Performing during the show in position 16, A luta é alegria" was not announced among the top 10 entries of the first semi-final and therefore did not qualify to compete in the final.

[1] The nation's highest placing in the contest was sixth, which they achieved in 1996 with the song "O meu coração não tem cor" performed by Lúcia Moniz.

Portugal's least successful result has been last place, which they have achieved on three occasions, most recently in 1997 with the song "Antes do adeus" performed by Célia Lawson.

The nation qualified to the final in 2010 and placed eighteenth with the song "Há dias assim" performed by Filipa Azevedo.

[5] A jury panel consisting of Head of Delegation for Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest José Poiares, and music producers Fernando Martins and Ramón Galarza selected twenty-four entries for an online vote from 407 submissions received, which were revealed on 19 January 2011.

Criticism was also received from runner-up Nuno Norte who raised concerns of whether the winner was "what the public wants to see at Eurovision" (despite "A luta é alegria" winning the televote).

On 17 January 2011, a special allocation draw was held which placed each country into one of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show they would perform in.

[19] Voting during the three shows involved each country awarding points from 1-8, 10 and 12 as determined by a combination of 50% national jury and 50% televoting.

This jury judged each entry based on: vocal capacity; the stage performance; the song's composition and originality; and the overall impression by the act.

In addition, no member of a national jury was permitted to be related in any way to any of the competing acts in such a way that they cannot vote impartially and independently.