Portugal & Spain Scholarships 2027: Camões CPLP Grants, 45% Tuition Cuts & MAEC-AECID

Quick Overview

Feature	Details
Full name	Camões Institute study grants (Portugal) + MAEC-AECID scholarships (Spain)
Funded by	Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Camões) · Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID)
Coverage	Portugal: tuition waivers & fee reductions up to 45% for CPLP nationals, plus Camões grants for developing-country students · Spain: monthly stipend + health insurance
Key deadlines	Portugal: varies by embassy (typically spring/summer) · Spain MAEC-AECID 2027-28: expected May–Jul 2027
Who it’s for	CPLP/PALOP citizens (Portugal) · public-sector staff from Latin America, Africa, Asia & Middle East (Spain)

Portugal and Spain remain under-covered in most scholarship roundups, yet both countries fund international study through real government programs. Portugal’s Camões Institute supports students from developing countries — especially the eight CPLP nations — while Spain’s MAEC-AECID scholarships (the 2026-27 calls closed in July 2026) return each spring. This guide lays out both systems for the 2027 cycle.

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What Does It Cover? (Benefits Table)

Program	Coverage	Level	Who
Camões Institute study grants (Portugal)	Tuition + living support for citizens of developing countries (esp. CPLP/PALOP)	Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD	Nationals of developing countries, especially Portuguese-speaking
CPLP tuition reductions (Portuguese universities)	Up to 45% reduction of international-student tuition	All levels	Nationals of the 8 CPLP countries
U.Porto international admissions	Tuition €3,500–€16,500/yr (international status) before reductions	Bachelor’s, integrated Master’s	All non-EU internationals
Portuguese state study grant (DGES)	Means-tested grant for enrolled students	Bachelor’s, Master’s	Students enrolled in Portuguese HEIs (incl. long-term residents)
MAEC-AECID África-Med Máster (Spain)	Monthly stipend + health insurance in Spain	Official Master’s (≤60 ECTS)	Civil servants from Africa & Middle East countries
MAEC-AECID Escuela Diplomática (Spain)	Monthly stipend + health & accident insurance	Master in Diplomacy & International Relations	Public-sector staff from Latin America, Africa, Asia

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Eligibility (✅/❌ Checklist)

✅ Portugal — You Must:

• Camões grants: Be a citizen of a developing country, with priority to CPLP/PALOP nations (Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, Timor-Leste)

• Apply through the Camões delegation or Portuguese embassy in your home country (not directly to the institute)

• CPLP tuition reduction: Hold CPLP nationality and enroll as an international-status student at a Portuguese university (e.g., University of Porto) — you receive up to 45% off the annual fee automatically

• State grant (DGES): Be enrolled/registered in a Portuguese higher education institution

✅ Spain — You Must:

• África-Med Máster: Be a permanent (non-temporary) public employee — including education/university staff — from an eligible African or Middle Eastern country (Angola, Algeria, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Palestine, DR Congo, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zimbabwe)

• Escuela Diplomática: Be a public official or public-system staff member from a Latin American, African or Asian country

• Hold master’s admission for the relevant academic year at the time of application

• Have authorization from your employer for the study stay abroad

❌ Not Eligible If:

• You are a general (non-employee) student applying to MAEC-AECID — these programs target public-sector professionals

• You are applying to Camões directly from outside your home country’s Camões/embassy channel

• Your CPLP-country tuition reduction: not applicable to EU-status students (the reduction targets the international-student fee)

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How to Apply: Step by Step

Step 1 (Portugal): Route through your embassy

1. Check the Camões Institute page (instituto-camoes.pt) for the current application form (undergraduate or graduate)

2. Submit it to the Camões delegation / Portuguese embassy in your country — they validate and forward applications

3. Deadlines vary by country — usually spring/summer for the following academic year; ask your embassy in early 2027

Step 2 (Portugal): Apply for university admission

1. Portuguese universities run international-student calls in phases (U.Porto 2026-27 pattern: Jan–Feb, Feb–Apr, Jun–Jul)

2. CPLP nationals: the up-to-45% fee reduction applies automatically on enrollment with international status

3. After enrollment, apply for the DGES state grant between June 25 – September 30 (or within 20 working days of enrolment; prorated applications Oct 1 – May 31)

Step 3 (Spain): Watch the BOE for the 2027-28 calls

1. MAEC-AECID calls are published in Spain’s official gazette (BOE) — 2026-27 timing: Escuela Diplomática May 21 – Jun 3, 2026; África-Med Máster Jul 2 – 15, 2026

2. For the 2027-28 cycle expect similar windows in May–July 2027 (verify on aecid.es and the AECID electronic registry)

3. Prepare: master’s admission letter, employer authorization, and the AECID online application

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Insider Tips

1. CPLP nationality is your biggest Portuguese asset

The 45% tuition reduction applies at major universities like U.Porto and is automatic for CPLP nationals on international status. Combined with a Camões grant, this is one of the cheapest fully supported routes into a European degree.

2. Portugal’s university calls have three phases — use the early one

U.Porto’s international applications ran in three phases (Jan-Feb, Feb-Apr, Jun-Jul) for 2026-27. The first phase has the best odds for competitive programs. Begin university applications right after the new year.

3. MAEC-AECID is a professional-development program, not a student grant

The Spanish calls explicitly target civil servants and public-sector staff with employer authorization. If you’re a regular student, skip these and target university-specific scholarships instead — but if you work in government, these are exceptionally generous (monthly stipend + full insurance in Spain).

4. The 30-grant África-Med program is the headline act

The 2026-27 call awarded up to 30 grants for official Master’s programs (≤60 ECTS) running September–July, for African/Middle Eastern civil servants. The 2027-28 edition is expected to follow the same shape.

5. Apply for the DGES state grant even if you think you won’t qualify

The Portuguese state grant is means-tested and open to enrolled international students (including those with long-term residence status). It’s a separate pot from the Camões program — apply for both.

6. Language matters more than you’d think

Portuguese programs are largely taught in Portuguese; Spain’s official master’s programs are in Spanish. A B2 certificate in the target language (or a strong plan to reach it) significantly strengthens your application.

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Frequently Asked Questions

I’m not from a CPLP country — can I still study cheaply in Portugal?

Yes. International-status tuition at U.Porto runs €3,500–€16,500/year — far below many Western European countries — and Camões grants are open to citizens of developing countries generally, with CPLP/PALOP priority.

When do MAEC-AECID applications open for 2027-28?

The 2026-27 calls ran May–July 2026 and closed. Expect the 2027-28 calls in May–July 2027; follow aecid.es and the BOE.

Can a private-sector worker apply for MAEC-AECID?

The calls specify permanent public employees (including education and university staff). Private-sector applicants are generally not eligible — check each call’s bases.

Do Portuguese universities teach in English?

Increasingly — especially at Master’s level in engineering, business and health. But for the cheapest routes (Camões + CPLP reduction), Portuguese-language proficiency is a big advantage.

Where do I find the Camões application form?

On the Camões Institute website under “Learn Portuguese → Grants → PALOP/PLOP citizens.” Submit it through your home country’s Camões delegation or Portuguese embassy.

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Timeline Table

Date	Action
Jan 2027	Portuguese university international call — Phase 1 (U.Porto pattern)
Feb–Apr 2027	Phase 2 + Phase 3 calls (Portugal)
Spring 2027	Ask your embassy about Camões grant deadlines
May–Jul 2027	⚠️ MAEC-AECID 2027-28 calls expected (watch BOE/aecid.es)
Jun 25 – Sep 30, 2027	DGES state grant window for enrolled students
Sep 2027	Academic year starts in Portugal and Spain

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Your Action Plan

1. This month: Confirm whether you qualify for CPLP tuition reductions; shortlist Portuguese programs

2. Dec 2026: Prepare documents for Portugal’s Phase 1 international call (Jan)

3. Early 2027: Contact your local Portuguese embassy about Camões grants

4. May–Jul 2027: If you’re a public employee, apply to MAEC-AECID when the 2027-28 calls open

5. After enrolment: File the DGES state grant (Jun 25 – Sep 30)

6. Bookmark: instituto-camoes.pt, aecid.es, studyportugal.pt

Southern Europe has more to offer — compare with the Italian Government Scholarships 2027 (MAECI) and the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship France 2027-28. For the full-year picture, check the Scholarship Calendar 2026-2027.

Share this with a CPLP student or a public-sector professional eyeing Europe — Iberia is more affordable than you think.