The Knights Templar essentially ceased existence as a military Catholic Order in 1789, under the name of their direct successor group, the Ordem Militar de Cristo.

In 1312, the Papal bull Vox in Excelso was promulgated by Pope Clement V, effectively abolishing the Knights Templar as a standing military order, under what are widely assumed to be trumped up charges of heresy.

However, King Denis I of Portugal took advantage of this opportunity and shielded his local Templars in the Portuguese town of Tomar. Denis saw the former Templars as potentially being useful in the Reconquista in Portugal, as well as helping to solidify his rule and government. In 1319, Denis reformed the Order under its current name with the blessing of the Pope, and was able to restore some of their fortunes and property, as well as providing a safe haven for any former Knights Templar that had survived the purges in France and elsewhere.

Through the 15th to 18th centuries, the Order would become increasingly more powerful and wealthy, as the fortunes of Portugal during the Age of Discovery continued to increase. Eventually, the Order was secularized by Queen Maria I in the late 1700's, and was again abolished around the same time as the Portuguese Monarchy. The Order was revived a few years later as a civic secular order whose Grand Master would be the President of Portugal.

The hospitallers still exist, they are the Knights of St. John or the Maltese Knights, based in Malta as well as in Rome on the aventine. They had to move their headquarters over history but they are very much still around and very active, charitable people.