The Portuguese participating broadcaster, Radiotelevisão Portuguesa (RTP), organised the national final Festival da Canção 1999 in order to select its entry for the 1999 contest in Jerusalem, Israel.

The competition took place on 8 March 1999 where "Como tudo começou" performed by Rui Bandeira emerged as the winner following the votes from 11 regional juries.

[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 by a jury panel consisting of RTP representatives Nuno Figueira and Paula Velez, singer Anabela, conductor José Marinho and Antena 1 presenter Armando Carvalheda, from 400 submissions received through an open call for songs, competed in the competition which took place at Sala Tejo of the Pavilhão Atlântico in Lisbon on 8 March 1999, hosted by Manuel Luís Goucha and Alexandra Lencastre and broadcast on RTP1 and RTP Internacional as well as on radio via Antena 1.

Portugal was originally relegated for being one of the seven lowest scoring countries but was eventually allowed to compete after Hungary withdrew from the contest and the participation of Latvia failed to materialise.