Blog | Financial Incentives | Portugal 2030 launches new support for SME Internationalisation with a €57 million budget
Consulting | October 1, 2025
Portugal 2030 launches new support for SME Internationalisation with a €57 million budget
Portugal 2030 has just published the Notice MPr-2025-16 – SICE – SME Internationalisation – Individual Operations – a new support measure designed to enable micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to expand their presence in international markets.
With a total budget of €57M, this notice represents a significant evolution compared to the previous edition, broadening access to new exporters and strengthening the available funding rates.
The support aims to promote the internationalisation of SMEs, whether or not they have a track record of international sales.
The new incentive falls under the Business Competitiveness Incentive System (SICE) and aims to promote the internationalisation of SMEs’ business models through the adoption of more advanced strategies, digital presence and integration into global value chains.
Beneficiaries and Regions
SMEs from any sector, located in the North, Centre, Lisbon, Alentejo and Algarve regions, may apply, provided they have organised accounting and registered activity in Mainland Portugal.
Main Areas of Action
Eligible operations are those that promote:
- Knowledge, market research and presence in external markets;
- International marketing;
- Online presence and e-commerce;
- International brand creation and promotion;
- Organisational innovation linked to commercial practices or external relations;
- Market-specific certification and quality for external markets.
The areas of each action must include marketing innovation and organisational innovation.
Eligible Expenses
- Hiring up to two qualified human resources (level ≥6) with a base salary of up to €2,250/month;
- Participation in international fairs and exhibitions, including space rental, stand assembly, travel and accommodation;
- Specialised consultancy services, namely:
- International marketing campaigns and digital promotion;
- Certification of products, processes or services;
- Brand creation and registration;
- Domiciliation and subscription of electronic platforms;
- Customer prospecting and promotion in external markets;
- Implementation of ESG practices.
The minimum eligible investment per application is €200,000, and projects must have a maximum duration of 24 months.
Call phases
The notice is divided into two phases, depending on SMEs’ International Turnover in 2024:
- Phase 1: International Turnover equal to or greater than €200,000:
- Maximum support rate: 40%; and
- Maximum incentive: €300,000.
- Phase 2: International Turnover below €200,000
- Maximum support rate: 50% (for the North, Centre and Alentejo regions) or 40% (Lisbon and Algarve); and
- Maximum incentive: €150,000.
Call Budget
The overall allocation of €57M is distributed as follows:
| Region | Maximum Rate | Budget Allocation |
|---|---|---|
| North, Centre and Alentejo | Phase 1: 40%; Phase 2: 50% |
€50M |
| Lisbon | 40% | €3M |
| Algarve | 40% | €4M |
| Total | €57M | |
Key changes compared to the previous call
The new 2025 SICE – SME Internationalisation introduces important structural changes compared to the previous call:
- Increase in allocation, from €32M in 2024 to €57M in 2025;
- Opening the call to “new” exporters – companies with international turnover (in the pre-project year) below €200,000;
- Strengthened co-financing rate for new exporters (50%);
- Incentive ceilings adjusted to companies’ international maturity: €300,000 (Phase 1) and €150,000 (Phase 2).
Applications
The application period has already started for both phases, but the deadline for submitting applications varies accordingly:
Phase 1: Applications until December 30, 2025;
Phase 2: Applications until March 31, 2026.
Funding decisions will be communicated within 60 working days after the close of each phase.
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