History of Portugal in Timeline

Portugal is a country located on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. It borders Spain to the north and east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west. The Azores and Madeira archipelagos are autonomous regions of Portugal. Lisbon is the capital and largest city, followed by Porto.

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

On February 1908, King Carlos I and his son, Luís Filipe, 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 in Portugal, and the Republic was proclaimed.

October 1910: Revolution replaces monarchy with First Republic

In October 1910, a revolution overthrew the monarchy in Portugal, replacing it with the First Republic.

1910: End of the House of Braganza

The House of Braganza, which had reigned since 1640, came to an end in 1910.

1911: High fertility rate

In 1911, Portugal's total fertility rate (TFR) was at a high of 5.0 children born per woman.

1911: Start of Spanish claim over Savage Islands

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

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

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

1921: Bloody Night revolt and assassination of Prime Minister

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 and creation of the National Dictatorship

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

1933: Establishment of the Estado Novo

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

1935: Fernando Pessoa

Fernando Pessoa (1888–1935) exemplified modern Portuguese poetry.

1940: Concordata between Portugal and the Holy See

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

1949: Portugal is a founding member of NATO

In 1949, Portugal was a founding member of NATO.

1949: Portugal becomes part of Organisation of Ibero-American States

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

1954: Separation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli from Portuguese rule

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 became a member state of the United Nations.

1956: Establishment of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

In 1956, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation was established in Lisbon.

1957: Last terrestrial volcanic eruption (Capelinhos)

The last terrestrial volcanic eruption in Portugal occurred in 1957–58 (Capelinhos).

1960: Portugal is a founding member of EFTA

In 1960, Portugal was a founding member of EFTA.

1961: Portugal is a founding member of the OECD

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

1961: Annexation of Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá and loss of Portuguese territories in India

In 1961, the annexation of the Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá by the Republic of Dahomey marked the start of the dissolution of the Portuguese Empire. Also in 1961, Portugal lost its remaining territories in the Indian subcontinent after armed conflict in Portuguese India.

1961: Start of the Portuguese Colonial War

In the early 1960s, independence movements in Portuguese Angola, Portuguese Mozambique, and Portuguese Guinea led to the Portuguese Colonial War, which lasted from 1961 to 1974.

1966: 1966 FIFA World Cup

In the 1966 FIFA World Cup, Portugal finished third.

1968: Salazar replaced by Marcelo Caetano

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

1971: Government purchase of Savage Islands and establishment of natural reserve

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

1971: Amendment of Concordata

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

April 1974: Carnation Revolution

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

1974: Carnation Revolution restores democracy

In 1974, the Carnation Revolution restored democracy to Portugal, ending the Portuguese Colonial War and allowing its African territories to achieve independence.

1974: Coup ends representation of annexed territories in National Assembly

In 1974, the coup ended the representation of annexed territories in the National Assembly.

1974: End of the Portuguese Colonial War

The Portuguese Colonial war came to an end in 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, along with a mass exodus of Portuguese citizens from its African territories.

1975: Near civil war and counter-coup

By the summer of 1975, tensions were high enough to almost trigger a civil war and forces connected to the extreme left-wing launched another coup on 25 November, but the Group of Nine initiated a counter-coup.

1976: Legislative election won by the Portuguese Socialist Party

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

1976: Ratification of the Constitution

Since the ratification of the Constitution of 1976, Portugal has been a semi-presidential representative democratic republic.

1976: Separation of Church and Government

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

1977: IMF stabilization program.

Portugal pursued International Monetary Fund (IMF)-monitored stabilisation programmes in 1977–78.

1978: Mário Soares continues as Prime Minister.

Mário Soares continued to be the prime minister in 1978.

1982: Revision of the Portuguese Constitution

In 1982, the Portuguese Constitution was revised, maintaining references to socialism, workers' rights, and the desirability of a socialist economy.

1983: Mário Soares resumes as Prime Minister.

Mário Soares resumes as prime minister from 1983 to 1985.

1983: Portugal becomes a full member of the Latin Union

Portugal became a full member of the Latin Union in 1983.

1983: IMF stabilization program.

Portugal pursued International Monetary Fund (IMF)-monitored stabilisation programmes in 1983–85.

1985: Mário Soares continues as Prime Minister.

Mário Soares continues to be the prime minister in 1985.

1986: Portugal joins the European Economic Community

In 1986, Portugal joined the European Economic Community (EEC), which later became the European Union (EU).

1986: Portugal leaves EFTA

In 1986, Portugal left EFTA.

1989: Another revision of the Portuguese Constitution

In 1989, there was another revision of the Portuguese Constitution.

1990: Base year for emissions reduction

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

1993: Portugal joins the European Union

In 1993, Portugal joined 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 Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP)

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

1998: Nobel Prize in Literature

José Saramago received the 1998 Nobel Prize in Literature.

1999: Handover of Macau to China and Founding member of the Eurozone

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

2000: World Health Organisation ranking

In 2000, Portugal's healthcare system was ranked 12th best in the world by the World Health Organisation.

2000: Portugal's Mediterranean Basin flora

Portugal is located on the Mediterranean Basin, the third most diverse hotspot of flora in the world in the year 2000.

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 recognized the independence of East Timor.

2003: Smaller metropolitan areas also held this status

Several smaller metropolitan areas (Algarve, Aveiro, Coimbra, Minho and Viseu) also held the administrative legal status from 2003 to 2008.

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: Euro 2004

In Euro 2004, Portugal finished second.

2005: MTV Europe Music Awards

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

2005: Higher education statistics

In 2005, the total number of 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: 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 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

In the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Portugal finished fourth.

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: Conversion to intermunicipal communities

In 2008, smaller metropolitan areas were converted into intermunicipal communities, whose territories are roughly based on the NUTS III statistical regions.

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: 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: Financial crisis leads to economic disruption

The 2008 financial crisis caused economic disruption and an unsustainable growth in government debt in Portugal.

December 2009: Treaty of Lisbon enters into force

In December 2009, the Treaty of Lisbon entered into force, enhancing the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of the European Union.

2009: PISA level observed

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

November 2010: NATO summit

In November 2010, Portugal hosted the NATO summit.

2010: Electricity exports outnumber imports

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

2010: Diabetes mortality rate

In 2010 the diabetes mortality rate was 4.5%.

2010: Secondary education made compulsory

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

2011: Portugal negotiates a loan with the IMF and European Union

In 2011, Portugal negotiated a loan with the IMF and the European Union through the European Financial Stability Mechanism and the European Financial Stability Facility, to stabilize its finances.

2012: PISA level observed

in science, mean performance in 2018 was below that of 2015, and returned close to the level observed in 2009 and 2012, near below average.

2013: Local government reform

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

2014: Discovery of Aroeira 3 H. Heidelbergensis 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 level observed

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.

2017: Eurovision Song Contest 2017

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

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2017: Tentative addition of Selvagens Islands to UNESCO's world heritage list

The Selvagens Islands were tentatively added to UNESCO's world heritage list in 2017.

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: Budget plan for tax breaks

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

2018: UEFA Nations League

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

2018: Eurovision Song Contest hosted

Portugal hosted the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest.

2019: Social Justice Index ranking

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

2021: Catholic population

According to the 2021 Census, 80.2% of the Portuguese population was Catholic. The country also has small Protestant, Latter-day Saint, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Eastern Orthodox Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Baháʼí, Buddhist, Jewish and Spiritist communities.

2021: Diabetes mortality rate

By 2021 the diabetes mortality rate had decreased to 2.8%.

2021: Recognition of Barranquenho

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

2021: Adult literacy rate

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

2022: INE study of immigrant background

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 on race

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: Foreign residents acquired citizenship

In 2022, almost 21,000 foreign residents acquired Portuguese citizenship, of which 11,170 were female and 9,674 were male.

2022: Emigration and Immigration rates

In 2022, net immigration persisted even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the emigration rate increased to 6.9% but remained well below the immigration rate of around 11.3%. Among those that had left the country, 56.8% returned within a year.

2023: Adult health rating

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

2023: INE study of immigrant background

2023: Statistics Portugal study on race

2023: Portugal emits 339 million tonnes of greenhouse gases

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

December 2024: Portugal Population

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: Fertility rate

As of 2024, Portugal's total fertility rate (TFR) was estimated at 1.36 children born per woman, one of the lowest in the world.

2024: Legal resident foreigners

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

2024: UEFA Nations League

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

2025: Healthcare system ranking

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

2025: 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 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.