Quarterly publication with numbers in February, June and October. It was founded in 1988 by the Department of Contemporary History (UPV-EHU) , and has been directed by José Mª Beascoechea since 2018. It has been directed by Eduardo J. Alonso Olea since 2025.

Welcomes academic studies, original and unpublished, in Spanish and English on contemporary history in its different aspects and methodologies. It accepts monographic dossiers and publishes recensions of books of the specialty. This journal has no article processing (APC) or submission charges.

HISTORIA CONTEMPORÁNEA is recognized with the seal of quality of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), and is collected and indexed in: Scopus, Fuente Académica Plus, American History and Live, Historical Abstracts, Sociological Abstracts, IPSA , País International, ISOC, MLA, Political Sciencie Complete and WPSA. Also the summaries and repertoires of Ulrich's, Dialnet, Latindex, and Sumaris CBUC are collected. It is evaluated in SRJ, SCImago Journal & Country Rark, ERIHPlus, DICE, CIRC, ANEP, Carhus Plus +, Latindex and MIAR. Its Access Policies are: Dulcinea (blue) and SHERPA / ROMEO (green).