João Confraria holds a Doctoral degree in Economics (1991, Universidade Católica Portuguesa - Catholic University of Portugal) and a Master in Economics (1988, Universidade Nova de Lisboa), after undergraduate studies at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Catholic University of Portugal) between 1977 and 1982.

Currently, he serves as member of the Board of ICP-Anacom, Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações (the National Communications Authority).

Previous positions include having served as vice-president of Instituto Nacional da Aviação Civil (Portuguese Civil Aviation Authority) between 2007 and 2011, representative of the Portuguese Government at the Council of Eurocontrol (2011) and member of the Board of ICP and ICP-Anacom (1996 – 2002).

At Universidade Católica Portuguesa, he teaches Public Policy, Regulation & Competition and Telecommunications and he is the Academic Director of the Master in Law and Business. He has been director of the Centre for Applied Studies (2005-2007), coordinator of the Executive Program on Economics of Regulation and Competition (2003-2007) and member of the Board of directors of the MBA Program (1991-1993).