History of Portugal in Timeline

Portugal is a country located on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe, bordering Spain to the north and east, and the North Atlantic Ocean to the south and west. It also includes the Azores and Madeira archipelagos. Lisbon is the capital and largest city, followed by Porto as the second major metropolitan area. It is the westernmost point in continental Europe and shares the longest uninterrupted border in the European Union with Spain.

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

In February 1908, King Carlos I and his son and heir, Luís Filipe, Prince Royal, were assassinated by Republican and Carbonária members.

October 1910: Overthrow of the Monarchy and Proclamation of the Republic

In October 1910, a coup d'état overthrew the Monarchy, which had lasted nearly 800 years, and the Republic was proclaimed.

October 1910: Revolution replaces monarchy with First Republic

In October 1910, a revolution replaced the monarchy with the First Republic in Portugal.

1910: End of the House of Braganza

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

1911: Spain claims the Savage Islands

Since 1911, the Savage Islands have been claimed by Spain, causing periods of political tension between the two countries.

1911: High Fertility Rate

The total fertility rate (TFR) in Portugal considerably reached a high of 5.0 in 1911.

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

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

1921: Bloody Night revolt

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 leads to National Dictatorship

In May 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, an example of modern Portuguese poetry, died in 1935.

1940: Concordata between Portugal and the Holy See

Religious freedom in Portugal was reaffirmed by the 1940 Concordata between Portugal and the Holy See.

1949: Portugal becomes a founding member of NATO

In 1949, Portugal became a founding member of NATO.

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

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

1954: Separation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli

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

1955: Portugal joins the United Nations

In 1955, Portugal joined the United Nations.

1955: Portugal becomes a member of the United Nations

Since 1955, Portugal has been a member state of the United Nations.

1956: Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation established

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation was established in 1956 in Lisbon.

1957: Terrestrial volcanic eruption occurred

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

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 of 1961

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

1961: Annexation of Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá and armed conflict in Portuguese India

In 1961, the annexation of the Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá by the Republic of Dahomey and the armed conflict in Portuguese India against the Indian Armed Forces led to the defeat and loss of the remaining Portuguese territories in the Indian subcontinent.

1961: Beginning of the Portuguese Colonial War

In the early 1960s (1961), independence movements in the Portuguese provinces of Portuguese Angola, Portuguese Mozambique, and Portuguese Guinea in Africa resulted in the start of the Portuguese Colonial War.

1966: 1966 FIFA World Cup Third Place

In 1966, the Portugal national football team finished third in the 1966 FIFA World Cup.

1966: Portuguese Civil Code of 1966

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

1968: Salazar replaced by Marcelo Caetano

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

1971: Government purchases Savage Islands and establishes natural reserve

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

1971: Amendment to the Concordata

The 1940 Concordata between Portugal and the Holy See was amended in 1971.

April 1974: Carnation Revolution

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

1974: Carnation Revolution restores democracy

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

1974: Carnation Revolution of 1974

Since the Carnation Revolution of 1974, there has been a significant change in Portugal's annual economic growth.

1974: End of the Portuguese Colonial War

The Portuguese Colonial war lasted from 1961 till 1974.

1974: Coup of 1974

The Portuguese regime refused to recognise Indian sovereignty over the annexed territories, which continued to be represented in the National Assembly until the coup of 1974.

1975: Independence of African territories and first democratic elections

By 1975, all Portuguese African territories were independent, and Portugal held its first democratic elections in 50 years, also over one million Portuguese refugees fled the former Portuguese provinces.

1975: Near civil war and counter-coup

By the summer of 1975, tensions were high, and forces connected to the extreme left-wing launched a coup on 25 November, but a military faction initiated a counter-coup.

1976: Constitution of 1976

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

1976: Portuguese Socialist Party wins legislative election

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

1976: Ratification of the Constitution

Portugal has been a semi-presidential representative democratic republic since the ratification of the Constitution of 1976, with Lisbon, the nation's largest city, as its capital.

1976: Establishment of Autonomous Regions Since 1976

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

1976: Portuguese Constitution

The separation of the Catholic Church from the government was reiterated in the 1976 Portuguese Constitution.

1977: Implementation of an IMF-monitored stabilisation programmes

In 1977, Portugal's economic situation obliged the government to pursue International Monetary Fund (IMF)-monitored stabilisation programmes in 1977–78.

1978: Mário Soares term as prime minister

Mário Soares was prime minister from 1976 to 1978.

1982: Penal Code of Portugal in 1982

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

1982: Revisions to the Portuguese constitution

Until the revisions of 1982, the Portuguese constitution had references to socialism, the rights of workers, and the desirability of a socialist economy.

1983: Portugal becomes a full member of the Latin Union

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

1983: Implementation of an IMF-monitored stabilisation programmes

In 1983, Portugal's economic situation obliged the government to pursue International Monetary Fund (IMF)-monitored stabilisation programmes in 1983–85.

1983: Mário Soares becomes prime minister

Mário Soares was prime minister from 1983 to 1985.

1985: Mário Soares term as prime minister ends

Mário Soares was prime minister from 1983 to 1985.

1986: Portugal joins the European Economic Community

In 1986, Portugal joined the European Economic Community.

1986: Portugal leaves EFTA to join EEC

In 1986, Portugal left EFTA to join the European Economic Community.

1986: Portugal Joins the EEC in 1986

Portugal has been a net beneficiary of the European Union budget since it joined the union, then known as EEC, in 1986.

1989: Revisions to the Portuguese constitution

Until the revisions of 1989, the Portuguese constitution had references to socialism, the rights of workers, and the desirability of a socialist economy.

1990: Baseline for EU Emissions Reduction

The level of emissions in 1990 is the baseline used for the EU's plan to reduce emissions by a minimum of 55% by 2030.

1993: European Economic Community becomes the European Union

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

1995: Implementation of Schengen Area rules

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

1996: Portugal co-founds the Community of Portuguese Language Countries

In 1996, Portugal co-founded the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), also known as the Lusophone Commonwealth.

1998: José Saramago Nobel Prize

José Saramago, a popular and distinguished Portuguese author, received the 1998 Nobel Prize in Literature.

1999: Handover of Macau to China and founding of the euro

In 1999, Portugal peacefully handed over its last overseas territory, Macau, to China, and was one of the founding countries of the euro and eurozone.

2000: Transition from Escudo to Euro in 2000

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

2000: World Health Organisation Ranking

In 2000, Portugal was ranked 12th best public health system in the world by the World Health Organisation.

2000: Portugal is located on the Mediterranean Basin

Portugal is located on the Mediterranean Basin.

2001: Drug Decriminalisation in Portugal in 2001

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

2001: Gross Agricultural Product in 2001

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

2001: Religious Freedom Act

Religious freedom in Portugal was also reaffirmed by the 2001 Religious Freedom Act.

2002: Portugal recognizes independence of East Timor

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

2002: Euro Consolidation in 2002

In 2002, the transition to the euro (€) was consolidated in Portugal.

2003: Smaller Metropolitan Areas Designation

From 2003, several smaller metropolitan areas in Portugal, including Algarve, Aveiro, Coimbra, Minho, and Viseu, held administrative legal status.

2003: Anti-discrimination Employment Law in 2003

In 2003, Portugal added an anti-discrimination employment law on the basis of sexual orientation.

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 Protected in Constitution in 2004

In 2004, sexual orientation was added to the Portuguese Constitution as part of the protected characteristics from discrimination.

2004: Euro 2004 Second Place

In 2004, the Portugal national football team finished second in the Euro 2004.

2005: MTV Europe Music Awards

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

2005: Higher Education Student Totals

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

2006: Rail Transport in 2006

In 2006, the CP (Comboios de Portugal) carried 133,000,000 passengers and 9,750,000 tonnes of goods.

2006: 2006 FIFA World Cup Fourth Place

In 2006, the Portugal national football team finished fourth in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

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 in 2006, 66% of Portugal's electrical production was from coal and fuel power plants, while 29% was derived from hydroelectric dams, and 6% by wind energy.

2006: Adoption of the Bologna Process

The Bologna process has been adopted by Portuguese universities and poly-technical institutes in 2006.

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 the Treaty of Lisbon

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

2008: Foreigners Acquire Portuguese Citizenship

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

2008: Conversion to Intermunicipal Communities

In 2008, smaller metropolitan areas in Portugal like Algarve, Aveiro, Coimbra, Minho, and Viseu were converted into intermunicipal communities.

2008: Aguçadoura Wave Farm opens; renewable energy rises

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

2008: Financial Crisis Influence

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

December 2009: Treaty of Lisbon enters into force

In December 2009, the Treaty of Lisbon entered into force.

2009: Decline in HIV Infection Cases by 2009

By 2009, HIV infection cases in Portugal dropped 50 percent following the decriminalisation of drugs in 2001.

2009: PISA reading and mathematics scores

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

November 2010: NATO summit in Portugal

In November 2010, Portugal hosted the NATO summit.

2010: Increase in Incarceration Rate After 2010

After 2010, the incarceration rate in Portugal had a strong increase.

2010: Electricity exports outnumber imports, renewable energy reaches 70%

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

2010: Diabetes mortality rates

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

2010: Legalisation of Same-Sex Marriage in 2010

In 2010, Portugal became the sixth country in Europe and eighth in the world to legalise same-sex marriage at the national level.

2010: Secondary education becomes compulsory

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

May 2011: Bailout from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund in May 2011

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

2011: Negotiations with the IMF and European Union for a loan

In 2011, due to the 2008 financial crisis, Portugal negotiated with the IMF and the European Union for a loan to help stabilize its finances.

2011: European Innovation Scoreboard in 2011

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

2012: PISA science scores

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

2013: Prison Population Surpasses 14,000 in 2013

By 2013, the prison population surpassed 14,000 inmates.

2013: Administrative Reform in 2013

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 in Portugal.

2014: Portugal Elected Best European Country in 2014

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 reading and mathematics scores

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

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

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

2017: Portugal Elected Europe's Leading Destination in 2017

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

2017: Law of Gender Identity in 2017

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: Selvagens Islands tentatively added to UNESCO's world heritage list

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

2017: Portugal Wins Eurovision Song Contest

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

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2018: PISA scores

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

2018: Portugal Elected World's Leading Destination in 2018

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

2018: Tax Breaks for Returning Emigrants

In 2018, Portugal's parliament approved a budget plan for 2019 that included tax breaks for returning emigrants.

2018: UEFA Nations League First Place

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

2018: Protection of Gender Identity and Intersex Minors in 2018

In 2018, the right to gender identity and gender expression self-determination became protected, intersex minors became protected by law from unnecessary medical procedures, and the right of protection from discrimination on the basis of sex characteristics became protected by the same law.

2018: OECD Economic Reports Since 2018 Show Recovery

OECD economic reports since 2018 show signs of economic recovery in Portugal.

2018: Portugal Hosts Eurovision Song Contest

Portugal hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 2018, following their win in 2017.

2019: Social Justice Index Ranking

In 2019, Portugal ranked 24th within the 41 countries of the EU and OECD in the Social Justice Index.

2019: Portugal Elected World's Leading Destination in 2019

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

2021: Catholic Population

According to the 2021 Census, 80.2% of the Portuguese population was Catholic.

2021: Diabetes mortality rates

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

2021: Adult literacy rate

In 2021 the total adult literacy rate in Portugal was 99.8%.

2021: Barranquenho officially recognized

In 2021, the Barranquenho dialect spoken in Barrancos, was officially recognized and protected in Portugal.

2021: Phased Out Coal-Fired Generation in 2021

Portugal phased out coal-fired generation in 2021.

2022: National Statistics Institute study

According to a National Statistics Institute (INE) study conducted between 2022 and 2023, 1.4 million people (13% of the population) have immigrant background in Portugal.

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

2022: HDI of 0.874 in 2022

In 2022, Portugal had a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.874, which was the 42nd highest in the world.

2022: Labour productivity in 2022

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

2022: Foreign Residents Acquire Portuguese Citizenship

In 2022, almost 21,000 foreign residents acquired Portuguese citizenship in Portugal.

2022: Rents Jump and Inflation Exacerbates in 2022

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

2022: Gross Agricultural Product in 2022

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

2022: Emigration and Immigration rates

Net immigration persisted in Portugal even during the COVID-19 Pandemic; in 2022 the emigration rate increased to 6.9% but remained well below the immigration rate of around 11.3%.

2023: Adult Health Rating

A Eurostat opinion-poll in 2023 found that 55.4% of adults in Portugal rated their health as good or very good.

2023: National Statistics Institute study

According to a National Statistics Institute (INE) study conducted between 2022 and 2023, 1.4 million people (13% of the population) have immigrant background in Portugal.

2023: Statistics Portugal study

2023: Oil as Percentage of Total Energy Supply in 2023

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

2023: Debt as percentage of GDP in 2023

By end of 2023, the share of debt as percentage of GDP fell below 100 percent, to 96.9%.

2023: Portugal's Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In 2023, Portugal emitted around 339 million tonnes of greenhouse gases, equivalent to about 1% of global total emissions.

2023: Economic Growth and Decreasing Inflation in 2023

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

2023: Tourism Contributing to GDP Growth in 2023

In 2023, almost half of Portugal's annual GDP growth was due to the tourism sector.

2023: Portuguese Armed Forces Activities and Expenditure in 2023

In 2023, the Portuguese Armed Forces, consisting of the Navy, Army, and Air Force, numbered 24,000 military personnel. Military expenditure in 2023 exceeded 4 billion US$, representing 1.48 per cent of GDP.

2023: Quality of life index in 2023

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

December 2024: Portugal's Population Statistics

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

2024: Number of Foreign Residents

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

2024: Total Fertility Rate

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. Also in 2024, Portugal was the 11th oldest country in the world.

2024: Tourism Sector Contribution to GDP in 2024

As of 2024, the tourism sector contributed 11.9% to Portugal's GDP, worth €34 billion.

2024: Tourists Occupying Lisbon Hotels in 2024

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

2024: GDP (PPP) per capita in 2024

By the end of 2024, Portugal's GDP (PPP) was $50,617 per capita, according to the World Bank.

2024: Debt as percentage of GDP in 2024

By the end of 2024, the share of debt as percentage of GDP fell further to 93.6%.

2024: Downward Trend of Annual Inflation in 2024

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

2024: Portugal's Economic Status in 2024

In 2024, Portugal's GDP per capita was 82% of the EU27 average, and total exports represented 46.6% of its GDP.

2024: UEFA Nations League First Place

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

2024: Average Gross Salary in 2024

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

2024: Foreign Tourists in 2024

Portugal received nearly 29 million foreign tourists by 2024.

2024: Global Innovation Index in 2024

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

January 2025: Prison Population in January 2025

As of January 2025, the prison population stood at 12,193 inmates, about 0.11% of the country's population.

2025: Minimum Wage in 2025

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

2025: Healthcare System Ranking

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

2025: Constitutional Court Blocks Euthanasia Legalisation in 2025

In 2025, the Constitutional Court blocked the legalisation of euthanasia, marking the most recent unfavorable decision on the matter.

2025: Economic Growth and Inflation Forecast for 2025

In 2025, the economy of Portugal 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 in Portugal reached 82.95 years, with the 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 2027 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.