Between the Portuguese under-20 and under-21 sides, Ferreira appeared in a total of 27 matches.
He made his debut for the full side on 7 September 2002, playing the second half of a 1–1 friendly draw to England at Villa Park.

Ferreira was selected by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari for the UEFA Euro 2004 tournament.
He started their opening match against Greece, but a series of mistakes in the 1–2 loss saw him dropped for Miguel for the rest of the tournament.
Following an injury to the latter late into the first half of the final, however, he returned to action in another defeat to the same opponent, now 1–0.

Ferreira made two appearances for Portugal in the 2006 FIFA World Cup: in the 0–1 semi-final loss against France, he replaced injured Miguel during the second half, and started the third place play-off against the host country Germany (1–3 defeat).
Subsequently, he faced competition from Bosingwa and Miguel for the right-back slot, and was often deployed at the opposite flank following the retirement of Nuno Valente.

Ferreira was named in the squad for the Euro 2008.
He started all four games as a left-back, in an eventual quarter-final exit.

A regular in the 2010 World Cup qualifying phase, Ferreira would then be included in the 23-men squad to represent the Selecção in the finals.
He only played the opening game in South Africa, a goalless draw to the Ivory Coast.

On 30 August 2010, Ferreira announced he would be also retiring from the national team, shortly after Simão Sabrosa did.
Between the Portuguese under-20 and under-21 sides, Ferreira appeared in a total of 27 matches. He made his debut for the full side on 7 September 2002, playing the second half of a 1–1 friendly draw to England at Villa Park.
Ferreira was selected by coach Luiz Felipe Scolari for the UEFA Euro 2004 tournament. He started their opening match against Greece, but a series of mistakes in the 1–2 loss saw him dropped for Miguel for the rest of the tournament. Following an injury to the latter late into the first half of the final, however, he returned to action in another defeat to the same opponent, now 1–0.
Ferreira made two appearances for Portugal in the 2006 FIFA World Cup: in the 0–1 semi-final loss against France, he replaced injured Miguel during the second half, and started the third place play-off against the host country Germany (1–3 defeat). Subsequently, he faced competition from Bosingwa and Miguel for the right-back slot, and was often deployed at the opposite flank following the retirement of Nuno Valente.
Ferreira was named in the squad for the Euro 2008. He started all four games as a left-back, in an eventual quarter-final exit.
A regular in the 2010 World Cup qualifying phase, Ferreira would then be included in the 23-men squad to represent the Selecção in the finals. He only played the opening game in South Africa, a goalless draw to the Ivory Coast.
On 30 August 2010, Ferreira announced he would be also retiring from the national team, shortly after Simão Sabrosa did.
Paulo Ferreira