The marginal zones of the Maestrazgo Basin (Las Parras and Galve basins) and the Algarve Basin show a similar evolution during basin formation (mainly Jurassic and Early Cretaceous) and inversion (Oligocene-Early Miocene). Common features between the two basins are the control of sedimentation during extension by basement normal and transfer faults (NW-SE and NE-SW) and the complete inversion during the Tertiary accomodated by basement-involved E-W thrusts, preserving the extensional geometry with non-reactivated normal faults at the thrusts hanging-walls. Extensional structures in the Las Parras and Calve basins are consistent with a roughly N-S oriented extension (locally NE-SW and NW-SE, perpendicular to the main normal faults). Thrusts show an overall E-W direction compatible with a near N-S shortening between the Late Eocene and the Early Miocene. Extension in the Algarve Basin was accomodated by ENE-WSW to NE-SW late Variscan faults; NW-SE transfer faults dipping to the Northeast also accomodated some extension and divided the area into sub-basins. Inversion in the Algarve Basin pre-dated deposition ofthe Miocene sediments and was accomodated by S- to S-SE directed thrusts, which cross-cut the main extensional faults