The Protestant faith took root in Hungary among the aristocracy and the wealthy bourgeoisie. Centre of the Protestant movements, along with the cities of Debrecen and Sárospatak, was Transylvania, where the religious union of Alba Iulia was effected (1697–1701), leading to the founding of the Romanian Greek-Catholic church.
In the western regions of the country, however, after the victory against the Turks and the liberation of Buda (1686), the Habsburg Empire gave a strong boost to Catholicism, promoting the construction of religious buildings and settlements.
In Portugal, where the monarchy was associated with religious authority, the principles of the Council of Trent were adopted as royal provisions. As such, the Inquisition could act guarding laws and prohibitions common to the Crown and the Holy See. The prestige of the Dominicans, Franciscans, and in particular of the Society of Jesus, grew on account of the missionary work carried out in Brazil, Cape Verde, southern Africa and Goa.