SICE – Internationalization of SMEs

Portugal 2030

Portugal 2030 provides financial support to projects that strengthen business capacity for the internationalization of SMEs. This support aims to strengthen the skills of SMEs in order to increase their competitiveness and expand their business in international markets.

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Programme Status

Open

Financing

Up to 300.000€

Territory

NUTS II regions of mainland Portugal

Eligible Entities

Micro and SME

SICE – Internationalization of SMEs

Portugal 2030

Download the Infosheet

Programme Status

Open

Financing

Up to 300.000€

Territory

NUTS II regions of mainland Portugal

Eligible Entities

Micro and SME

Incentive Conditions

Areas of Intervention

Individual operations promoted by SMEs, aimed at business capacity building that seeks the internationalization of business models through the adoption of more advanced business strategies, enhancing the ability to integrate into global value chains through the following actions:
- a) Knowledge of foreign markets (fairs/exhibitions)
- b) Prospecting and presence in international markets (prospecting and attracting new clients, including reverse missions);
- c) International marketing (promotional actions), including the use of web tools (digital platforms);
- d) Online presence and e-commerce;
- e) Creation and international promotion of brands;
- f) Organizational innovation related to commercial practices or external relations;
- g) Quality and specific certification for foreign markets.

Location

NUTS II regions of mainland Portugal (North, Centre, Lisbon, Alentejo, and Algarve).

Beneficiary Entities

Micro and SME

Financing Rate

North, Centre, and Alentejo:
- Phase 1:
  - 40%
- Phase 2:
  - 50%
- Lisbon
  - 40%
- Algarve
  - 40%

Minimum and Maximum Investment

The maximum incentive Phase 1
- €300,000, except for investments located in the NUTS II Algarve region.
The maximum incentive for Phase 2
- €150,000, except for investments located in the NUTS II Algarve region.
Minimum Investment:
- €200,000
* In the year prior to the project, the company must have recorded an individual export level (international turnover) equal to or greater than €200,000 (condition applicable to Phase 1 applicants).
** In the year prior to the project, the company must have recorded an individual export level (international turnover) of less than €200,000 (condition applicable to Phase 2 applicants).

Eligible Expenses

1. Salary costs for hiring qualified human resources, including base salary and mandatory employer social contributions, excluding per diems;
2. Costs incurred in participating in trade fairs and exhibitions abroad, including space rental, booth construction, and operation;
3. Costs of specialized consultancy services provided by external consultants, which do not constitute a continuous or periodic activity and are not related to the normal functioning of the beneficiaries, namely:
- a) marketing campaigns in foreign markets;
- b) certification of products, processes, or services;
- c) design and registration of new brands;
- d) domiciliation and subscription of applications, membership in electronic platforms, or inclusion in directories and search engines;
- e) promotion of internationalization, including prospecting and attracting new clients and promotional actions carried out in foreign markets;
- f) incorporation within companies of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, with a view to adopting environmental, social, and corporate governance practices, including services related to audit processes and obtaining system, service, and product certifications in the environmental area, such as obtaining the Ecolabel and the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS);
- g) intervention of certified accountants or statutory auditors in validating the expenses of payment requests.

Incentive Conditions

Areas of Intervention

Individual operations promoted by SMEs, aimed at business capacity building that seeks the internationalization of business models through the adoption of more advanced business strategies, enhancing the ability to integrate into global value chains through the following actions:
a) Knowledge of foreign markets (fairs/exhibitions)
b) Prospecting and presence in international markets (prospecting and attracting new clients, including reverse missions);
c) International marketing (promotional actions), including the use of web tools (digital platforms);
d) Online presence and e-commerce;
e) Creation and international promotion of brands;
f) Organizational innovation related to commercial practices or external relations;
g) Quality and specific certification for foreign markets.

Location

NUTS II regions of mainland Portugal (North, Centre, Lisbon, Alentejo, and Algarve).

Beneficiary Entities

Micro and SME

Financing Rate

North, Centre, and Alentejo:
Phase 1:
40%
Phase 2:
50%
Lisbon
40%
Algarve
40%

Minimum and Maximum Investment

The maximum incentive Phase 1
€300,000, except for investments located in the NUTS II Algarve region.
The maximum incentive for Phase 2
€150,000, except for investments located in the NUTS II Algarve region.
Minimum Investment:
€200,000
* In the year prior to the project, the company must have recorded an individual export level (international turnover) equal to or greater than €200,000 (condition applicable to Phase 1 applicants).
** In the year prior to the project, the company must have recorded an individual export level (international turnover) of less than €200,000 (condition applicable to Phase 2 applicants).

Eligible Expenses

1. Salary costs for hiring qualified human resources, including base salary and mandatory employer social contributions, excluding per diems;
2. Costs incurred in participating in trade fairs and exhibitions abroad, including space rental, booth construction, and operation;
3. Costs of specialized consultancy services provided by external consultants, which do not constitute a continuous or periodic activity and are not related to the normal functioning of the beneficiaries, namely:
a) marketing campaigns in foreign markets;
b) certification of products, processes, or services;
c) design and registration of new brands;
d) domiciliation and subscription of applications, membership in electronic platforms, or inclusion in directories and search engines;
e) promotion of internationalization, including prospecting and attracting new clients and promotional actions carried out in foreign markets;
f) incorporation within companies of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, with a view to adopting environmental, social, and corporate governance practices, including services related to audit processes and obtaining system, service, and product certifications in the environmental area, such as obtaining the Ecolabel and the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS);
g) intervention of certified accountants or statutory auditors in validating the expenses of payment requests.

Other Grants