José Manuel García-Margallo was born in Madrid on 13 August 1944. He holds a Law Degree (1965); a Master of Laws (Harvard, 1972) and a Doctorate in Law from the University of Miguel Hernández (Alicante) (2002).
- He joined the Finance Inspectorate (1968) and was Director General of Community Development at the Ministry of Culture (1977-1979). He has been a practising lawyer since 1990.
- Member of Congress (1977-1979). President of the Petitions Committee of the Spanish Congress (1979-1982). Spokesperson for the Economy and Finance (1986-1989; 1989-1993; 1993-1994).
- Member of the European Parliament (since 1994). Vice-president of the Subcommittee on Monetary Affairs (1994-1999). Vice-president of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (1999-2004).
- He was awarded the 'Gran Cruz del Mérito Civil' (1982) and the 'Orden del Mérito Constitucional' (1983) [Grand Cross of Civil Merit and Order of Constitutional Merit].