There are three main types of incentives for Portuguese SMEs.

1) Productive innovation

This covers the services, industry and tourism sectors, requiring a minimum investment of 250 thousand euros. The support takes the form of non-refundable financing of up to 40%.

The following expenses are eligible:

• a) acquisition of machinery and equipment;
• b) acquisition of IT equipment, including software;
• c) construction or renovation works;
• d) technology transfer through the acquisition of patent rights;
• e) license, standard software or software developed for a specific purpose;
• f) studies, diagnostics, audits, marketing plans and architectural and engineering projects.

2) Qualification

The objectives of this program are:

• a) innovation and organizational management;
• b) digital economy and information and communication technologies;
• c) brand creation and design;
• d) development and engineering of products, services and processes;
• e) protection of industrial property;
• f) quality.

The incentive represents a non-refundable investment financing of up to 40% in the regions of Lisbon and Algarve and up to 50% in the regions of North, Centre and Alentejo.

The following are eligible expenses/costs:

• a) equipment required for the implementation of new organizational methods, including software;
• b) salaries for the hiring of 2 qualified human resources;
• c) specialized consulting services;
• d) certification of products, processes or services;
• e) design and registration of new brands;
• f) domiciliation and subscription of applications, membership of electronic platforms or inclusion in directories and search engines;
• g) obtaining, validating and defending patents and other industrial property registrations.

3) Internationalization

The objectives of this incentive are:

3.1.– Participation in fairs and exhibitions abroad. The following costs are eligible:
a) rental of space, communications, inclusion in trade fair catalogues and translation/interpreting services;
b) construction of the stand, rental of equipment and furniture, transport and handling of displays and other promotional materials;
c) operation of the stand, including travel and accommodation services for company representatives and other representation expenses.

3.2.– Specialised consultancy services, provided by external consultants, related to: a) marketing campaigns in the foreign market; b) intervention by Chartered Accountants or Statutory Auditors, in the validation of project expenses, up to a limit of €5,000; c) technical assistance, studies, diagnostics and audits; d) design and registration associated with the creation of new brands or collections; e) domiciliation of applications, initial subscription on electronic platforms, initial subscription of applications under the “software as a service” regime, creation and initial publication of new electronic content, as well as inclusion or cataloguing in directories or search engines.

3.3. – Other investment expenses related to the promotion of internationalization:
a) prospecting and acquisition of new clients, including missions by importers to learn about the beneficiary’s offer;
b) promotional activities carried out in foreign markets, namely press office, public relations, market consultancy and technical assistance in the preparation of events.
The incentive takes the form of non-refundable financing between 40% and 50%.