- The first semi-final was held on 20 May 2008.
- Germany and Spain voted in this semi-final.
| Draw | Country | Language | Artist | Song | Place | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Montenegro | Montenegrin | Stefan Filipović | “Zauvijek volim te” | 14 | 23 |
| 02 | Israel | Hebrew, English | Boaz Ma’uda | “The Fire in Your Eyes” | 5 | 104 |
| 03 | Estonia | Serbian, German, Finnish | Kreisiraadio | “Leto svet” | 18 | 8 |
| 04 | Moldova | English | Geta Burlacu | “A Century of Love” | 12 | 36 |
| 05 | San Marino | Italian | Miodio | “Complice” | 19 | 5 |
| 06 | Belgium | Imaginary | Ishtar | “O Julissi” | 17 | 16 |
| 07 | Azerbaijan | English | Elnur and Samir | “Day After Day” | 6 | 96 |
| 08 | Slovenia | Slovene | Rebeka Dremelj | “Vrag naj vzame” | 11 | 36 |
| 09 | Norway | English | Maria Haukaas Storeng | “Hold On Be Strong” | 4 | 106 |
| 10 | Poland | English | Isis Gee | “For Life” | 10 | 42 |
| 11 | Ireland | English, French [A] | Dustin the Turkey | “Irelande Douze Pointe” | 15 | 22 |
| 12 | Andorra | English, Catalan | Gisela | “Casanova” | 16 | 22 |
| 13 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Bosnian | Laka | “Pokušaj” | 9 | 72 |
| 14 | Armenia | English, Armenian | Sirusho | “Qélé, Qélé” (Քելե Քելե) | 2 | 139 |
| 15 | Netherlands | English | Hind | “Your Heart Belongs to Me” | 13 | 27 |
| 16 | Finland | Finnish | Teräsbetoni | “Missä miehet ratsastaa” | 8 | 79 |
| 17 | Romania | Romanian, Italian | Nico and Vlad | “Pe-o margine de lume” | 7 | 94 |
| 18 | Russia | English | Dima Bilan | “Believe” | 3 | 135 |
| 19 | Greece | English | Kalomira | “Secret Combination” | 1 | 156 |