ICEX, Spain's trade and investment agency, has opened the 2026 call of ICEX Next, its programme to help Spanish SMEs start exporting or grow their international sales. It covers 60% of eligible costs, up to €24,000 per company, and includes advice from ICEX-approved consultants for 24 months. Applications close on 30 October 2026 at 14:00 (Spanish time).
Here is a summary of the official call: who can apply, which costs it covers, how applications are scored and which documents you need.
ICEX Next 2026 key dates
- Call: ICEX Resolution of 8 October 2026, with a summary published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on 10 October 2026.
- Applications: from 11 October until 30 October 2026 at 14:00.
- Single, competitive procedure: there is no reserve list, so your application needs to be complete and well argued first time.
- Budget: €3.6 million, which may be increased by up to €1.8 million.
- Programme length: 24 months from signing the letter of adhesion.
What is ICEX Next and what does it offer?
ICEX Next combines one-to-one advice from ICEX-approved expert consultants with funding for the costs of entering new markets. Preparing or reviewing an international business strategy plan with the ICEX Next consultants is mandatory and is expected to take at least 30 hours of advice. Companies also join the ICEX Next Club and have an ICEX account manager during the programme.
Which costs does it cover?
The grant is 60% of eligible costs, up to €24,000 per company. ICEX sets a maximum eligible budget of €40,000 (€24,000 of aid and €16,000 contributed by the company). Eligible costs are:
- Personalised advice from ICEX Next consultants: international strategy, digital operating plan and other competitiveness topics.
- Market research and prospecting in international markets, online and offline.
- International promotion: trade fairs, promotional material, advertising, digital marketing, prospecting and promotion trips, and international patent and trademark registration.
- Building a sales network abroad: product registration, approvals and certification, legal and financial advice in the target market and commercial support services (sales commissions are not covered).
- Technology solutions to manage promotion and customer follow-up or digitalise international operations.
- In-house staff working on the project, calculated as a flat 20% of the costs above.
Costs count from the signing of the letter of adhesion and throughout the 24 months, and are justified in stages with invoices, proof of payment and evidence. The grant falls under the EU de minimis rules.
Who can apply for ICEX Next?
- Spanish SMEs (associations and foundations are excluded) that are not subsidiaries of a foreign company.
- Companies with their own product or service and own brand; services must be delivered abroad.
- Turnover above €300,000 (recently founded tech start-ups are exempt).
- At least one employee responsible for the international project and a company website.
- No previous participation in PIPE or ICEX Next (except companies that took part between 1997 and 2012 and turn over more than €1.5 million).
- No debts with ICEX and up to date with tax and social security obligations.
You can apply whether or not you already export: the call accepts companies with any share of international sales and focuses on those that want to consolidate or grow abroad.
How are applications scored?
A committee scores four criteria from 0 to 2: business model competitiveness, management team, financial capacity (at least 1 point required) and track record. An ICEX Next consultant also meets the company and reports on its international potential, also scored from 0 to 2 (minimum 1 point). Companies need at least 5 points out of 10 to qualify.
Documents and steps to apply
- Register in the ICEX Next private area and complete the application form with your financial data and growth project.
- Attach a named organisation chart, the financial statements for the last three years and forecasts for this year and the next two.
- Digitally sign the responsible declarations as the company's legal representative.
- Be available to meet the ICEX Next consultant during the assessment.
Full information and official documents are on the ICEX Next website (in Spanish).
How Vycte helps
At Vycte we have an ICEX-approved consultant, Luis Sanz Loriente, with more than 30 years helping companies grow internationally. We can help you check whether you qualify, prepare a strong application, work on the international business strategy plan and then carry out and justify the programme's costs. See how we handle export grants and our outsourced export department.
We encourage you to apply for ICEX Next: it is one of the best ways to take the international leap with a clear method. If you have any questions about the programme, contact us or book a free 30-minute call and we will answer them. Don't leave it to the last day: the call closes on 30 October at 14:00.
Frequently asked questions
When is the ICEX Next 2026 deadline? 30 October 2026 at 14:00. It is a single procedure with no reserve list.
How much funding does ICEX Next provide? 60% of eligible costs, up to €24,000 per company over 24 months. The amount may be reduced if you have already received other de minimis aid.
Can I apply if I don't export yet? Yes. Any share of international sales is accepted, as long as you meet the other requirements, such as turnover above €300,000 (except tech start-ups) and no previous participation in PIPE or ICEX Next.
Who advises me during the programme? ICEX-approved consultants. The international business strategy plan is mandatory and needs around 30 hours of advice as a minimum.
