The passive margin of Western Iberia (WIM) developed during the Mesozoic over the pre-existing Variscan Orogen. In the present study we use integrated interpretation and modelling to understand the distribution of Variscan basement provinces in the offshore of Iberia. The NW-SE trending fabric of the Variscan Orogen can be recognized in the WIM, and different Variscan basement provinces behaved differently during extension. Furthermore, major Variscan structures reactivated in extension, compartmentalizing rifting and having a major impact on the final architecture of the WIM.