How to Fund Your Team's AI Training with the IEFP Cheque Formação + Digital

Find out how your SME can use the IEFP's grant of up to €750 to train your employees in Artificial Intelligence and automation before the June 2026 deadline.

A practical guide for Portuguese SMEs to leverage the €750 IEFP grant and prepare their employees for the Artificial Intelligence era.

The adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Portuguese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is no longer a question of "if," but "when." However, technology alone does not solve problems. The real challenge many business owners face is not choosing the right tool, but empowering their team to use it effectively.

The good news is that the Portuguese government, through the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP), provides direct financial support that can fully cover the costs of this training: the Cheque-Formação + Digital (Digital Training Voucher). This grant offers up to €750 per worker, per year, for training in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, automation, and data analysis.

In this practical guide, we explain how your SME can take advantage of this incentive to train your team in AI and automation tools, turning a human resources challenge into a true competitive advantage.

What is the Cheque-Formação + Digital?

Integrated into the Emprego + Digital 2025 Program and funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), the Cheque-Formação + Digital is a direct support measure aimed at encouraging the development of digital skills . Unlike other European funds that require complex applications and large-scale projects, this instrument was designed to be agile and accessible.

The program grants a maximum value of €750 per worker, per year, to pay for certified professional training . It operates on a reimbursement model: the worker (or the company) pays for the training, applies for the support, successfully completes the course, and then receives the reimbursement.

For SMEs looking to implement Artificial Intelligence solutions, this support represents a unique opportunity to fund their employees' learning curve without compromising the company's cash flow.

Who can benefit from this support?

The great advantage of the Cheque-Formação + Digital is its broad scope. The support is intended for practically any active professional, regardless of the nature of their employment relationship .

Beneficiary Profile

• Employees (Private Sector)
• Independent Workers (Freelancers)
• Sole Proprietors
• Partners of Single-Member Companies
• Public Sector Employees

This means that both your company's employees and the managing partners themselves can apply for the support to develop their skills in Artificial Intelligence and process automation. In an SME with five employees, the total potential support reaches €3,750 per year, a significant investment in digital empowerment, fully funded by the State.

What type of AI training is eligible?

The program funds training aimed at developing digital skills. In the current context, courses focused on Artificial Intelligence, automation, and data analysis are among the most sought after and perfectly aligned with the measure's objectives.

For the training to be eligible and the reimbursement guaranteed, it is essential that it is provided by a Training Entity Certified by DGERT (Directorate-General for Employment and Labor Relations) . The training can be conducted in-person, blended, or fully remote, offering the necessary flexibility so as not to interrupt your SME's normal operations.

• Examples of AI training that fit the program:
• Introduction to Generative AI for Business
• How to use AI agents in customer service
• Administrative process automation with no-code tools
• AI-assisted data analysis for decision making
• Cybersecurity and data protection in AI environments

How the application process works: 5 Steps

The application process for the Cheque Formação + Digital operates on an open regime but requires strict compliance with a few steps.

Step 1 — Choose the Training and EntityIdentify your team's AI training needs and select a course provided by a DGERT-certified entity. Ensure that the course content falls within the digital areas eligible for the program.

Step 2 — Registration and PaymentThe employee (or the company on their behalf) must register for the course and pay for the training. Attention: the Cheque-Formação works on a reimbursement model — you must pay first to receive the support later.

Step 3 — Submit the Application on the IEFP PortalThe application is submitted electronically through the iefponline portal. You will need to attach documentation including: proof of IBAN, declarations of no debt to Social Security and the Tax Authority, a Declaration of Honor (Annex 1), a Descriptive Memorandum of the training (Annex 2), and training action documents provided by the training entity.

Step 4 — Attendance and Completion of TrainingAfter the application is approved and the Acceptance Term is signed, the employee must attend the course and complete it successfully. The completion is registered on the SIGO platform, which issues the qualifications certificate.

Step 5 — Request for Closure and ReimbursementWith the certificate issued, the applicant requests the closure of the application on the IEFP portal and receives the reimbursement of the approved amount, up to a maximum of €750.

Deadlines and support renewal

It is important to note that the program has a limited budget allocation and a defined execution period. Currently, training actions must be completed by June 30, 2026. Those who have not yet applied should act quickly.

A frequently overlooked strategic detail: the €750 limit is annual. This means that an employee who has already benefited from the support can submit a new application after 12 months have passed since the approval of the first one . For SMEs, this allows designing continuous AI training paths over several years, funded by the State.

AI requires technology, but depends on people

Implementing a voice agent for customer service or automating email triage with AI are relatively simple technological steps. The real challenge of digital transformation in Portuguese SMEs is cultural and human.

When employees understand how Artificial Intelligence works and how it can free them from repetitive tasks, resistance to change turns into enthusiastic adoption. The Cheque Formação + Digital eliminates the financial barrier to this empowerment, and the June 2026 deadline makes this the right time to act.

At TecLab, we know that the success of our AI projects depends on the teams that will use them daily. If your SME is ready to take the next step in intelligent automation, talk to us. We help identify the best AI opportunities for your business and can guide you on how to empower your team for this new reality.