The relationship between Portugal and Spain is one of those old romances that are never completely resolved. Brothers by land and sea, separated by a border that hasn’t always been peaceful, united by languages that understand each other, but which stubbornly remain distinct. Since the formation of Portugal as an independent kingdom to the present day, the two countries have oscillated between alliance and rivalry, between admiration and mistrust.
The Birth of Portugal and the First Great Conflict
The separation between Portugal and Spain began in the 12th century, when Afonso Henriques, son of Count Henry of Burgundy and Dona Teresa of León, decided that he didn’t want to be just another vassal of the Kingdom of León. In 1139, after the Battle of Ourique, Afonso Henriques proclaimed himself king of Portugal, which began a process of international recognition that culminated in 1179 with the papal blessing.
Portuguese independence, however, was never guaranteed. Spain (then divided into kingdoms such as Castile, Aragon, and León) always looked at Portugal with a mixture of respect and desire for incorporation. For centuries, the border was the scene of intermittent wars, and each new king in Lisbon needed to reaffirm his sovereignty against more powerful neighbors.
The Philippine Dynasty – When Portugal Was Spanish
In 1580, Portugal’s independence was temporarily interrupted. King Dom Sebastião had died in the Battle of Alcácer Quibir in Morocco, leaving no direct heir. His successor, Cardinal King Henry, also died without descendants, and Portugal was plunged into a succession crisis. Philip II of Spain, Manuel I’s grandson, claimed the throne and, after the Battle of Alcântara, Portugal was annexed to the Hispanic Monarchy, beginning a sixty-year period of Spanish rule.
Unification was never well received by the Portuguese. Although Philip II promised to keep Portuguese institutions intact, the Spanish presence was seen as an occupation. During the reigns of Philip III and Philip IV, pressure increased and, in 1640, taking advantage of Spain’s internal crisis, the Portuguese led by King João IV began the Restoration of independence. The Restoration War lasted 28 years, culminating in the recognition of Portuguese independence in 1668.
The Orange War and Other Border Tensions
The relationship between Portugal and Spain was never completely peaceful, and at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th, tension grew again. The War of the Oranges (1801) was a short but significant conflict in which Spain, allied with Napoleon Bonaparte, invaded Portugal to force it to break its historic alliance with England. Portugal lost the city of Olivença, a territory that is still the subject of diplomatic disputes to this day.
The 20th Century – Parallel Dictatorships and Strategic Relations
For much of the 20th century, Portugal and Spain shared similar political destinies. António de Oliveira Salazar in Portugal and Francisco Franco in Spain established dictatorial regimes which, although different, maintained a pragmatic relationship. While Franco rose to power after the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), Salazar saw neighboring Spain as both a risk and an opportunity. Although both were authoritarian and anti-communist, their policies were not always aligned. During the Second World War, for example, Salazar kept Portugal officially neutral, while Franco leaned towards the Axis without ever fully committing himself.
The relationship between the two regimes remained ambiguous. If, on the one hand, Portugal and Spain avoided direct interference in each other’s internal affairs, on the other, they maintained strategic and economic collaborations, including the so-called Iberian Pact, which sealed a diplomatic cooperation agreement between the two countries.
Democracy and European Integration
With the death of Franco in 1975 and the Carnation Revolution in 1974, both Portugal and Spain began democratization processes. Spain’s transition to democracy was a gradual process, while Portugal went through a sudden revolution that destroyed the Estado Novo. In the following years, the two countries moved closer together, and in 1986 both joined the European Economic Community, which marked a new phase of economic and political cooperation.
Today, Portugal and Spain share close ties within the European Union, collaborating in various areas such as energy, infrastructure and security. The two countries’ economies have become increasingly interdependent, with significant trade and joint projects.
Culture and Shared Identity
Despite historical rivalries, Portugal and Spain share a rich and intertwined cultural heritage. Music, gastronomy, literature, and fado are echoed in flamenco. Spain’s Miguel de Cervantes and Portugal’s Luís de Camões are two giants of Iberian literature. Portuguese cuisine, with its codfish and pastel de nata (custard tart), converses with Spanish cuisine, with its paella and tapas.
Spanish Fingerprints in Portugal
1. Tower of Belém
Built as part of Lisbon’s defensive system, the Belém Tower has witnessed centuries of alliances and disputes between Portugal and Spain.
2. Fort São João Baptista da Foz, Porto
Located at the mouth of the River Douro, this fort was one of many military constructions erected to protect Portugal from Spanish invasions throughout history.
3. Border Castles
Along the border between Portugal and Spain, dozens of castles remind us of a past of wars and disputes. Today, in the towns and villages where they lie, they are one of the best destinations for those who want to escape the crowds.
4. Jerónimos Monastery, Lisbon
This monument is a symbol of the Age of Discovery, financed with wealth from both Iberian nations during the period of the great navigations.
Final Thoughts
Today, Portugal and Spain enjoy a peaceful and cooperative relationship. Military disputes have given way to economic collaboration, tourism, and a continuous cultural exchange. The border that was once the scene of battles is now crossed daily by thousands of people without the need for a passport.
But, like any neighborhood, the relationship between the two countries will never be completely free of tensions. Olivenza is still a sensitive subject. Debates about identity and regionalism persist, especially with the independence movements in Catalonia and the Basque Country. Even so, Portugal and Spain have proved that, despite their historical differences, they can coexist and prosper together.
The past was one of war and broken alliances. The present is one of cooperation. The future? Only time will tell.
