List of Presidents of Portugal: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Portugal from 1910 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Portugal, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Portugal: António José Seguro (in office since 2026).

Presidents of Portugal in order, with years in office

Teófilo Braga

Served: 1910–1911, 1915

Led the Provisional Government after the 5 October 1910 revolution and served again as president from May to October 1915.

Manuel de Arriaga

Served: 1911–1915

First elected president of the Portuguese Republic; resigned on 26 May 1915.

Bernardino Machado

Served: 1915–1917, 1925–1926

Served two separate spells, each ended by a coup.

Sidónio Pais

Served: 1917–1918

Took power in a coup, became president in April 1918 and was assassinated on 14 December 1918.

João do Canto e Castro

Served: 1918–1919

Took over after Pais's assassination and served until October 1919.

António José de Almeida

Served: 1919–1923

Served a full four-year term.

Manuel Teixeira Gomes

Served: 1923–1925

Resigned on 11 December 1925.

José Mendes Cabeçadas

Served: 1926

Led the revolutionary government for 17 days in May and June 1926.

Manuel Gomes da Costa

Served: 1926

Head of state for 10 days in June and July 1926.

Óscar Carmona

Served: 1926–1951

Longest-serving head of state in Portugal's republican history; died in office on 18 April 1951.

António de Oliveira Salazar

Served: 1951 (interim)

Prime minister who served as interim president for 93 days after Carmona's death; the presidency's website does not count him as a president.

Francisco Craveiro Lopes

Served: 1951–1958

President from July 1951 to August 1958.

Américo Tomás

Served: 1958–1974

Last president of the Estado Novo; removed by the Carnation Revolution of 25 April 1974.

António de Spínola

Served: 1974

Led the National Salvation Junta and was president from 15 May until he resigned on 30 September 1974.

Francisco da Costa Gomes

Served: 1974–1976

President from September 1974 to July 1976.

António Ramalho Eanes

Served: 1976–1986

First president elected in democracy; served two terms.

Mário Soares

Served: 1986–1996

Socialist who served two terms.

Jorge Sampaio

Served: 1996–2006

Socialist who served two terms.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva

Served: 2006–2016

Served two terms.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

Served: 2016–2026

Served two terms, from 9 March 2016 to 9 March 2026.

António José Seguro

Served: 2026–present

Socialist who won the 8 February 2026 runoff with 66.8% of the vote and was sworn in on 9 March 2026.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Portugal

Who is the current president of Portugal?

The current head of state of Portugal is António José Seguro, in office since 2026.

Who were the previous presidents of Portugal?

The presidents and heads of state of Portugal listed on this page, in order, are: Teófilo Braga, Manuel de Arriaga, Bernardino Machado, Sidónio Pais, João do Canto e Castro, António José de Almeida, Manuel Teixeira Gomes, José Mendes Cabeçadas, Manuel Gomes da Costa, Óscar Carmona, António de Oliveira Salazar, Francisco Craveiro Lopes, Américo Tomás, António de Spínola, Francisco da Costa Gomes, António Ramalho Eanes, Mário Soares, Jorge Sampaio, Aníbal Cavaco Silva, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, António José Seguro.

Who was the first president of Portugal?

Manuel de Arriaga was the first president of Portugal, in office 1911–1915.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of Portugal (2026 edition); Presidency of the Portuguese Republic; AFP, Lusa and Fondation Robert Schuman reports on the 2026 election (checked Nov 2026). Complete list of the 21 heads of state since 1910, including interim leaders.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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