This article will examine Portuguese and European science and higher education policies and their impact on international collaborations. It will do so by looking at two key indicators: international academic mobility and the coauthored international scientific publications. The data show Portugal as an attractive country for foreign students and the increasing participation of Portuguese undergraduates in exchange programmes. The increase in the number of new PhDs in the last decade has been accompanied by an international academic experience. The analysis of international publications (Thomson Scientific) over a 25-year period show that Portugal is one of the most collaborative countries in Europe and that the highest rate of collaboration is now occurring with Spain. (Contains 8 figures, 1 table and 5 notes.)