Internationalization of SMEs

Opens new opportunities for Portuguese companies abroad

Portuguese companies have shown remarkable adaptability and resilience, but expanding beyond national borders remains a demanding challenge.

The new call MPR-2025-16, Internationalization of SMEs, launched undPortuguese companies have shown remarkable adaptability and resilience, but expanding beyond national borders remains a demanding challenge. The new call MPR-2025-16, Internationalization of SMEs, launched under Portugal 2030, was created to support this step. It aims to strengthen the presence of small and medium-sized enterprises in international markets and increase their competitiveness.

Financed by the ERDF through the COMPETE 2030, Lisbon 2030 and Algarve 2030 programs, this measure prioritizes projects that invest in more advanced, sustainable and digital business strategies. The goal is clear – to provide companies with the resources they need to expand their activity, diversify markets and integrate into global value chains.

Among the actions eligible for support are participation in international trade fairs, business missions and market prospecting initiatives, as well as brand creation and promotion, digital marketing and e-commerce campaigns, and product and process certification for export markets. Initiatives that integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices are also encouraged.

The support is granted in the form of a non-repayable grant, covering up to 50% of eligible expenses, with a maximum limit of 300,000 euros per project, depending on the application phase and investment region. Projects must have a minimum eligible investment of 200,000 euros and can run for up to 24 months. Applications are open in two phases, until 30 December 2025 and 31 March 2026.

More than just funding, this initiative represents a real opportunity for Portuguese companies to gain scale and international visibility. It promotes the modernization of management processes, the adoption of digital tools and the strengthening of brand reputation abroad. In an increasingly competitive global context, this support may be the push that helps Portuguese SMEs turn ambition into concrete results.