About this expo
QUALIFICA - Feira de Educacao, Formacao e Juventude is a prominent Portuguese national event focusing on education, training, and youth development. The 2027 edition will take place from March 3 to March 6, daily from 10:00 to 18:00, at Exponor in Porto, Portugal. Recognized as the largest event of its kind in northern Portugal, it serves as a crucial platform for addressing national challenges such as higher education dropout rates and the mismatch between educational offerings and market demands, as highlighted by the organizer.
The fair brings together a wide array of participants, including secondary and higher education institutions, vocational schools, training centers, companies with young talent programs, and international mobility projects. Visitors range from students (9th to 12th year and higher education), young people in academic or professional transition, parents, teachers, and career advisers, to companies recruiting young talent. On-site content features an active experimentation area, direct access to national and international institutions, workshops, talks, live demonstrations, and vocational guidance sessions tailored for various visitor profiles.
Organized by EXPONOR - Feira Internacional do Porto, QUALIFICA has a significant historical impact, having guided the academic choices of over 500,000 students out of a total of 550,000 visitors across its history. Satisfaction surveys from the 2025 edition showed 93 percent of exhibitors rated the fair as very or highly important, with 97 percent intending to exhibit again, and 94 percent of visitors identifying it as an essential vocational guidance opportunity.
Highlights
5 items- Held annually at Exponor, Porto, Portugal
- AUMA listed
- Over 45,000 student visitors (2026)
- Over 2,600 total exhibitors historically
- Features concurrent programs like Education Summit and Educar para o Trabalho
FAQ
5 questionsWhen and where does QUALIFICA 2027 take place?+
QUALIFICA 2027 will be held from March 3 to March 6, 2027, daily from 10:00 to 18:00, at Exponor - Feira Internacional do Porto in Leca da Palmeira, Matosinhos, in the Porto metropolitan area, Portugal.
Who organizes QUALIFICA?+
QUALIFICA is organized by EXPONOR - Feira Internacional do Porto, the Porto international trade fair operator. EXPONOR operates under AEP - Associacao Empresarial de Portugal.
What industries and products are covered at QUALIFICA?+
QUALIFICA covers education, training, and youth pathways. This includes secondary and higher education institutions, vocational and technical schools, training centers, companies with young talent programs, international mobility projects, and public, youth, and cultural bodies. The program spans technical and university courses, exchange programs, gap year options, and practical training.
How can I attend or exhibit at QUALIFICA?+
Visitors can attend by registering online or purchasing tickets at the check-in desk. School groups should book study visits through the dedicated schools channel on the official website. Exhibitors can submit stand inquiries via the 'Quero Expor' form on the official website.
What are the practical participation details for QUALIFICA?+
Admission (2026 pricing) is free for young people up to 17 years of age with prior registration. Adults aged 18 and over pay 7 euros when booked online or 15 euros at the check-in. Payment is accepted by Multibanco card (Visa or Mastercard) or MBWAY; cash is not accepted. Travel discounts are available with FlixBus, and the venue is served by STCP bus routes. Accommodation discounts are offered at Noma Living Apart-Hotel using the code EXPONOR26.