2007–2019 2007
- c. 30: Resort staff leave note at swimming-pool reception asking that the same table in resort's tapas restaurant be booked every evening for 20:30 for McCanns and Tapas Seven, who are leaving their children in the apartments. The restaurant is a walk of 82 metres (295 ft) from 5A.
- 14:29: Kate takes last-known photograph of Madeleine, sitting by the pool.
- 20:30: McCanns and Tapas Seven go to tapas restaurant.
- 21:05: Gerry checks on children in 5A.
- 22:00: Kate reports Madeleine missing.
- 22:10–22:30: Resort alerts police.
- 01:00: Polícia Judiciária arrive at resort.
- Morning: Gerry makes first television appeal.
- 9: British police arrive in Praia da Luz.
- 26: Martin Smith makes first statement, to Portuguese police, about Smith sighting.
- 27: McCanns hire Renault Scenic.
- 6: German journalist asks McCanns whether they were involved.
- 30: First (3,000-word) article critical of McCanns appears, in Sol, a Portuguese weekly.
- 31: British sniffer dogs arrive in Praia da Luz.
- 2: Polícia Judiciária remove items from McCanns' rented house, including Kate's diary.
- 3: Sniffer dog reacts inside 5A.
- 6: Polícia Judiciária impound McCanns' rental car.
- 6: Sniffer dog reacts to McCanns' car, other items.
- 7: Material sent to British lab for DNA tests.
- 7: McCanns made arguidos by Polícia Judiciária.
- 7: Polícia Judiciária interview Kate and Gerry; Kate declines to answer questions.
- Unknown: Martin Smith, of the "Smith sighting", sees Gerry McCann carry his son from the plane, and reports to British police that he believes this was the man he saw in Praia da Luz. He later accepts that he was mistaken.
- 10: Polícia Judiciária leak that Madeleine's DNA was found in McCanns' rental car.
- 11: The Sun: "Brit Lab Bombshell: Car DNA is 100% Maddie's".
- Late: Kate and twins drug-tested in the UK at McCanns' request; results negative.
- 3: Chief Inspector Gonçalo Amaral removed from Portuguese inquiry.
- 26: McCanns release artists' impression of man in Tanner sighting.
2008
- 23: McCanns receive £550,000 damages and front-page apologies from four newspapers.
- Late: McCanns hire Oakley International for six months for £500,000; Oakley produces Smith e-fits, which are not released.
- 8: Tapas Seven interviewed in UK; Polícia Judiciária attend.
- 17: Robert Murat and friends receive £600,000 damages, and over the following days 13 newspapers publish apologies.
- 21: Polícia Judiciária investigation closed.
- Late: Kate's diary published in Portugal.
- 4: Polícia Judiciária files released.
2009
- 1 May: McCanns release age-progressed image.
- 9 Sept: Injunction against Amaral book.
2010
- May: Gamble hands his "scoping report" to the Home Office, recommending a review.
- 19 Oct: Lisbon court lifts Amaral book ban.
2011
- 28 Apr: Bantam Press releases Madeleine by Kate McCann.
- Mar: Polícia Judiciária begin case review.
- 11 May: While serializing Kate's book, The Sun publishes open letter requesting British police review. Home Secretary Theresa May speaks by telephone to CEO of News International and editor of The Sun.
2012
2013
- 12 Sept: McCanns v Amaral libel hearings begin.
- 14 Oct: Scotland Yard–Crimewatch reconstruction, during which 2008 Smith e-fits are released for the first time.
- 24 Oct: Polícia Judiciária reopen their inquiry.
2014
- 19 Mar: Scotland Yard issue another appeal.
- June: British and Portuguese police dig in wasteland in Praia da Luz.
- July: Suspects and witnesses interviewed in Portugal.
- Dec: More interviews in Portugal.
2015
- 28 Apr: McCanns win damages from Amaral; book banned again.
- Oct: Operation Grange reduced to four detectives.
2016
- 20 Apr: Amaral wins libel appeal; book ban lifted.
- April: British Home Secretary approves £95,000 to fund remaining line of inquiry.
- June: Operation Grange interviews victim of Clement Freud, who owned home in Praia da Luz.
2017
- 1 Feb: McCanns lose Amaral libel appeal at Supreme Court of Portugal. Court said McCanns had not been cleared in 2008.
- March: British Home Secretary approves another £85,000 to fund inquiry.
2018
- Nov: British Home Secretary approves another £150,000 to fund inquiry, taking the cost to £11.75 million.
2019
- March: Scotland Yard requests funding to cover until March 2020.
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