Portugal

Bandidos do Cante are a Portuguese musical group originating from Beja, in the Alentejo region. The quintet is composed of Miguel Costa, Duarte Farias, Francisco “Kiko” Raposo, Luís Aleixo and Francisco Pestana, all natives of the municipality of Beja, except for Francisco Pestana, who is from Monte Trigo, in the municipality of Portel. The group distinguishes themselves by its fusion of Cante Alentejano and contemporary and pop sounds. They represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with the song “Rosa”.

Napa (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈnapɐ]; stylised in all caps) is a Portuguese indie band from Madeira consisting of Francisco Sousa, João Rodrigues, João Guilherme Gomes, João Lourenço Gomes, and Diogo Góis. They represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song “Deslocado”, finishing in 21st place overall with 50 points.

Iolanda Costa (European Portuguese pronunciation: [juˈlɐ̃dɐ ˈkɔʃtɐ]; born 4 November 1994), known mononymously as Iolanda, is a Portuguese singer and songwriter. She became known for her participation in the first season of the program Uma canção para ti, broadcast by TVI in December 2008. Iolanda represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song “Grito”.

Marisa Isabel Lopes Mena (born 25 October 1984), known professionally as Mimicat, is a Portuguese pop and soul singer and songwriter. She represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song “Ai coração”. She had previously participated in Festival da Canção 2001 with the song “Mundo colorido” under the stage name Izamena, but did not advance beyond the semi-finals.

Mariana Brito da Cruz Forjaz Secca (born 30 October 1994), known professionally as Maro (stylised in all caps), is a Portuguese singer and songwriter. She won Festival da Canção 2022 and represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy with the song “Saudade, saudade”.

The Black Mamba is a Portuguese band. They represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam with the song “Love Is on My Side”. The band has released four albums: The Black Mamba (2010), Dirty Little Brother (2014), The Mamba King (2018) and Last Night in Amsterdam (2024).

Maria Elisa Silva (born 7 May 1999), known simply as Elisa, is a Portuguese singer from Ponta do Sol, Madeira. She won Festival da Canção 2020 and would have represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 held in Rotterdam, Netherlands with the song “Medo de sentir”, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On 28 April 2021, it was announced that Elisa would be the spokesperson for Portugal announcing the countries points in the final of Eurovision Song Contest 2021.

Tiago Emanuel da Silva Miranda (born 5 January 1989), known professionally as Conan Osíris (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈkɔnɐn ɔˈziɾiʃ]), is a Portuguese singer-songwriter. His stage name is based on the main character from Japanese series Future Boy Conan and the ancient Egyptian god Osiris. He represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 with the song “Telemóveis”.

Cláudia Rafaela Teixeira Pascoal (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈklawðiɐ tɐjˈʃɐjɾɐ pɐʃˈkwal]; born 12 October 1994) is a Portuguese singer and songwriter from São Pedro da Cova, Gondomar. She represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song “O jardim” and she participated in several talent shows, including The Voice Portugal, where she finished sixth.

Salvador Vilar Braamcamp Sobral (European Portuguese: [salvɐˈðoɾ viˈlaɾ βɾɐ̃ˈkɐ̃p suˈβɾal]; born 28 December 1989) is a Portuguese singer, who won the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 for Portugal with the song “Amar pelos dois”, written and composed by his sister, Luísa Sobral. In doing so, he gave Portugal its first ever win in the contest since its debut in 1964, ending the longest winless run by a country in Eurovision history (53 years). Sobral and his entry hold the Eurovision record for the highest-scoring winner, having earned a total of 758 points under the current voting system, after winning both the jury vote and televote.

Leonor Margarida Coelho Andrade, also known as Ella Nor (born 13 September 1994) is a Portuguese singer and actress. She represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song “Há um mar que nos separa”.

Susana Guerra (born 24 January 1980), known professionally as Suzy Guerra and formerly Suzy, is a Portuguese singer. She represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen, Denmark with the song “Quero ser tua”.

Filipa Sousa (born 2 March 1985) is a Portuguese singer. She represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan with the song “Vida minha”. Sousa debuted in 2003, as a member of the Portuguese group, Al-Mouraria. In the same year, she auditioned for the second edition of Operação Triunfo, reaching the 30 finalist but not qualifying for the last 15.

Homens da Luta (English: Men of the Struggle) were a Portuguese improvisational comedy and musical street performance duo consisting of brothers Nuno Duarte (“Neto”) and Vasco Duarte (“Falâncio”). Their songs are a parody of protest songs sung during the period that followed the 1974 Carnation Revolution, and the characters played are caricatures of the revolutionary singers of the time, such as José Afonso and José Mário Branco. Homens da Luta often used the term luta (which means “struggle” or “fight”) to invoke slogans that became famous during the Portuguese revolutionary period, such as “A Luta Continua” (The Struggle Goes On). In 2010, Homens da Luta released a 14-song album named A Canção é uma arma (The song is a weapon). Homens da Luta represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 with “A luta é alegria”, finishing in 18th place with 22 points.

Filipa Daniela Azevedo de Magalhães (Portuguese pronunciation: [fiˈlipazɨˈveðu]; born 31 July 1991) is a Portuguese singer. She is currently resident in the United Kingdom while attending music school in London. Azevedo represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with the song “Há dias assim”, finishing 18th out of 25 in the final held in Oslo on 29 May 2010 in Oslo, Norway.

Flor de Lis is a Portuguese folk music group which represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, Russia, following their victory in the 45th edition of Festival da Canção, with the song “Todas as ruas do amor” (English: All the streets of love). It qualified for the final from the first semi final where it finished 15th.

Portugal was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song “Senhora do mar (negras águas)”, written by Andrej Babić and Carlos Coelho, and performed by Vânia Fernandes. The Portuguese participating broadcaster, Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP), organised the national final Festival da Canção 2008 in order to select its entry for the contest. The competition took place on 9 March 2008 where the winner was selected exclusively by public televoting. “Senhora do mar (negras águas)” performed by Vânia Fernandes emerged as the winner with 17,650 votes.

Maria Teresa Villa-Lobos (born 30 March 1982), known professionally as Sabrina, is a Portuguese singer from Setúbal. She represented her country and national broadcaster RTP at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007, in Helsinki, Finland, after winning the Festival da Canção, the national selection. Due to Portugal’s non-qualification to the final, in 2006, Sabrina performed in the semi-final, finishing 11th thus failing to qualify.

Nonstop was a Portuguese girl group, created through TV reality-competition show Popstars, in 2001. Nonstop achieved notable success with their debut album, Nonstop, and single, “Ao Limite Eu Vou”. Songwriter and producer Eliot Kennedy – who had previously worked with bands like the Spice Girls and Take That – once said “they are probably the best group I have worked with. Their voices are so good!” Nonstop represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with “Coisas de nada”, finishing in 19th place with 26 points.

Portugal was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 with the song “Amar”, written by José da Ponte, Alexandre Honrado, and Ernesto Leite, and performed by the duo 2B. The Portuguese participating broadcaster, Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP), internally selected its entry for the contest. 2B and “Amar” were announced as on 22 March 2005, and the song was presented to the public on 1 April 2005. Portugal competed in the semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 19 May 2005.

Sofia Vitória Inácio (born 28 April 1979 in Setúbal, Portugal) is a Portuguese singer. Prior to recording her debut album “Palavra de Mulher”, she performed in Portugal’s main concert halls, as well as in Brazil, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Macao, Wales and Turkey. Sofia is strongly influenced not only by Jazz but also by World Music. She released her first record in partnership with pianist Luís Figueiredo. Sofia Vitória represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with “Foi magia”, finishing in 15th place with 38 points.

Rita Maria de Azevedo Mafra Guerra, commonly known as Rita Guerra (born 22 October 1967) is a Portuguese singer-songwriter. She represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 where she sang “Deixa-me sonhar” and finished 22nd. In 2020, she won the Portuguese version of Masked Singer as the crow.

Portugal was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2001 with the song “Só sei ser feliz assim” written by Marco Quelhas and performed by the duo MTM. The Portuguese participating broadcaster, Radiotelevisão Portuguesa (RTP), returned to the Eurovision Song Contest after a one-year absence following their relegation in 2000 as one of the six countries with the lowest average scores over the previous five contests. RTP organised the national final Festival da Canção 2001 in order to select its entry for the contest. After five semi-finals and a final which took place between October 2000 and March 2001, “Só sei ser feliz assim” performed by MTM emerged as the winner after achieving the highest score following the combination of votes from 20 regional juries.

Portugal was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1999 with the song “Como tudo começou” composed by Jorge do Carmo, with lyrics by Tó Andrade, and performed by Rui Bandeira. The Portuguese participating broadcaster, Radiotelevisão Portuguesa (RTP), organised the national final Festival da Canção 1999 in order to select its entry for the contest. The competition took place on 8 March 1999 where “Como tudo começou” performed by Rui Bandeira emerged as the winner following the votes from 11 regional juries. The song competed in the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 29 May 1999.

Portugal was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1998 with the song “Se eu te pudesse abraçar” written by José Cid, and performed by the group Alma Lusa. The Portuguese participating broadcaster, Radiotelevisão Portuguesa (RTP), organised the national final Festival RTP da Canção 1998 in order to select its entry for the contest. The competition took place on 7 March 1998 where “Se eu te pudesse abraçar” performed by Alma Lusa emerged as the winner following the votes from a five-member jury panel. Songwriter José Cid represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980 with the song “Um grande, grande amor” which placed seventh in the competition.

Portugal was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 with the song “Antes do adeus” composed by Thilo Krasmann, with lyrics by Rosa Lobato de Faria, and performed by Célia Lawson. The Portuguese participating broadcaster, Radiotelevisão Portuguesa (RTP), organised the national final Festival RTP da Canção 1997 in order to select its entry for the contest. After five semi-finals and a final which took place between January and March 1997, “Antes do adeus” performed by Célia Lawson emerged as the winner after achieving the highest score following the combination of votes from 20 regional juries and a public televote. The song competed in the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 3 May 1997.

Ana Lúcia Pereira Moniz (born 9 September 1976) is a Portuguese singer and actress. Moniz represented her country in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 and has released five music albums to date. She has also acted in several television shows, in theatre, and in films, most prominently in the 2003 British ensemble film Love Actually.

Tó Cruz (born António José Ramos da Cruz; 9 July 1967 in Lisbon) is a Portuguese singer of Cape Verdean descent, best known for his participation in the 1995 Eurovision Song Contest.

Sara Alexandra Lima Tavares (Portuguese: [ˈsaɾɐ taˈvaɾɨʃ]; 1 February 1978 – 19 November 2023) was a Portuguese singer, composer, guitarist and percussionist. She was born and raised in Lisbon, Portugal. Second-generation Portuguese of Cape Verdean descent, she composed African-, Portuguese- and North American-influenced world music. Sara represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 1994 with “Chamar a música”, finishing in 8th place with 73 points.

Anabela Braz Pires (born 22 September 1976 in Almada) is a Portuguese singer and musical theatre actress, best known in Portugal mononymously by her first name, Anabela. Her career in music has spanned over decades, and she is well known for representing Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 1993, her work as a solo recording artist, and her work in musical theatre collaborating with producer Filipe La Féria. In a 2006 interview with Selecções do Reader’s Digest, she joked that in the national consciousness, she went from being known as “the Eurovision girl” to “the La Féria girl.”

Dina (born Ondina Maria Farias Veloso; 18 June 1956 – 11 April 2019) was a Portuguese singer who was best known for her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 1992 in Malmö.

Dulce José Silva Pontes (Portuguese: [ˈdulsɨ ʒuˈzɛ ˈsilvɐ ˈpõtɨʃ]; born 8 April 1969) is a Portuguese songwriter and singer who performs in many musical styles, including classical music, pop and folk. She is usually defined as a world music artist. Her songs contributed to the 1990s revival of Portuguese urban folk music called fado. Dulce represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 1991 with “Lusitana paixão”, finishing in 8th place with 62 points.

Cristina Isabel dos Santos Baldaia Trindade (born on 21 June 1966), better known as Nucha, is a Portuguese singer. She represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 1990.

Da Vinci is a Portuguese band created by Iei-Or and Pedro Luís Neves, whose members included Ricardo, Joaquim Andrade, Dora and Sandra Fidalgo, among others throughout the years. Since Ricardo had a plane accident, he was replaced by Tó. They represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 1989 with the song “Conquistador” and finished 16th. Presently only the two founding members are in the band.

Dora Maria Reis Dias de Jesus (born 20 May 1966 in Lisbon) is a Portuguese singer. She represented Portugal twice at the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1986 she placed 14th with the song “Não sejas mau para mim” and in 1988, she placed 18th with “Voltarei”. She later represented Portugal in the OTI Festival 1990 with the song “Quero acordar”.

Portugal has been represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 57 times since its debut in 1964, missing five contests (1970, 2000, 2002, 2013, and 2016). The current Portuguese participating broadcaster in the contest is Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP), which selects its entrant with the national selection Festival da Canção. Portugal won the contest for the first time in 2017 and hosted the 2018 contest in Lisbon. Portugal finished last on its debut in 1964 and again in 1974, before achieving its best result of the 20th century in 1996, with “O meu coração não tem cor” performed by Lúcia Moniz finishing sixth.

Dora Maria Reis Dias de Jesus (born 20 May 1966 in Lisbon) is a Portuguese singer. She represented Portugal twice at the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1986 she placed 14th with the song “Não sejas mau para mim” and in 1988, she placed 18th with “Voltarei”. She later represented Portugal in the OTI Festival 1990 with the song “Quero acordar”.

Maria Adelaide Mengas Matafome Ferreira (born 23 September 1959) is a Portuguese singer. She started as a rock singer with the hit “Baby suicida” in 1981. After that, she has sung ballads. She represented Portugal in the OTI Festival 1984 with the song “Vem no meu sonho”, placing second. Adelaide represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 1985 with “Penso em ti, eu sei”, finishing in 18th place with 9 points.

Maria Guinot (20 June 1945 – 3 November 2018) was a Portuguese singer, best known for her participation in the 1984 Eurovision Song Contest.

Armando António Capelo Diniz da Gama (1 April 1954 – 17 January 2022) was a Portuguese singer-songwriter and baritone opera singer, whose physical trademark for decades was his shoulder-length jet black hair. Armando Gama represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 1983 with “Esta balada que te dou”, finishing in 13th place with 33 points.

Doce was a Portuguese pop all-female band founded in 1979, one of the first of its type in Portugal and in Europe. Its name is the Portuguese word for “sweet” and its core lineup consisted of Lena Coelho, Laura Diogo, Teresa Miguel and Fátima Padinha. The band was assembled by Tozé Brito, a Portuguese composer and mentor, who envisioned a group focusing on female sensuality, both visually and in its musicality. The group came to an official end in 1987, following Fátima Padinha’s leave in 1986. Doce represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 1982 with “Bem bom”, finishing in 13th place with 32 points.

Carlos Manuel de Marques Paião (1 November 1957 – 26 August 1988) was a singer and songwriter from Portugal. He represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 1981 with the song “Playback”. Carlos Paião was also a doctor, having graduated in medicine in 1983. Some of his songs became national hits.

José Albano Cid de Ferreira Tavares (born 4 February 1942) is a Portuguese singer, composer and record producer. Internationally, Cid is best known for his 1978 progressive rock album 10,000 Anos Depois Entre Vénus e Marte and for representing Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 1980 with the song “Um grande, grande amor”. With a career spanning more than 60 years, Cid has been awarded 25 Silver, eight Gold and three Platinum records in Portugal. In 2019, Cid received a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the second Portuguese singer, after Carlos do Carmo, to receive the honour.

Maria Manuela de Oliveira Moreira Bravo, known as Manuela Bravo (born 7 December 1957) is a Portuguese singer. Bravo made her first public appearance when she was only 5 years old in Cinema Éden, in Lisbon (which is now closed). When she was 15 years old, she released her first single with two songs composed by José Cid, “Nova Geração” and “Another Time”, where she appeared with the band Quarteto 1111. In 1975, Bravo released a new single, with arrangements and orchestrations by Jorge Palma, being the two songs “Tínhamos Vinte Anos” and “Soldado-Escravo” (the last entitled the single) composed by Tozé Brito. Manuela Bravo represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 1979 with “Sobe, sobe, balão sobe”, finishing in 9th place with 64 points.

Gemini was a Portuguese band from the 1970s. The members were Fátima Padinha, Teresa Miguel, Tozé Brito and Mike Sergeant. The group started in 1976, with Tozé Brito, Teresa Miguel, Mike Sergeant and Isabel Ferrão. In 1977 they participated in the Portuguese national final in order to represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Portugal no coração”.

Gemini was a Portuguese band from the 1970s. The members were Fátima Padinha, Teresa Miguel, Tozé Brito and Mike Sergeant. The group started in 1976, with Tozé Brito, Teresa Miguel, Mike Sergeant and Isabel Ferrão. In 1977 they participated in the Portuguese national final in order to represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Portugal no coração”.

Carlos Manuel de Ascenção do Carmo de Almeida (21 December 1939 – 1 January 2021), better known as Carlos do Carmo, was a Portuguese fado singer. The son of Lucília do Carmo, a well-known fadista, do Carmo began his career in fado following his father’s death in 1962, when he returned from a period in Switzerland to help his mother run the family’s fado house. He began singing himself shortly afterwards and, in 1963, he began his career as a recording artist. He continued working at the fado house for a number of years, while also expanding his recording career. Carlos do Carmo represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 1976 with “Uma flor de verde pinho”, finishing in 12th place with 24 points.

José Henrique Duarte Mendes (born 7 August 1947) is a Portuguese former Army captain and singer. He participated in Festival da Canção, for selecting Portugal’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, in 1970, 1971, 1972, and 1973 but he did not win until 1975 when he performed “Madrugada” (lyrics and song from José Luís Tinoco), about the Portuguese Overseas War and the 1974’s Carnation Revolution. He represented Portugal in Eurovision Song Contest 1975 with that song. He finished in 16th place with 16 points, including 12 points from Turkey.

Paulo de Carvalho (born 15 May 1947) is a Portuguese singer. Paulo de Carvalho represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 1974 with “E depois do adeus”, finishing in 14th place with 3 points.

Portugal was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1973 with the song “Tourada”, composed by Fernando Tordo, with lyrics by José Carlos Ary dos Santos, and performed by Tordo himself. The Portuguese participating broadcaster, Radiotelevisão Portuguesa (RTP), selected its entry at the Grande Prémio TV da Canção Portuguesa 1973.

Carlos Eduardo Teixeira Mendes (born 23 May 1947) is a Portuguese singer, best known for representing Portugal in the 1968 and 1972 Eurovision Song Contest. Mendes has also appeared in some television series.

Antónia de Jesus Montes Tonicha (born on 8 March 1946), better known as Tonicha, is a Portuguese pop-folk singer. She represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 1971, with the song “Menina do alto da serra” (“Girl from the country mountain”); she finished ninth in a field of 18, with 83 points. She also represented her country in the OTI Festival 1972 in which she had better luck and finished sixth.

Simone de Macedo e Oliveira (born 11 February 1938), better known as Simone de Oliveira, is a Portuguese singer and actress. She represented Portugal at the 1965 and 1969 editions of the Eurovision Song Contest, with the songs “Sol de inverno” and “Desfolhada portuguesa” respectively.

Carlos Eduardo Teixeira Mendes (born 23 May 1947) is a Portuguese singer, best known for representing Portugal in the 1968 and 1972 Eurovision Song Contest. Mendes has also appeared in some television series.

Eduardo Nascimento (26 June 1943 – 22 November 2019) was an Angolan singer. He represented Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 1967. Nascimento was the leader of a five-member band, Os Rocks, formed in Luanda in 1962. The band travelled to mainland Portugal in the mid-1960s, participating in song festivals and releasing a well-received EP, “Wish I May”, in 1966.

Madalena Iglésias (24 October 1939 – 16 January 2018) was a Portuguese actress and singer. She represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 1966, with the song “Ele e ela”.

Simone de Macedo e Oliveira (born 11 February 1938), better known as Simone de Oliveira, is a Portuguese singer and actress. She represented Portugal at the 1965 and 1969 editions of the Eurovision Song Contest, with the songs “Sol de inverno” and “Desfolhada portuguesa” respectively.

António Calvário da Paz (born 17 October 1938) is a Portuguese singer, actor, and writer. A five-time winner of the national title of King of Radio, he is best known for winning the first edition of the Festival da Canção and representing Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1964 with the song “Oração”, which was the country’s debut entry in the contest. The artist has also made a significant contribution to the local revue scene.