Student mobility

The Portuguese government policy promotes student mobility as a major opportunity. As such, it aims to offer most students access to at least a short period of mobility, not only for the experience and chance to benefit from a different education system, but also for the soft skills that can be acquired. For this reason, there has been a conscious effort to remove obstacles to mobility, invest in the modernisation and internationalisation of higher education institutions (HEIs), consolidate the implementation of the Bologna Process and develop quality assurance through a system of evaluation and accreditation. Given this priority, various programs and initiatives have been implemented and promoted, both nationally and internationally.

Regarding the obstacles to student mobility, one of the difficulties is economic. Therefore, the State supports disadvantaged students on vocational and technical higher education courses and in first and second cycles, to help pay for tuition, housing, meals, books, etc. These 'social grants' are transferable and exist for both public and private HEIs. 

Despatch No 10973-D/2014 (2nd series), 27 August, created a mobility supplement for scholarship students who are beneficiaries of the Erasmus+ programme. This measure’s main objective is to facilitate access to the programme, and specifically to assist mobility in higher education for study/traineeship or placements for students who find participation difficult for economic reasons. 

In the third cycle and at post-doctoral level, a significant percentage of scholarships are given to students enrolled in foreign universities or joint research programmes, including through scientific research grants and other grants awarded by the Science and Technology Foundation.

In addition to exchange programmes and cooperation agreements, students can also take advantage of autonomous mobility, insofar as Portuguese HEIs have adopted the Bologna process. 

Student and staff mobility has also been facilitated with the revision of national legislation on foreign higher education degree and diploma recognition (Decree-Law No 66/2018, 16 August). This procedure, which is unexpensive and completed within a maximum of 30 days, uses a simplified recognition mechanism, based on the principle of mutual trust that should replace the equivalence procedure based on the scientific re-evaluation of the work done. 

A committee of specialists analyses foreign higher education systems, assessing their comparability with national degrees, deliberates and recognises the degrees that are part of a growing list that currently includes 27 EU countries, 5 other countries that signed the Bologna Declaration, as well as Brazil, the USA, Canada and Macau.
This type of recognition also includes a simplified mechanism for converting final grades for most of these countries. This system removes many of the obstacles, bureaucratic hurdles and delays to the free movement of graduates who wish to work or study in Portugal.
The Institute for Higher Education, I.P. (IES, I.P.), which absorbed the previously Directorate General of Higher Education (DGES), is the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation (MECI)’s core service that deals with all issues related to international cooperation, mobility and recognition in higher education, promoting and supporting its internationalisation.

Participation in EU programmes - Erasmus+ Programme

In the Erasmus+ programme, student mobility for studies and/or traineeships, during the study period and one year after the completion of a degree, are included in Key Action 1: Learning Mobility for Individuals. This aims to develop competences, broaden understanding on practices and policies in different countries, enhance learning quality, encourage modernisation and internationalisation of the HEIs involved, promote the mobility of students, teachers and other staff working in HEIs.

With Erasmus+ 2021-2027, any study or internship period abroad (including mobility of doctorate students) can take the form of blended mobility, i.e. combining physical mobility with a virtual component. 

The Erasmus+ Programme has become the main source of funding for transnational mobility of students, teachers and academic staff, relevant in the context of the internationalisation of HEIs.

Participation by HEIs in the Erasmus+ Programme requires approval, by the European Commissio,n of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education - ECHE. Applications for ECHE accreditation are submitted annually, with the aim of covering an ever-increasing number of higher education institutions across Europe.

In Portugal, around 90 HEIs participate in Erasmus+ every year, having been approved under the ECHE at the start of the 2021–2027 programme. 
Students with fewer opportunities and less likely to participate in Erasmus+ mobility schemes for financial reasons – whether due to their economic situation or higher participation costs arising from their specific circumstances, as is the case for students with disabilities – can be assured of financial support measures and possible adjustments to national grants to facilitate their inclusion.

Student mobility for studies (SMS), which is implemented by HEIs, promotes student exchanges within Europe or to third countries, notably via International Credit Mobility (ICM), enabling mobility for study purposes at a partner HEI for a minimum duration of 2 months and a maximum period of 12 months. This specifically meets the programme’s aim to support the creation of a European Higher Education Area and seeks to:

• contribute to the development of quality lifelong learning and the opportunities it affords;
• consolidate personal fulfilment, social cohesion, active citizenship and European citizenship;
• promote creativity, competitiveness and employability;
• increase participation in lifelong learning;
• promote learning and linguistic diversity;
• explore the results, innovative processes and products.

The student mobility for traineeships involves student exchange in the European area or to third countries via International Credit Mobility for periods between two to 12 months, for work placements. This aims to:

• help students adapt to the demands of the EU labour market.
• allow students to develop competences, like learning a new language and improve knowledge about the economic, social and cultural situation of a country while acquiring work experience.
• promote cooperation between HEIs and enterprises.
• contribute to the development of a group of future, international-class professionals who are well-qualified, experienced and open-minded.

Traineeship mobility also includes new graduates (up to 12 months after completing their degree). The application has to be undertaken via the student’s regular HEI during the last graduation year.

The Erasmus+ cycle (2021-2027) makes it possible for students to enjoy up to 12 months of mobility per study cycle, combining mobility for studies and traineeships up to one year after course completion. There is no limit to the number of times students can undertake the same type of mobility, provided that the established minimum number of months is respected (at least two months mobility for studies or placements/traineeships).

IHEIs can participate in the programme individually and/or within a national consortium, thus achieving better cooperation between HEIs and businesses, while improving employability amongst higher education graduates.

The Erasmus Consortia (of HEIs) include all types of mobility (studies, work placements, teaching assignments and teaching and non-teaching staff training).

Authorities responsible for organising and coordinating

HEIs must manage Erasmus+ projects and grants allocated to them annually (via application) and, in addition to academic and institutional responsibilities, they oversee candidate selection, the organisation and completion of application processes, the transfer of funds to students, monitoring mobility, as well as information and dissemination activities. The HEIs performance in these areas is reported to National Agency, which manages and supervises the programme at national level.

Validation and recognition

Key Action 1 allows students of Portuguese HEIs to take advantage of an integrated period of study or work placement abroad, without any academic obstacle to their return regarding the validation or recognition of study periods abroad. Responsibility for recognition through the ECTS in the case of SMS, or by other means in the case of SMT, is the responsibility of the HEIs involved.

Validation and recognition of mobility periods for learning (formal or non-formal) necessarily involved transparency as a pre-requisite for obtaining qualifications within the European space, emphasising experience and learning in the context of mobility. 

Certification of periods of study and/or internship are important in relation to mobility processes. The Erasmus+ 2021-2027 cycle maintains the principle, ensuring the recognition of mobility periods by attributing several previously defined ECTS for studies or traineeships, by all parties in the "Learning Agreement" or "Traineeship Agreement”, and the record of mobility knowledge “Transcript of Records” and competences via Europass Mobility and Diploma Supplement, in the case of extracurricular traineeships or post-graduate courses.

Erasmus Mundus joint master's degrees

Portugal participates in the Erasmus Mundus Actions since its implementation through joint actions and legislation regulating joint degrees (Decree Law No 67/2005, 25 March, and Decree Law No 74/2006, 24 March, amended by Decree-Laws No 107/2008, 25 June, No 230/2009, 14 September, and No 115/2013, 7 August).

The Erasmus Mundus Actions promote mobility and cooperation with countries outside Europe and their main objectives are:
1.    To establish joint master’s programmes of excellence;
2.    To strengthen international cooperation between HEIs;
3.    To attract global talent through competitive grants;
4.    To enhance the global visibility of European higher education;
5.    To ensure high-quality international mobility pathways.

European universities initiative

The European University Alliances improve the quality, international competitiveness and attractiveness of European higher education and are, above all, a key element in achieving the European Education Area. By the end of 2024, the initiative boasted 65 alliances with over 570 European HEIs involved and an average of nine partners per alliance, with 29 Portuguese HEIs participating in 27 alliances. Four alliances are co-ordinated by national HEIs.

Under the European Commission’s new funding framework, an investment scheme for alliances of European universities beyond 2028–2029 is currently under discussion.

The initiative is part of the European Commission's vision, presented in 2017 regarding the press release "Towards a European Education Area by 2025: promoting European identity through education and culture", an opportunity taken by the leaders of EU member states to discuss how to promote European cooperation in the areas of education and culture.

Member State support for the initiative was reiterated in the 2021 Council Resolution on the “strategic framework for European co-operation in education and training towards the European Education Area and beyond (2021-2030)”. The concept was also confirmed by EU Member States’ higher education ministers in the 2021 Council conclusions on the European universities initiative - Building bridges between higher education, research, innovation and society: paving the way for a new dimension in European higher education. 

For more information on the European Universities Alliances, see the EC - European Education Area website and the report on the results and transformative potential of the European Universities initiative.

National programmes

The Camões - Institute for Cooperation and Language, IP, (Camões, I.P.), which is overseen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is the national body responsible for implementing external cultural and educational policies, promoting Portuguese culture and language abroad, especially at higher education level. Camões, I.P. awards scholarships for students and researchers of third countries with the goal of supporting the study and research of the Portuguese language and culture, scientific and professional training in the area of Portuguese as a foreign language and training in the field of translation. Camões, I.P. also provides scholarships for summer courses, annual courses, and research scholarships. Camões, I.P. carries out a range of activities and initiatives as follows:

• Scholarships awarded for summer courses, for a period of one month, non-renewable, in Portuguese language and culture. These are taught in Portuguese universities, or other institutions recognised by Camões, I.P., and are intended for both foreign and Portuguese students who reside abroad and wish to improve their linguistic competences. Applications must be proposed by the respective teachers of Portuguese, in the context of protocols of cooperation signed with Camões, I.P., which stipulates the number of scholarships available.
• Scholarships awarded under the programme for attendance of annual courses, for a period of 8 months, non-renewable, in Portuguese language and culture, taught in Portuguese HEIs or institutions recognised by Camões, I.P., are intended for both foreign and Portuguese students residing abroad and wishing to improve their linguistic competences.
• Fernão Mendes Pinto Programme scholarships are awarded for a maximum period of 12 months and are renewable. They are aimed at foreign and Portuguese final-year graduate or undergraduate students who are involved in scientific or professional training projects in the field of Portuguese as a foreign language. This is done via the Camões IP Centres of Portuguese Language, Camões lectureships in foreign HEIs and institutions with protocols with Camões, I.P.
• Vieira Programme scholarships are awarded for a variable period and may be renewed. They are intended for both Portuguese and foreign graduates residing abroad and involved in training and/or improvement projects in the fields of translation and conference interpreting.
• Scholarships awarded via the protocol with the Fulbright Commission include two types of programmes: Programme A designed for Portuguese PhD holders and teachers/researchers who wish to pursue academic activities at North American universities for a period between three to 12 months; Programme B aimed at American students (master’s or PhD) who wish to pursue their studies at a Portuguese university, for a period of eight months.

Given the historical and cultural links with China, in 1989, the Instituto Português do Oriente (IPOR) was created and established in Macau. It promotes and preserves Portuguese language and culture in Asia. It also disseminates Asian culture to foster intercultural dialogue and encourage East-West relations. The institute awards scholarships for nationals of the Asia and Pacific region to learn Portuguese at summer courses, as well as one-year language courses at one of the Portuguese HEIs.

The Luso-American Development Foundation, (FLAD - Fundação Luso-Americana para o Desenvolvimento) is a Portuguese institution and was founded by Decree-Law No 168/85, 20 May. Its main goal is to contribute towards economic and social development in Portugal by fostering cooperation between Portugal and the United States in the fields of business, education, science, technology and culture. FLAD operates an internationalisation programme in the fields of education and higher education. Further details can be found on its website. 

Other fields of study, such as Military Studies, Police Studies and Law, are covered by special scholarships and programmes. The main objectives of these programmes are: to train young graduates in priority areas for development in their home countries; to give priority to applications for courses not offered at local institutions; and to give priority to scholarships for postgraduate studies.

Distance learning

Distance learning in Portugal has also become a priority to boost the internationalisation of higher education. This issue is important, considering that new forms of learning (e-learning and b-learning) do not rely on more traditional learning systems. It facilitates the virtual mobility of learners and of academics of several countries, making higher education accessible to new groups.

Academic staff mobility

European programmes

Erasmus+: Key Action 1 – Learning Mobility of Individuals

Higher education staff mobility remains relevant over the years in Portugal via Key Action 1- Learning Mobility of Individuals. 

Aimed at academic staff, this Key Action is essential for supporting teachers’ and non-teaching staff’s professional development, as well as improving teaching and learning methods, and is also a lever for HEI’s internationalisation. These activities may consist of teaching or training periods (on-the-job monitoring, observation periods, training courses, etc.). 

Individual grants are awarded by the home institution based on the regulations issued by the European Commission regarding the funding contract. Mobility grants are a contribution to expenses (travel and board) that are incurred during the scholarship for education and/or training of personnel in a foreign country. Financial support measures and possible adjustments of national grants are possible for participants with fewer opportunities and less likely to participate in Erasmus+ mobility for financial reasons, either due to their economic situation or to higher participation costs (ex., people with disabilities).

A period of staff mobility abroad can combine education and training assignments (blended mobility), which can be done by teachers and non-teaching staff and can involve experiences recognised in an academic context. Therefore, it is important to continue to invest in the general recognition of these missions, either as part of curriculum assessment, in the case of teachers, or within the context of performance evaluation, when talking about non-teaching staff.

Erasmus+: Key Action 2 – Cooperation among organisations and institutions

Key Action 2 funds cooperation projects aimed at improving the quality, innovation and internationalisation of higher education institutions (HEIs). It covers various types of projects, all of which focus on partnerships, organisational development, the transfer of innovative practices and lasting systemic impact.

This action is aimed at HEIs (with a valid ECHE) and other partner organisations: businesses, public authorities, associations, research centres, NGOs and international partners. Main types of partnerships in higher education:

• Cooperation partnerships: transnational projects focused on innovation or the exchange of best practices;
• Capacity building in Higher Education: cooperation with third countries not associated with the Programme; a focus on modernising higher education systems, institutional reforms and organisational strengthening;
• Partnerships for Excellence: 

- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters: the establishment of joint master’s programmes of international excellence;

- European Universities initiative: strategic inter-university partnerships that promote integrated European campuses;

• Partnerships for innovation:

- Alliances for innovation: collaboration between higher education institutions, the business sector and research centres (the knowledge triangle); aimed at anticipating skills needs and supporting the digital and green transitions.

National programmes

In recent years, Portugal has invested in and promoted the mobility of academic staff and researchers, not only through European and international programmes, but also through national initiatives and policies, such as contracting PhD holders (Portuguese and foreign) to work in Portuguese HEIs and research centres and the creation of visiting professor posts. 

The National Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), is the main governmental agency for funding research in Portugal, regularly offers several mobility schemes for academic and scientific cooperation that can be viewed on its website. In addition to this mobility, the FCT funds doctoral and traineeship grants in Portugal and abroad, through annual calls for applications.

The Portuguese Council of Rectors (Conselho de Reitores das Universidades Portuguesas - CRUP), also manages several co-operation programmes, called "Ações Integradas" (integrated activities), which are R&D projects geared towards encouraging scientific projects and post-graduation studies involving research teams and teaching staff from partner institutions from France and Germany.

Camões, I.P. also awards scholarships for researchers and teachers, which are regularly announced on their website.

The Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD) offers grants and scholarships for scientific activities in the United States of America, which are announced on their webpage. 

Legal framework

Decree-Law No. 74/2006, 24 March, established the legal framework for academic degrees and diplomas in Portugal (subsequently revised and supplemented by Decree-Law No. 107/2008, 25 June), introducing the necessary regulations for student mobility between national and foreign higher education institutions (HEIs), based on the application of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).
Portuguese HEIs take into account the level of credits and the academic field in which they were obtained, and recognise, within their own degree programmes, the study completed as part of other higher education programmes at foreign HEIs.

It is worth noting that this legislation establishes a legal framework for the creation of dual, multiple or joint degrees and diplomas between national and foreign higher education institutions, which highlights the importance of collaborative projects between institutions. It should also be noted that the creation of double, multiple or joint degrees and diplomas is supported by the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Programmes, which form an integral part of the Erasmus+ Programme and are managed centrally by the European Commission.
The recognition in Portugal of academic degrees and higher education diplomas awarded by foreign HEIs is regulated by Decree-Law No. 66/2018, 16 August. This Decree-Law standardises the procedures for the recognition of foreign qualifications, making them more transparent, fair and straightforward, by introducing changes to previous schemes which result in the clarification of concepts and the extension of the recognition of foreign qualifications to include diplomas from higher education courses that do not confer an academic degree but are of a level, purpose and nature identical to higher vocational technical courses. 
The aforementioned Decree-Law introduces simplified procedures, establishing a system of priorities for the recognition of qualifications, which ensures a more streamlined decision-making process, avoiding duplication, and reducing costs and response times for recognition decisions.
Ordinance No. 33/2019, 25 January, regulates aspects of the procedural process for the recognition of academic degrees and diplomas awarded by foreign higher education institutions, amendeb by Ordinance No. 43/2020, 14 February 2020.
Decree-Law No. 86/2023, 10 October amends the legal framework for the recognition of academic degrees and higher education diplomas awarded by foreign higher education institutions.