History of Portugal in Timeline

Portugal is a unitary republic located on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Lisbon is the capital and largest city, with a population exceeding 10.7 million. Mainland Portugal shares borders with Spain to the north and east. Additionally, Madeira and the Azores are autonomous regions in the Atlantic Ocean. The westernmost point of continental Europe is located on the mainland.

1908: Assassination of King Carlos I and Prince Royal Luís Filipe

In 1908, King Carlos I and his son, Luís Filipe, the Prince Royal, were assassinated by republican sympathizers.

1910: Kingdom becomes a Republic

In 1910, Portugal transitioned from a kingdom to a republic.

1910: Monarchy replaced with a republic

In 1910, the monarchy in Portugal was replaced with a republic, marking a significant shift in the country's political structure.

1911: Portugal is a secular state

Portugal is a secular state since 1911 and guarantees religious freedom.

1911: Start of Savage Islands dispute

Since 1911, the Portuguese Savage Islands have been claimed by Spain.

1926: Start of Dictatorship

In 1926, a dictatorship was established in Portugal, marking a significant shift in its political landscape.

1926: Overthrow of the First Republic

In 1926, the First Republic in Portugal was overthrown due to political instability and economic weaknesses, leading to the establishment of the Ditadura Nacional.

1933: Establishment of Estado Novo

In 1933, the Ditadura Nacional in Portugal evolved into the right-wing dictatorship of the Estado Novo under António de Oliveira Salazar.

1949: Organisation of Ibero-American States

In 1949, Portugal joined the Organisation of Ibero-American States.

1949: Founded NATO

In 1949, Portugal was among the countries that founded NATO.

1950: Higher real GDP growth rates

Between 1950 and 1973, Portugal had higher real GDP growth rates.

1953: Industry accounts for 26% of the country's total GDP

Between 1953 and 1973, Portugal's industry accounted for an annual average of 26% of the country's total GDP.

1955: Member of the United Nations

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

1960: Founded EFTA

In 1960, Portugal was among the countries that founded EFTA.

1961: Founded OECD

In 1961, Portugal was among the countries that founded the OECD.

1961: Regulation of Civil Procedure

In 1961, civil procedure in the Portuguese legal system was regulated by the Civil Procedure Code.

1961: Beginning of the Portuguese Colonial War

In 1961, the Portuguese Colonial War began, lasting until 1974, fueled by the marginalization of indigenous peoples due to economic development projects in overseas provinces.

1966: Regulation of Private Law

In 1966, private law in the Portuguese legal system was regulated by the Civil Code.

1966: Portugal finished third in the FIFA World Cup

Portugal finished third in the 1966 FIFA World Cup.

1973: Industry accounts for 26% of the country's total GDP

Between 1953 and 1973, Portugal's industry accounted for an annual average of 26% of the country's total GDP.

April 1974: Carnation Revolution overthrows Estado Novo

On April 25, 1974, the Carnation Revolution took place, overthrowing the Estado Novo and starting the transition to democracy in Portugal, while also initiating the dissolution of its colonial empire.

1974: Lower real GDP growth rates

Between 1974 and 2019, lower contribution of manufacturing to Portugal's economy has lead to lower real GDP growth rates.

1974: End of Portuguese Colonial War

In 1974, the Portuguese Colonial War ended, marking a significant turning point in Portugal's history.

1974: Overthrow of Dictatorship

In 1974, the dictatorship in Portugal was overthrown, paving the way for the establishment of democracy.

1976: Full establishment of Democracy

In 1976, Portugal fully established its democracy, solidifying the transition that began after the overthrow of the dictatorship.

1976: Legislative election

In 1976, Portugal held a legislative election following the transition to democracy after the Carnation Revolution.

1976: Ratification of the Constitution

In 1976, Portugal ratified its Constitution, establishing the country as a semi-presidential representative democratic republic.

1976: Establishment of autonomous regions

Since 1976, mainland Portugal and the autonomous regions of Portugal (Azores and Madeira) are the largest administrative units.

1982: Regulation of Criminal Law

In 1982, criminal law in the Portuguese legal system was regulated by the Penal Code.

1983: Full member of the Latin Union

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

1986: Portugal joined the EEC

In 1986, Portugal joined the European Economic Community (EEC), leading to substantial economic growth.

1996: Founded CPLP

In 1996, Portugal was among the countries that founded the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP).

1998: José Saramago won the Nobel Prize

José Saramago won the Nobel Prize in 1998.

1999: Dissolution of colonial empire

In 1999, the dissolution of the Portuguese colonial empire completed.

2001: Decriminalization of drug possession and consumption

In 2001, Portugal decriminalized the personal possession and consumption of all drugs, becoming the first country in the world to do so.

2002: Adoption of the Euro

In 2002, Portugal replaced the escudo with the euro as its currency.

2003: Several smaller metropolitan areas

From 2003 to 2008, several smaller metropolitan areas (Algarve, Aveiro, Coimbra, Minho, and Viseu) also held this status.

2004: Portugal finished second in the Euro

Portugal finished second in the Euro 2004.

2006: Bologna process adopted

In 2006, the Bologna process has been adopted by Portuguese universities and polytechnical institutes.

2006: Portugal finished fourth in the FIFA World Cup

Portugal finished fourth in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

July 2007: First EU-Brazil summit

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

December 2007: Second EU-African Union summit and signing of Treaty of Lisbon

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

2007: Porto Street Circuit WTCC stage

In 2007, the Porto Street Circuit held a stage of the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).

2008: 340,000 resident foreigners acquired Portuguese citizenship

Between 2008 and 2022, more than 340,000 resident foreigners acquired Portuguese citizenship.

2008: Several smaller metropolitan areas converted into intermunicipal communities

From 2003 to 2008, several smaller metropolitan areas were converted into intermunicipal communities in 2008.

2008: Aguçadoura Wave Farm was tested

In 2008, the Aguçadoura Wave Farm, the world's first commercial wave power farm, was tested in the Aguçadoura test site.

2009: Aguçadoura Wave Farm

In 2009, Portugal has been developing renewable energies investing in the world's first commercial wave power farm, the Aguçadoura Wave Farm.

November 2010: NATO summit

In November 2010, Portugal hosted the NATO summit.

2010: Portugal captured 222,000 metric tons of fish

In 2010, Portugal captured 222,000 metric tons of fish.

2010: Beginning of Portuguese financial crisis

In 2010, Portugal faced a financial crisis that led to an international bailout and austerity measures.

2010: Secondary education compulsory

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

2012: Agricultural self-sufficiency rate of about 81%

As of 2012, Portugal had an agricultural self-sufficiency rate of about 81% due to the cultivation of wheat, maize, and rice.

2013: Decline of incarceration rate

From 2013 to 2021, the incarceration rate has steadily declined in Portugal.

2013: Porto Street Circuit WTCC stage

In 2013, the Porto Street Circuit held a stage of the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).

2013: Local government reform

Since the 2013 local government reform, Lisbon and Porto are the only two metropolitan areas that also have the legal administrative status of metropolitan areas.

2014: End of Portuguese financial crisis

In 2014, the Portuguese financial crisis ended, but its social impacts remained.

2016: Portugal won the UEFA Euro

The Portugal national football team won the UEFA Euro 2016 with a 1–0 victory in the final over France.

2018: Portugal finished first in the UEFA Nations League

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

2019: Portugal is tolerant towards followers of other faiths

As of 2019, the majority of people in Portugal were shown to be tolerant towards followers of other faiths, with the Muslim community perceiving itself as thoroughly integrated.

2019: Lower real GDP growth rates

Between 1974 and 2019, lower contribution of manufacturing to Portugal's economy has lead to lower real GDP growth rates.

2019: Portugal captured 185,000 metric tons of fish

In 2019, Portugal captured 185,000 metric tons of fish, which was a decrease from 222,000 metric tons in 2010.

2019: 24th within the 41 countries of the EU and OECD in the Social Justice Index

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

2020: Portugal ranks sixth in the world in seafood consumption per capita

In 2020, Portugal ranked sixth in the world in seafood consumption per capita, with each Portuguese person consuming an average of 59.36 kilos of fish.

2020: Automobile industry employing 43.247 workers

In 2020, Portugal's automobile industry accounts for 20.2% of the country manufacturing exports and 82.8% of the total value of its exportations employing 43.247 workers.

2021: 80.2% of the Portuguese population are Catholic

According to the 2021 Census, 80.2% of the Portuguese population are Catholic, while 14.7% are nonreligious.

2021: Decline of incarceration rate

From 2013 to 2021, the incarceration rate has steadily declined in Portugal.

2021: Portugal phased out coal-fired generation

In 2021, Portugal phased out coal-fired generation and energy imports have since outpaced electricity exports.

2021: Barranquenho is officially recognised and protected

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

2022: 60.2% of births were to unmarried women

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

2022: 340,000 resident foreigners acquired Portuguese citizenship

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

2022: White (84.2%)

Between 2022 and 2023, 6.4 million people aged between 18 and 74 years old identified themselves as White (84.2%).

2022: Food insecurity

The percentage of the Portuguese population suffering from moderate or severe food insecurity between 2022 and 2024 was on average 11.9%.

2023: 55.4% of adults rated their health as good or very good

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

2023: Oil made up 44% of Portugal's total energy supply

As of 2023, oil made up 44% of Portugal's total energy supply while the country produced 82% of its energy from renewable sources.

2023: Only 10.1% of Portugal's land is suitable for cultivation

As of 2023, only 10.1% of Portugal's land is suitable for cultivation.

2023: White (84.2%)

Between 2022 and 2023, 6.4 million people aged between 18 and 74 years old identified themselves as White (84.2%).

2023: Personnel in the National Republican Guard

In 2023, the National Republican Guard, a gendarmerie force, comprised 23,287 personnel.

2023: Military budget

In 2023, the Portuguese military budget was more than $4 billion, representing 1.48% of GDP.

2023: At-risk-of-poverty rate

In 2023, the at-risk-of-poverty rate before social transfers stood at 40.3%.

2024: Population of 10,749,635

As of 2024, Portugal had a population of 10,749,635, with 52.2% female and 47.8% male.

2024: 8th largest motorway system among 42 European countries

As of 2024, Portugal has the 8th largest motorway system among 42 European countries, with 3,113 km of motorways out of a 14,342 km road network.

2024: Poverty rate

As of 2024, Portugal's poverty rate after social transfers is 15.4% of the population.

2024: Service sector accounted for 76.5% of the country's total economic output

As of 2024, Portugal's service sector accounted for 76.5% of the country's total economic output. Tourism, retail, and telecommunication are all major industries.

2024: Legal-resident foreigners number 1,543,697

As of 2024, legal-resident foreigners in Portugal number 1,543,697, or approximately 14% of the population.

2024: Military personnel

As of 2024, the three branches of the Portuguese Armed Forces numbered 23,678 military personnel.

2024: Total fertility rate estimated at 1.36 children born per woman

As of 2024, the total fertility rate (TFR) in Portugal was estimated at 1.36 children born per woman, one of the lowest in the world. Portugal's population was also the 11th oldest in the world, with a median age of 47.3 years.

2024: Legislative Election

In 2024, Luís Montenegro became Portugal's prime minister after the AD – PSD/CDS Coalition won enough seats to form a minority government following the Portuguese legislative election.

2024: Industry accounts for 21.2% of the country's total GDP

In 2024, Portugal's industry accounted for 21.2% of the country's total GDP.

2024: Agriculture sector accounts for 2.9% of the country's total GDP

In 2024, the Portuguese agriculture sector accounts for 2.9% of the country's total GDP.

2024: Portugal finished first in the UEFA Nations League

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

2024: Infant mortality rate stood at 2,25 deaths per 1,000 live births

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

2025: Portugal has a very high proficiency level in English

According to the EF English Proficiency Index, as of 2025, Portugal has a very high proficiency level in English, having the sixth-highest proficiency score in the world.

2025: Automobile industry produced the biggest share of the country's exportations

As of 2025, Portugal's automobile industry produced the biggest share of the country's exportations, accounting for 20.2% of the country's manufacturing exports and 82.8% of the total value of its exportations.

2025: Prison Population

As of 2025, the prison population in Portugal stood at 12,193 inmates, which is about 0.11% of the country's entire population.

2025: Unemployment rate

In 2025, Portugal unemployment rate was 5.8%.

2025: PPP-adjusted GDP per capita

In 2025, Portugal's PPP-adjusted GDP per capita stood at 81% of the EU average.

2025: 23rd best healthcare system in the world

In 2025, Portugal's healthcare system was ranked as the 23rd best in the world. The health system is characterised by three coexisting systems.

2025: Main export markets

In 2025, Portugal's main export markets were Spain at 26% and Germany at 13.9%.

2025: Portugal innovation ranked 16th

In 2025, the European Innovation Scoreboard ranked Portugal-based innovation as 16th, noting increases in R&D, government support, and resource productivity. Portugal was also ranked 31st on the Global Innovation Index in 2025.