Mobility takes place through bilateral cooperation, partnerships or twinning between schools in Portugal and non-EU countries, as well as via EU education and training programmes, such as Erasmus+. 

In this area, the Agency for the Management of the Education System (AGSE, I.P.) is only involved in authorising the mobility of staff.

The Erasmus+ Programme is the European Union’s initiative dedicated to supporting education, training, youth and sport. Its main objective is to promote skills development, social inclusion and the active participation of citizens by offering opportunities for mobility and international cooperation. Through funded projects, the programme seeks to enhance quality and innovation in the education and training systems of Member States and partner countries.

One of the key features of Erasmus+ is mobility. Pupils, teachers, staff and young people can undertake periods of study, work placements, training or volunteering in another country, contributing to their academic, professional and personal development. These international experiences foster foreign language proficiency, intercultural understanding and the ability to adapt to diverse contexts — skills that are increasingly valued in a global labour market. Participants in school education can only undertake mobility to countries participating in the Erasmus+ Programme, but those in the vocational education and training sector can also undertake international mobility.
Another key component of the programme is support for partnerships and institutional cooperation, which enables schools, universities, training centres, associations and public bodies to develop joint projects. These initiatives promote pedagogical innovation, the sharing of good practices and organisational modernisation. With a strong commitment to inclusion, sustainability and the digital transition, Erasmus+ remains a strategic tool for the growth and modernisation of European education.

In the school education and vocational education and training (VET) sectors, national participation in Erasmus+ activities is ensured by schools and other organisations active in the respective sectors, whether public or private.

eTwinning is also worth noting, which in Portugal is managed by the Institute for Education, Quality and Evaluation (EduQA, I.P.). It's an online space for teachers and school staff to create collaborative  networks among European schools by developing virtual national and international projects using the Internet and information and communication technologies (ICT). The eTwinning projects are an excellent opportunity to promote inclusive education (Decree-Law No 54/2018, 6 July), meeting the different needs and potential of each student through greater participation in the learning processes and in the educational community, in the framework of the National Strategy of Education for Citizenship.

Pupil and student mobility

Teacher Mobility

The mobility of education and training staff within the European area is regarded as a key measure for internationalisation within the context of European education and training programmes. The Erasmus+ Programme has retained this type of mobility for the training of education and training staff across all sectors through Key Action 1: Learning Mobility of Individuals. With regard to Key Action 2: Cooperation between organisations and institutions, activities may include the participation of professionals in transnational events linked to projects or teaching, learning and training activities, although this is not the primary objective. 

As part of Erasmus+ Programme, Key Action 1: Learning Mobility of Individuals, the mobility of teachers, trainers or other staff can involve three types of eligible activities in another European country: participation in structured courses or other training events, job shadowing or training assignments. 
The duration of the staff mobility in school education can vary, depending on the format.

Apart from these, beneficiary institutions may organise other activities, such as the opportunty to invite experts and hosting teachers and educators in training. Recent graduates or higher education students of study areas linked to education and training can participate in the programme via mobility for initial teacher training in schools in other European countries.

In addition to funding mobility, this initiative aims to support the professional development of teaching staff, enhance the international outlook of schools and institutions, and contribute to improving the quality of education. 

As a result of these mobilities for training, teachers and educators can find a virtual extension of the partnerships they have established through the eTwinning platform and have the opportunity to share active methodologies that contribute to the development of the principles, values and competence areas featured in the Exit Profile of Students Finishing Compulsory Education.

Projects last between 12 and 24 months, depending on the needs of the applicant organisation. This timeframe also allows schools to aim to become a benchmark by obtaining the eTwinning School Label, which recognises educational establishments where eTwinning has made a contribution.

Mobility and participation in activities are recognised/validated by means of a participation certificate issued by the host organisations or partners. 
Teachers and trainers can also submit the participation certificate and the program (content/hours spent in the training attended) to be assessed by the Scientific-Pedagogical Council of Continuing Professional Training (CCPFC), which may accredit such training, provided that it fits the provisions for the continuing professional development of teachers. Courses attended through eTwinning are accredited by the EduQA, I.P.