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The process of democratization in Portugal has affected its foreign policy as well as its domestic politics. Democratic Portugal has defined for itself not only a new model of society and political institutions, but also a new model for its participation in international affairs. The fundamental objective of this article is to formulate an approach to understanding the international dimension of the democratic transition and consolidation in Portugal. A first area of reflection, in the context of the long term, considers historical models of the international role of Portugal. This is followed by consideration of the international dimension of democratization between 1974 and 1986. A final section presents the main strategic orientations of contemporary Portuguese foreign policy in the perspective of continuity and change, and concludes that democracy has indeed introduced a new model of participation in international affairs for Portugal.