3D Printing Portugal: A Complete Guide to Services, Tendances & Ressources

If you’re looking to use 3D printing in Portugal—whether for a business project, hobby, or industrial need—you’ll find a growing, accessible ecosystem. Portugal’s 3D printing sector has expanded rapidly over the past decade, with a mix of local service providers, tech hubs, and academic programs supporting everything from prototyping to large-scale production. À la fin de ce guide, you’ll know where to find services, which industries are leading adoption, and how to tap into the country’s 3D printing resources.

1. The Current State of 3D Printing in Portugal

Portugal’s 3D printing industry is small but dynamic, driven by government support, academic innovation, and private-sector demand. Selon un 2024 report by the Portuguese Association for Industrial Development (APID), the country’s 3D printing market is valued at approximately€45 million and is growing at a12% annual rate—faster than the European average of 9%.

A key driver is the government’s focus on advanced manufacturing. The “Portugal 2030” strategy, a €21 billion EU-funded plan, includes specific grants for small and medium-sized enterprises (PME) to adopt 3D printing. Par exemple, dans 2023, Lisbon-based startupPrintParts PT received a €200,000 grant to upgrade its resin 3D printing facilities, allowing it to serve the medical device industry.

Most activity is concentrated in major cities: Lisbon (the tech hub), Porto (industrial focus), and Coimbra (academic research). Cependant, remote services—like online 3D model submission and nationwide delivery—make 3D printing accessible even in smaller towns.

2. Top 3D Printing Services in Portugal

Whether you need a one-off prototype or mass-produced parts, Portugal has service providers for every need. Below is a curated list of trusted options, organized by specialty:

Exemple du monde réel: A small Porto-based furniture designer, Móveis Eco, used Porto3D Labs to 3D print custom chair joints. Instead of ordering expensive molds (which cost €2,000+), they paid €120 for 50 printed joints—cutting costs by 94% and reducing lead time from 6 des semaines pour 3 jours.

3. 3D Matériaux d'impression & Technologies Available in Portugal

Portugal’s service providers offer a full range of 3D printing technologies and materials, matching global standards. Here’s what you can expect:

Technologies clés

• FDM (Modélisation des dépôts fusionnés): The most common for hobbyists and SMEs. Used for prototypes, articles ménagers, and low-strength parts. Providers like Porto3D Labs use FDM printers from Ultimaker and Prusa.
• Résine (SLA/DLP): Idéal pour les pièces très détaillées (Par exemple, bijoux, modèles dentaires). PrintParts PT uses Formlabs resin printers for medical devices like custom hearing aid shells.
• Impression en métal 3D (SLM / DMLS): Used in aerospace and automotive. Coimbra Additive works with Portuguese auto parts maker Bosch Portugal to print lightweight engine components.

Popular Materials

• PLA: Bon marché, biodégradable, and easy to use (ideal for hobbies). Coût: €20–€30 per kg.
• ABS/PC: Durable, résistant à la chaleur (used for industrial parts). Coût: €35–€50 per kg.
• Résines: High-detail, with options for flexibility or biocompatibility (medical use). Coût: €80–€150 per liter.
• Métaux: Titane, aluminium, et acier inoxydable (aérospatiale/médicale). Coût: €500–€1,200 per kg.

Conseil professionnel: Pour les projets durables, GreenPrint Portugal offers recycled PLA made from local plastic waste. Their material is 10% cheaper than virgin PLA and has a 40% lower carbon footprint.

4. Industries Leading 3D Printing Adoption in Portugal

Three industries stand out for their heavy use of 3D printing in Portugal:

Médical & Soins de santé

Portugal’s healthcare sector is a pioneer in 3D printing. Dans 2022, leUniversity Hospital of Lisbon used 3D printing to create custom surgical guides for spinal surgeries. These guides reduced operation time by 30% and improved patient recovery rates by 25%, according to a study published in thePortuguese Journal of Medicine.

Local companies likeMedPrint PT also produce 3D-printed orthotics (Par exemple, inserts de chaussures) tailored to individual patients. Unlike mass-produced inserts, these cost €80–€120 and last 2–3 years longer.

Aérospatial & Automobile

Portugal is home to aerospace giants likeEmbraer Portugal (a branch of Brazil’s Embraer) and auto suppliers like Bosch Portugal. These companies use 3D printing to make lightweight parts:

• Embraer uses Coimbra Additive to print cabin components, couper le poids de 15% and fuel consumption by 5%.
• Bosch Portugal prints sensor housings for electric vehicles, réduisant les délais de livraison de 4 des semaines pour 5 jours.

Créatif & Conception

Portugal’s vibrant design scene (known for furniture, bijoux, et la mode) uses 3D printing for customization. Lisbon-based jewelry brandPrata 3D creates unique silver necklaces using resin 3D printing and lost-wax casting. Customers can upload their own designs, and the brand delivers finished pieces in 7 days—something traditional jewelers can’t match.

5. How to Get Started with 3D Printing in Portugal (Étape par étape)

If you’re new to 3D printing in Portugal, follow these simple steps to bring your project to life:

1. Define Your Project: Clarify what you need (Par exemple, “a prototype of a phone case” or “100 metal brackets”). Note key details: taille, matériel, and deadline.
2. Choose a Service Provider: Use the table in Section 2 to match your needs. Par exemple, if you need a high-detail resin part, pick PrintParts PT. For a hobby project, Porto3D Labs is better.
3. Submit Your 3D Model: Most providers accept files in STL, Obj, or STEP format. If you don’t have a model, many (like Porto3D Labs) offer design services for €50–€200 per model.
4. Obtenez un devis: Providers typically respond with a quote within 24 heures. Ask for a sample if you’re unsure about quality (most charge €10–€30 for samples).
5. Approve & Imprimer: Once you approve the quote, production takes 1–7 days (depending on size/technology). Most providers offer delivery across Portugal for €5–€15.

Étude de cas: A Coimbra-based student used this process to print a prototype for a solar-powered phone charger. They submitted a basic STL file to Coimbra Additive, got a €75 quote, et reçu le prototype en 3 jours. They later used the prototype to win a €5,000 university innovation grant.

6. Future Trends in Portugal’s 3D Printing Sector

Experts predict three key trends will shape Portugal’s 3D printing industry by 2027:

1. Increased Local Production: The “Portugal 2030” plan aims to reduce reliance on imported parts. Par 2027, 40% of small manufacturers in Portugal are expected to use 3D printing for in-house production (à partir de 22% dans 2024).
2. Bioprinting Research: The University of Coimbra’s 3D Bioprinting Lab is leading research on printing human tissue for drug testing. They recently received a €1.2 million EU grant to expand their work, which could make Portugal a hub for medical bioprinting.
3. Focus sur la durabilité: More providers will offer recycled materials. GreenPrint Portugal plans to open two new facilities in 2025, doubling their capacity to produce recycled PLA.

Yigu Technology’s Perspective on 3D Printing in Portugal

Yigu Technology recognizes Portugal as a rising star in Europe’s 3D printing landscape. Its combination of government support, academic innovation, and industry collaboration creates a unique ecosystem—especially for SMEs. What stands out is Portugal’s focus on sustainability and accessibility: recycled materials and affordable services lower barriers for small businesses and creators, which aligns with Yigu’s mission to make advanced manufacturing inclusive. We believe Portugal could become a regional leader in medical and sustainable 3D printing by 2030, especially if it continues to invest in bioprinting research and cross-industry partnerships.

FAQ About 3D Printing in Portugal

1. How much does 3D printing cost in Portugal?Les coûts varient selon la taille, matériel, et la technologie. A small PLA prototype (Par exemple, un porte-clés) costs €10–€20, tandis qu'une grande partie métallique (Par exemple, an auto component) can cost €1,000+.
2. Can I get 3D printing training in Portugal?Oui. The University of Lisbon offers a 6-week online course on 3D printing basics (€250), and Porto3D Labs hosts monthly workshops for hobbyists (€50 per session).
3. Are there 3D printing events in Portugal?The annual Portugal Additive Manufacturing Show (held in Lisbon each May) is the biggest event. It features exhibitors, ateliers, and networking opportunities for industry professionals and hobbyists.
4. Is 3D printing legal for commercial use in Portugal?Oui, but you must comply with safety standards (Par exemple, using biocompatible materials for medical parts). The Portuguese Agency for Standards (IPQ) provides guidelines for commercial 3D printing.
5. How long does it take to get a 3D printed part in Portugal?Most providers deliver small parts in 1–3 days. Pièces plus grandes ou complexes (Par exemple, composants métalliques) prendre 5 à 7 jours.