the only two metropolitan areas with administrative legal status.

2014: Best European Country

In 2014, Portugal was elected The Best European Country by USA Today.

2014: Discovery of Aroeira 3 skull

In 2014, the 400,000-year-old Aroeira 3 H. Heidelbergensis skull, the oldest human fossil found in Portugal, was discovered in the Cave of Aroeira.

2015: PISA results level

In reading and mathematics, mean performance in 2018 was close to the level observed in 2009 to 2015; in science, mean performance in 2018 was below that of 2015.

2016: UEFA Euro 2016 Victory

In 2016, the Portugal national football team won the UEFA European Championship, defeating France 1–0 in the final.

2016: LGBT Adoption Allowed

Since 2016, LGBT adoption has been allowed, as has female same-sex couple access to medically assisted reproduction.

2017: Europe's Leading Destination

In 2017, Portugal was elected Europe's Leading Destination.

2017: Law of Gender Identity

In 2017, the Law of Gender Identity simplified the legal process of gender and name change for transgender people, making it easier for minors to change their sex marker in legal documents.

2017: Savage Islands tentatively added to UNESCO's world heritage list

In 2017, the Selvagens Islands were tentatively added to UNESCO's world heritage list.

2017: Portugal won Eurovision Song Contest

Portugal won the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Kyiv with the song "Amar pelos dois" presented by Salvador Sobral.

Loading Video...

2018: PISA results

According to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018, Portugal scored around the OECD average in reading, mathematics and science.

2018: World's Leading Destination

In 2018, Portugal was elected World's Leading Destination.

2018: Parliament approved budget plan for tax breaks

In 2018, Portugal's parliament approved a budget plan for 2019 that included tax breaks for returning emigrants in a bid to attract back those who left during the 2008 financial crisis.

2018: Protection for Intersex Minors

In 2018, intersex minors were protected by law from unnecessary medical procedures until their gender identity manifests.

2018: UEFA Nations League First Place

In 2018–19, Portugal finished first in the UEFA Nations League.

2018: Portugal hosted Eurovision Song Contest

Portugal hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 2018.

2018: OECD Economic Reports

The OECD economic reports since 2018 show recovery.

2019: World's Leading Destination

In 2019, Portugal was elected World's Leading Destination.

2019: Portugal's ranking in the Social Justice Index

In 2019, Portuguese society ranked 24th within the 41 countries of the EU and OECD in the Social Justice Index, indicating relatively high rates of socioeconomic equality.

2021: Religious Demographics

According to the 2021 Census, 80.2% of the Portuguese population was Catholic. Some 14.1% of the population declared themselves nonreligious.

2021: Diabetes mortality rates

Diabetes mortality rates have been decreasing, from 4.5% in 2010 down to 2.8% in 2021.

2021: Coal-Fired Generation Phased Out

In 2021, Portugal phased out coal-fired generation.

2021: Barranquenho is officially recognized

Since 2021, Barranquenho, a particular dialect known as Barranquenho, spoken in Barrancos, is also officially recognised and protected in Portugal.

2021: Adult literacy rate in Portugal

The total adult literacy rate in Portugal was 99.8% in 2021.

2022: National Statistics Institute (INE) study

A National Statistics Institute (INE) study conducted between 2022 and 2023 found out that 1.4 million people (13% of the population) have immigrant background, in which 947,500 are first generation immigrants, concentrated mainly in the Lisbon metropolitan area and the Algarve.

2022: Statistics Portugal study

According to a Statistics Portugal study conducted between 2022 and 2023, around 6.4 million people aged between 18 and 74 years old identified themselves as White (84%), more than 262,000 as Mixed-race (3%), nearly 170,000 as Black (2%), 57,000 as Asian (<1%), and 47,500 as Romani (<1%)

2022: Births to unmarried and foreign-born women

As of 2022, 60.2% of births were to unmarried women, and 24.5% of births were to foreign born women.

2022: Increased emigration rate

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the emigration rate increased to 6.9% in 2022 but remained well below the immigration rate of around 11.3%; Among those that had left the country, 56.8% returned within a year.

2022: Human Development Index

In 2022, Portugal's Human Development Index (HDI) was 0.874, ranking it as the 42nd highest in the world.

2022: Labour productivity

In 2022, labour productivity in Portugal was the fourth lowest among the 27 member-states of the European Union (EU) and was 35% lower than the EU average.

2022: Rents and House Prices Jump

In 2022, rents in Lisbon jumped 37% and the inflation rate was 8% in Portugal.

2022: Gross agricultural product

In 2022, the gross agricultural product accounted for 2% of the economy.

2022: Foreigners acquired Portuguese citizenship

More than 340,000 resident foreigners acquired Portuguese citizenship between 2008 and 2022, constituting around 3.27% of the country's population in 2022. Also, almost 21,000 foreign residents acquired Portuguese citizenship, of which 11,170 were female and 9,674 were male.

January 2023: Prison Population

As of January 2023, Portugal's prison population is about 12,257 inmates, which is approximately 0.12% of the entire population.

2023: Eurostat opinion-poll results

A Eurostat opinion-poll in 2023 found that 55.4% of adults rated their health as good or very good, the third lowest rate collected in the European Union.

2023: National Statistics Institute (INE) study

A National Statistics Institute (INE) study conducted between 2022 and 2023 found out that 1.4 million people (13% of the population) have immigrant background, in which 947,500 are first generation immigrants, concentrated mainly in the Lisbon metropolitan area and the Algarve.

2023: Statistics Portugal study

According to a Statistics Portugal study conducted between 2022 and 2023, around 6.4 million people aged between 18 and 74 years old identified themselves as White (84%), more than 262,000 as Mixed-race (3%), nearly 170,000 as Black (2%), 57,000 as Asian (<1%), and 47,500 as Romani (<1%)

2023: Tourism Sector

As of 2023, nearly half of real GDP growth was due to the tourism sector, with tourism accounting for 16.5% of GDP.

2023: Portugal's Total Energy Supply

As of 2023, oil made up 44% of Portugal's total energy supply.

2023: Debt Decrease

By the end of 2023, Portugal's debt as a percentage of GDP fell below 100 percent, to 97.9%.

2023: Portugal greenhouse gas emissions

In 2023 Portugal emitted around 339 million tonnes of greenhouse gases, which is about 5 tonnes per person and equivalent to around 1% of global total emissions.

2023: Economic Growth Continued

In 2023, economic growth continued while inflation continued decreasing to 5%.

2023: Quality of Life Index

In 2023, the Numbeo quality of life index placed Portugal 20th in the world.

2023: Portuguese Armed Forces in 2023

In 2023, the Portuguese Armed Forces, comprising the Navy, Army, and Air Force, numbered 24,000 military personnel, with a military expenditure exceeding 4 billion US$, representing 1.48% of GDP.

December 2024: Portugal Population Statistics

As of 31 December 2024, Portugal had a population 10,749,635, of which 52.2% was female and 47.8% male, according to Statistics Portugal.

2024: GDP (PPP) per capita

According to the World Bank, in 2024, Portugal's GDP (PPP) was $50,617 per capita, and it had the 6th lowest GDP per capita (PPP) of the eurozone.

2024: Legal resident foreigners number 1,546,521

As of 2024, legal resident foreigners number 1,546,521, or approximately 14% of the population

2024: Lisbon Tourism

By 2024, Lisbon's hotels were occupied by 6.7 million tourists, of which 5.5 million were foreign.

2024: Debt Fell Further

By the end of 2024, Portugal's debt as a percentage of GDP fell to 94.9%.

2024: Annual Inflation

In 2024 the annual inflation continued a downward trend ending at 2.3% and accompanied by a small economic growth.

2024: Global Innovation Index

In 2024, Portugal was ranked 31st in the Global Innovation Index.

2024: Average gross salary

In 2024, the average gross salary was €1,602 per month.

2024: UEFA Nations League First Place

In 2024–25, Portugal finished first in the UEFA Nations League.

2024: Population Estimates

Population estimates as of 2024 define Portugal, within the European Union NUTS system, divided into nine regions and 28 subregions.

2024: Infant mortality rate

Portugal's infant mortality rate (IMR) stood at 2,25 deaths per 1,000 live births as of 2024.

2024: Total fertility rate estimated at 1.36 children per woman

The total fertility rate (TFR) as of 2024 was estimated at 1.36 children born per woman, one of the lowest in the world, and considerably below the high of 5.0 in 1911. Also in 2024, Portugal was the 11th oldest in the world, with a median age of 46.4 years and the fourth highest number of citizens over 65 years, at 21.8% of the total population.

2025: Euthanasia blocked by the Constitutional Court

As of 2025, despite various parliamentary reviews, the legalization of euthanasia has been consistently blocked by the Constitutional Court.

2025: Minimum Wage

As of 2025, the minimum wage is €870 per month (paid 14 times per annum).

2025: Portugal ranked 23rd best healthcare system

In 2025, Portugal ranked as 23rd best healthcare system in the world.

2025: Economy forecast

In 2025, the economy is expected to continue growing at 1.9 annually, while inflation is forecast at 2.1% for the fiscal year.

2025: Median life expectancy reaches 82.95 years

In 2025, the median life expectancy reached 82.95 years, with United Nations projecting a rise of up to 90 years or more by 2100.

2027: Rugby World Cup Qualification

In 2027, the Portuguese national rugby union team qualified for the Rugby World Cup.

2030: EU joint plan to reduce emissions

As an EU member state, Portugal is part of their joint plan to reduce emissions by a minimum of 55% by 2030, compared to the level of emissions in 1990.

2050: Portugal committed to carbon neutrality

Portugal has committed to carbon neutrality and net zero by 2050.

2080: Projected population fall to 7.7 million

According to projections by the national statistics office, the population will fall to 7.7 million by 2080 and the population will continue to age.

History of Portugal in Timeline