After obtaining a law degree in Portugal, he studied for his PhD at the “Institut Universitaire d’Etudes Européennes” in Geneva, where he was a teaching and research assistant to Professor Dusan Sidjanski. He completed his studies at Georgetown University in the United States.

His political career began in 1980 when he became a member of the Social Democratic Party (PPD/PSD). Elected as a member of parliament on six occasions, he joined the government in 1985 as Deputy Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Internal Administration. Two years later, he was appointed Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. In 1992, aged just 36, José Manuel Durão Barroso was promoted to Minister of Foreign Affairs. He set about promoting the cause of East Timor. As Prime Minister, his main concern was to pull Portugal out of the economic slump in which it found itself in 2002.

On 29 June 2004, José Manuel Durão Barroso was unanimously chosen in a second ballot by the executives of the 25 members of the European Union to preside over the European Commission. At the end of his term of office, the Commission drew up a list of the main achievements of the European Union. The reunification of Europe, brought about by EU enlargement in 2004 and 2007, features prominently. The report refers to the essential role played by the EU during the economic crisis. It helped restore stability to the financial markets and was the first international institution to draw up a tangible recovery plan. José Manuel Durão Barroso also emphasised the fight against global warming, the development of new sources of sustainable growth and social cohesion, and the importance of ushering in a new era for Europe as a global player.

Following his retirement from political life, José Manuel Durão Barroso is now working in the banking sector.