Europe is rich in plant genetic resources, which are essential for supporting food production not only in Europe but also worldwide. These genetic resources are found on farms and in nature (in situ conservation) and are conserved (ex situ) as seeds and in vitro in gene banks and in many field collections. The Portuguese Plant Gene Bank (BPGV) was established in 1977 in Braga, and the main objective was to be a structure for the conservation of plant genetic diversity in Portugal. Its journey has been guided by the guidelines of important international structures such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Bioversity International (former International Board for Plant Genetic Resources—IBPGR). The Portuguese Plant Gene Bank follows this path of conserving genetic diversity. It also demonstrates the importance of conserving and supplying plant genetic resources to different stakeholders. BPGV performs a broad range of functions and activities, including collecting plants preserving them in medium- and long-term storage, testing viability, and conducting research to assess the characteristics and resilience of these plant materials to biotic and abiotic stresses. With 45 years of existence, BPGV has a long history of collective national and international collaborations and contributions to the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources. In this chapter, we outline the main data and activities of BPGV and explain how they contribute to a better understanding of the role and value of gene banks in general and the Portuguese gene bank in particular, as we try to understand food security challenges in a changing agricultural context.