The presidential elections are scheduled for January 18th, with the campaign ending on the 16th, for the usual day of reflection on the eve of the election.

Eleven candidates are running for president, a record number: Henrique Gouveia e Melo, Luís Marques Mendes (supported by PSD and CDS), António Filipe (supported by PCP), Catarina Martins (Bloco de Esquerda), António José Seguro (supported by PS), the painter Humberto Correia, the trade unionist André Pestana, Jorge Pinto (supported by Livre), Cotrim Figueiredo (supported by Iniciativa Liberal), André Ventura (supported by Chega), and the musician Manuel João Vieira.

However, the ballot papers will list 14 names, including the three candidates excluded by the Constitutional Court after failing to correct irregularities that had been identified within the stipulated timeframe: Joana Amaral Dias, Ricardo Sousa, and José Cardoso.

The pre-campaign has been marked by cases involving candidates Luís Marques Mendes and Henrique Gouveia e Melo.

Some candidates expressed the wish that the official campaign period not be marked by "cases" but serve to discuss issues "that matter to the lives of the Portuguese people," such as the problems of the National Health Service (SNS).