Internationalisation is playing an increasingly important role in the development of the Portuguese education system, as reflected in the implementation of European and international initiatives and in its alignment with the Portuguese Cooperation Strategy 2030 (Council of Ministers Resolution No. 121/2022, 9 December), which provides a framework for cooperation between Portugal and partner countries and sets out guidelines for Portugal’s contribution to the economic and social development of those countries.

The legal framework for mobility and internationalisation combines the general principles of the Education Act (Law No. 46/86, 14 October), which promotes the opening up of the education system to the European and international arena and encourages cooperation with other countries, with specific legislation applicable to higher education, the recognition of qualifications and scientific cooperation. In higher education, Law No. 62/2007, 10 September, which approves the Legal Framework for Higher Education Institutions (RJIES), stipulates that higher education institutions must promote the effective mobility of students and graduates, both nationally and internationally, particularly within the context of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The RJIES establishes the autonomy of institutions to enter into cooperation agreements with organisations of foreign countries, join international academic networks and award degrees in association with institutions in other countries, including joint, double or multiple degrees. Cooperation with Portuguese-speaking countries (CPLP countries) is also encouraged.

The implementation of the Bologna Process is provided for by Decree-Law No 74/2006, 24 March, subsequently amended by Decree-Law No. 107/2008, 25 June, which regulates degrees and diplomas, the three-cycle structure and the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), providing for joint degrees and participation in initiatives such as the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree. Decree-Law No. 66/2018, 16 August, establishes the framework for the recognition of foreign higher education degrees and diplomas, covering automatic, level-based and specific recognition, in accordance with the principles of the Lisbon Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications, ensuring faster and more transparent procedures and strengthening Portugal’s integration into the European Higher Education Area. Ordinance No. 43/2020, 14 February, amends Ordinance No. 33/2019, 25 January, which regulates aspects of the procedural process for the recognition of academic degrees and diplomas awarded by foreign higher education institutions, thereby helping to reduce administrative barriers to academic and professional mobility. 

The mobility of students, teachers, trainers and technical staff is strongly supported through Portugal’s participation in the European Erasmus+ programme. The programme funds individual mobility, strategic partnerships, alliances and cooperation projects, covering school education, higher education, vocational education and training, and adult education. It is the main operational instrument for promoting international mobility and strengthening the European dimension of the Portuguese education system.

With regard to teacher mobility, Decree-Law No. 139-A/90, 28 April (teaching career statute of pre-primary, primary and secondary), as subsequently amended, provides for mechanisms for secondments, leave of absence and participation in international cooperation programmes, including the performance of duties in Portuguese schools abroad or in projects funded by European instruments.
Advanced training and the mobility of researchers are supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (FCT), the Azores Regional Science and Technology Fund (FRCT) and the Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation (ARDITI) in Madeira. The FCT funds scholarships at all academic levels (and non-degree programmes), including mixed-mode or fully overseas programmes that allow part of the studies or research to be carried out abroad in collaboration with international institutions. The FRCT and ARDITI may fund mixed PhD scholarships, but postdoctoral scholarships require that the research plan be carried out at a host institution in the Autonomous Region of the Azores or Madeira, respectively.

Portugal is seeking to align itself with European and international standards by promoting institutional internationalisation strategies, performance-based funding mechanisms and awareness-raising initiatives to boost international participation.

Until July 2025, international relations and mobility were managed by various departments within the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MECI), including the General Secretariat for Education and Science (SGEC), the Directorate-General for Education (DGE), the Directorate-General for Higher Education (DGES), the National Agency for Qualifications and Vocational Education, I.P. (ANQEP), the National Erasmus+ Education and Training Agency (also overseen by the Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security) and the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). Following the reform of the MECI in July 2025, new bodies were created with expanded and strengthened powers, with the following institutions now having responsibilities in the area of mobility and internationalisation:

• Directorate-General for Research, Planning and Evaluation (DGEPA) - coordinates strategic policies and international relations, strengthening monitoring and evaluation.
• Institute for Higher Education, I.P. (IES, I.P.) - is responsible for the coordination and regulation of higher education, promoting quality, internationalisation and integration within the European Higher Education Area.

This comprehensive framework of legislation, instruments and bodies promotes academic and professional mobility, strengthens the European and international dimension of education in Portugal, and facilitates cooperation with other countries – including development cooperation – thereby contributing to the development of skills, collaborative networks and Portugal’s integration into the international educational and scientific community.

Within the European Union (EU), cooperation on education and training takes place at both national and EU level, through a variety of programmes and activities.
The European Union has a long and proven track record in promoting learning mobility, which is a key factor in creating the European Education Area and in helping to address the skills shortage in the EU. 

The European Commission is responsible for implementing the Erasmus+ Programme 2021-2027, following on from the previous European programmes for education and training. In the fields of education and training, youth and sport, the Erasmus+ programme 2021–2027 specifically aims to promote learning mobility for individuals and groups, the active participation of young people in society, as well as cooperation, quality, inclusion and equity, excellence, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of education and training.
Through their activities, participating organisations should therefore actively promote the Programme’s horizontal priorities: inclusion and diversity, environmental sustainability, digital education, and civic engagement and participation.
In Portugal, the decentralised actions of the Programme are managed by two national agencies: the National Agency Erasmus+ Youth/Sports and European Solidarity Corps (for the youth and sports sectors) and the National Agency Erasmus+ Education and Training (for the areas of school education, vocational education and training and adult education and including the Europass initiative). It also supports the internationalisation of education and vocational training in order to encourage the establishment of, and participation in, European networks of education and vocational training institutions, in particular in line with the objectives of the ‘European Universities’ initiative, as well as to enhance the international appeal of education and vocational training institutions.

In the field of education and training, the Erasmus+ programme comprises three Key Actions:
•    Key Action 1: Learning Mobility of Individuals
•    Key Action 2: Cooperation among organisations and institutions
•    Key Action 3: Support to policy development and cooperation, which includes support for the preparation and implementation of the European Union’s general and sectoral policy agendas relating to education and training.

For further information on mobility and international cooperation under the Erasmus+ Programme, please consult the websites of the respective agencies.

The Euroguidance Network is a European network of national resource and information centres that aims to develop the European dimension of lifelong guidance, supporting the improvement of guidance practices across Europe and promoting mobility for learning and career purposes. All Euroguidance centres work together to share high-quality information on learning opportunities, education systems, training, qualifications and international mobility, as well as to disseminate good practices, working methods and useful tools for guidance professionals and for citizens interested in studying or working in other European countries