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.

[1] Its highest placing in the contest was sixth, achieved in 1996 with the song "O meu coração não tem cor" performed by Lúcia Moniz.

Eight entries, selected from 29 submissions received through the Portuguese Phonographic Association, the Independent Phonographic Association and individual composers invited by RTP, competed in the competition which took place at the Teatro São Luiz in Lisbon on 7 March 1998, hosted by Carlos Ribeiro and former Eurovision Song Contest entrant Lúcia Moniz, who represented Portugal in the 1996 contest, and broadcast on RTP1 and RTP Internacional.

[3][4] The winner, "Se eu te pudesse abraçar" performed by Alma Lusa, was selected based on the votes of a jury panel.

[5] The jury that voted consisted of Maria do Rosário Domingues, João Filipe Barbosa, Nuno Galopim, Paulo de Carvalho and Sara Tavares.