Originating in INESC’s pole in Porto, created in May 1985, INESC TEC was the result of a profound restructuring process at INESC, which resulted with the progressive local specialisation of its different  poles, culminating in the launching of a set of new institutions. INESC has taken the role of a centre of strategic guidance and national consolidation.

INESC Porto, now INESC TEC, was founded on 18 December 1998, with INESC, the University of Porto and the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto as its founding associates. In June 2006, the Faculty of Science of the University of Porto and the Polytechnic Institute of Porto also became INESC Porto associates.

INESC Porto was recognised as an Associate Laboratory in 2002. The Ministry of Education and Science grants Associate Laboratory status to institutions or Units associated with the national science and technology system. These institutions or Units must have earned the classification of Excellent (or Very Good) in international evaluations, they must be strongly committed to improving the quality of science in Portugal, and must play a central role in this process. The FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology is responsible for administrative relations, public funding, and for evaluating the Associate Laboratories.

In 2011 the institute proposed a new, broader structure for the Associate Laboratory, which was officially recognised by the Ministry of Science as INESC TEC (INESC Technology and Science): INESC TEC (INESC Technology and Science)

In May 2015, as part of a change in its Statutes, ‘INESC TEC’ became the institution’s official name.

The University of Porto, INESC and the Polytechnic Institute of Porto are INESC TEC’s current associates. The Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Science of the University of Porto were independent associates until they were absorbed by the University of Porto when it became a Foundation.