What does the President of Portugal do?

Published on 22nd January, 2026

Portugal’s citizens went to the polls last Sunday (18th January) to elect a new President from 11 hopeful candidates. This was the first round, with the second round taking place on 8th February between centre left Antonio Jose Seguro and André Ventura, leader of the far-right Chega party.

But what does the President of Portugal do? One of the most common misunderstandings is assuming the President plays a role similar to the US President or the UK Prime Minister. In reality, Portugal operates under a semi-presidential system, where power is deliberately balanced.

The President of Portugal is not involved in day-to-day government. That responsibility lies with the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. Instead, the President acts as a guardian of the constitution, democracy, and institutional stability.

Elected directly by the public for a five-year term, the President’s key role is to oversee and safeguard the political system, not to run it.

The President has several important powers:

• Appointing the Prime Minister, usually the leader of the party or coalition that wins parliamentary elections
• Dissolving Parliament and calling early elections if political deadlock threatens stability
• Vetoing legislation passed by Parliament (although vetoes can sometimes be overridden)
• Representing Portugal internationally, alongside the government
• Acting as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, a largely symbolic but constitutionally important role

Crucially for foreign residents and property investors, the President provides continuity and reassurance. Even during periods of political tension, the office helps ensure that institutions function smoothly and that abrupt or extreme changes are constrained by constitutional checks and balances.For those considering buying property in Portugal, this structure is one of the country’s quiet strengths. It contributes to Portugal’s reputation as a stable, predictable democracy, where long-term investments - particularly in property - are protected by strong institutions rather than the agenda of any single government or political movement.In short, while the Prime Minister governs, the President protects the system, and that stability is one of the reasons Portugal continues to attract international buyers year after year.

Published in: News and Updates / Portuguese Life / Taxation