The participation of Portugal in the OTI Festival began at the first OTI Festival in 1972. The Portuguese participating broadcaster was (RTP), which was member of the (OTI). It participated in twenty-two of the twenty-eight editions and hosted the 1987 festival. Its best result was second achieved in 1984.
RTP was member of the OTI and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), so it was eligible to participate in both the OTI Festival and the Eurovision Song Contest representing Portugal. Many of the artists that took part in the OTI Festival for Portugal also represented in the Eurovision Song Contest, such as Anabela, Paulo de Carvalho, José Cid, Dora, Dulce Pontes, Adelaide Ferreira, Simone de Oliveira, and Tonicha.