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MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE EU - PORTUGAL

Portugal is on the western side of the Iberian Peninsula and is the westernmost country of mainland Europe. The country has one land border with Spain to the north and east and has a long coastline with the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south. In addition to continental Portugal, the country includes the archipelagos of Azores and Madeira, which are autonomous regions of the country.

The most important sectors of Portugal’s economy in 2014 were wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (25.1 %) and public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (20.5 %) and industry (17.0 %).

Portugal’s main export partners are Spain, France and Germany while its main import partners are Spain, Germany and France.

Capital: Lisbon

Geographical size: 92 225 km²

Population: 10 427 301 (2014)

Population as % of total EU population: 2.1 % (2014)

GDP: € 173.044 billion (2014)

Official EU language(s): Portuguese

Political system: semi-presidential republic

EU member country since: 1 January 1986

Seats in the European Parliament: 21

Currency: Euro. Member of the eurozone since 1 January 1999

Schengen area member? Yes, Schengen Area member since 26 March 1995.

Presidency of the Council: Portugal has held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 3 times between 1992 and 2007.

Portugal in the EU

European Parliament

There are 21 members of the European Parliament from Portugal. Find out who these MEPsare.

European Parliament office in Portugal

Council of the EU

In the Council of the EU, national ministers meet regularly to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. Council meetings are regularly attended by representatives from the Portuguese government, depending on the policy area being addressed.

Presidency of the Council of the EU

The Council of the EU doesn't have a permanent, single-person president (like e.g. the Commission or Parliament). Instead, its work is led by the country holding the Council presidency, which rotates every 6 months.

During these 6 months, ministers from that country's government chair and help determine the agenda of Council meetings in each policy area, and facilitate dialogue with the other EU institutions.

Dates of Portuguese presidencies:

Jan-Jun 1992 | Jan-Jun 2000 | Jul-Dec 2007

More on the current presidency of the Council of the EU.

European Commission

The Commissioner nominated by Portugal to the European Commission is Carlos Moedas, who is responsible for Research, Science and Innovation.

The Commission is represented in each EU country by a local office, called a "representation".

Commission representation in Portugal

European Economic & Social Committee

Portugal has 13 representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee. This advisory body – representing employers, workers and other interest groups – is consulted on proposed laws, to get a better idea of the possible changes to work and social situations in member countries.

Committee of the Regions

Portugal has 12 representatives on the Committee of the Regions, the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives. This advisory body is consulted on proposed laws, to ensure these laws take account of the perspective from each region of the EU.

Permanent representation to the EU

Portugal also communicates with the EU institutions through its permanent representationin Brussels. As Portugal's "embassy to the EU", its main task is to ensure that the country's interests and policies are pursued as effectively as possible in the EU.

Budgets and Funding

How much does Portugal contribute and receive?

Member countries' financial contributions to the EU budget are shared fairly, according to means. The larger your country's economy, the more it pays – and vice versa. The EU budget doesn't aim to redistribute wealth, but rather to focus on the needs of all Europeans as a whole.

Breakdown of Portugal’s finances with the EU in 2014:

Total EU spending in Portugal – € 4.943 billion
Total EU spending as % of Portuguese GNI – 2.89 %
Total Portuguese contribution to the EU budget – € 1.637 billion
Portuguese contribution to the EU budget as % of its GNI – 0.96 %

More figures on the EU budget, revenue and spending:

EU-funded projects in Portugal

The money paid into the EU budget by Portugal helps fund programmes and projects in all EU countries - like building roads, subsidising researchers and protecting the environment.