Lisbon, May 5, 2026 (Lusa) – The government will strengthen the internationalisation of Portuguese literature through an "unprecedented" support line for translating excerpts, with a budget of €30,000, and a new publishing support line worth €50,000.
The Line of Support for the Translation of Literary Work Excerpts aims to stimulate international promotion of Portuguese authors by translating excerpts from their work. Meanwhile, the Line of Support for Publishing in Portugal assists with the publication of print and digital works by national authors, offering funding for up to 50% of production costs, with a limit of €5,000 per work.
The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Margarida Balseiro Lopes, announced these measures on Tuesday at the National Library in Lisbon. The Directorate-General for Books, Archives and Libraries (DGLAB) will execute the plan. The announcement took place during a session celebrating the 500th anniversary of Luís de Camões' birth. The event featured the opening of two exhibitions dedicated to the poet's life and work.
She said that the first measure, the annual support line for translating excerpts, is "unprecedented in Portugal." This support targets national and foreign entities, including publishers, literary agents, and professional literary translators, to encourage the purchase of rights and the publication of translations.
"Supporting the editorial choices of various sector professionals by translating excerpts of a Portuguese work into several languages broadens its reach in other countries," she said, adding that this new line increases the international scope and representation of Portuguese literature.
At the same time, the Ministry announced the Line of Support for Publishing in Portugal. This initiative focuses on publishing print and digital works by national authors, specifically targeting areas with lower commercial viability, thereby supporting independent bookstores.
The support provides a non-refundable grant covering up to 50% of publishing costs, with a maximum limit of €5,000 per work.
This second line of funding aims to guarantee access to culture, promote cultural diversity, and preserve collective memory. It continues the support for creation previously developed through literary creation grants.
"In areas such as new authors, poetry, essays, or literary heritage, the state must intervene to stimulate the publication of works whose viability is otherwise compromised by market logic," she said.
Furthermore, she said, "since these works with lower commercial potential constitute the main collection of independent bookstores, supporting their publication is a way of supporting the sector."
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