Hazard went off with an injury during Chelsea's 2-1 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie earlier this month, and has not recovered in time for the upcoming friendly fixture against Portugal.
"I took the decision not to call him up so that he could continue his recuperation," Wilmots said. "I saw him put his hands on hips five times against PSG -- I understood.
And Wilmots is also hopeful that Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany will prove his fitness ahead of Euro 2016.
"He'll need five to eight weeks to return to competition," Wilmots said. "The calf he hurt is not the one that he's often injured before, it's the other one. We'll see with him on May 16.
"I spoke to him on the telephone. He has huge desire. He's worked a lot to come back physically. A great sportsman always comes back."
Regular Belgium starters Kevin De Bruyne and Jan Vertonghen are also out through injury.
Eden Hazard's brother Thorgan, who plays at Borussia Moenchengladbach, has returned to the squad, while Nantes midfielder Guillaume Gillet has also earned a recall -- although Wilmots clarified that he envisaged the versatile former Anderlecht player providing cover at right back.
Uncapped Club Brugge centre back Bjorn Engels, 21, has been included, while Oostende left back Jordan Lukaku joins his brother Romelu in the squad.
Wilmots also added that there was no truth in rumours that his former club Bordeaux had contacted him about becoming their manager after Euro 2016.
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