PORTUGAL

Updated February 2026

Below is a schedule of successful restitutions made by Portugal, together with other restitution news. Entries are updated regularly

February 2026

Portugal has made its first-ever restitution of pre-Columbian artefacts to Mexico as both countries commit to combat illegal trafficking of cultural property

Mexiconewsdaily.com

February 2024

Portuguese politicians and museum curators cannot agree whether or not to return the Kwer'ata Re'esu icon painting, looted by the British at Maqdala in 1868

The Art Newspaper

September 2023

An early 16th century icon of the suffering Christ, looted from Ethiopia by Richard Holmes, the British Museum representative at the seige at Maqdala, has been traced to Portugal

The Art Newspaper

November 2022

Following a recent inaccurate report on Portugal's plans for the restitution of objects and human remains, the country's Minister of Culture has recommended reflection, discretion and some reserve

Observador

February 2022

Angolan Minister of Culture is seeking to negotiate the return of Angola's cultural heritage held in Portuguese museums

DW.com