Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of October 20, 2026, from ICEX Spain Exports and Investments, E.P.E., publishing the Agreement with AMETIC for the organization of reverse missions of opinion leaders in smart tourism and digital health |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | October 30, 2026 |
| Entry into force | October 20, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Spanish companies in digital health and smart tourism with export vocation to Latin America |
| Category | Grants and Subsidies |
| Maximum ICEX budget | €57,650 |
| AMETIC contribution (services) | €10,000 |
| Expense justification deadline | 3 months after each mission |
| Communities visited | Madrid, Basque Country, Andalusia, Valencia and Galicia |
If your company operates in digital health or smart tourism and wants to enter Latin American markets, this agreement puts you in front of the decision-makers you need. ICEX and AMETIC have signed an agreement to bring opinion leaders from Latin America to Spain, with a budget of €57,650 fully assumed by ICEX. The Resolution of October 20, 2026 (BOE-A-2026-22782) formalizes this agreement and makes it operative immediately.
This is not a trade fair or an external trip: it is a reverse mission, meaning Latin American opinion leaders come to Spain to meet companies, products and solutions. The format maximizes contact quality and reduces the investment each participating company must make.
What does this regulation establish?
The agreement between ICEX and AMETIC regulates the organization of reverse missions of opinion leaders from Latin America, focused on two strategic sectors of the Spanish digital ecosystem:
- Digital health: technological solutions applied to healthcare, telemedicine, hospital management, digital diagnosis, etc.
- Smart tourism: platforms, applications and technological services oriented to the tourism sector.
The division of responsibilities between the two entities is as follows:
| Entity | Role | Economic contribution |
|---|---|---|
| ICEX Spain Exports and Investments | Financier of eligible expenses (transport, accommodation, catering) | Up to €57,650 in cash |
| AMETIC | Logistics, selection of Spanish participants and agenda coordination | €10,000 in valued services |
The eligible expenses covered by ICEX are exclusively: transport, accommodation and catering of Latin American opinion leaders during their stay in Spain. AMETIC, for its part, assumes the operational part: selecting which Spanish companies participate, organizing meeting agendas and managing the logistics of visits.
The itinerary of the missions covers five autonomous communities: Madrid, Basque Country, Andalusia, Valencia and Galicia, which allows companies located in different parts of Spanish geography to access opinion leaders without needing to travel to the capital.
Economic and operational impact
For participating companies, the direct economic impact is very positive: they gain access to meetings with high-level Latin American opinion leaders without assuming organization costs, which are entirely borne by ICEX (€57,650) and AMETIC (€10,000 in services).
The real value for a company is not only in cost savings, but in the quality of contact. An opinion leader in digital health or smart tourism can open doors to contracts, distribution or alliances in Latin American markets that would otherwise require months of prospecting and external travel.
From an operational perspective, companies should note that:
- The selection of Spanish participants is carried out by AMETIC, not ICEX directly.
- Expense justification must be completed within a maximum period of 3 months after each mission.
- The agreement has been in force since October 20, 2026, so missions can be organized immediately.
Who does it affect?
- Spanish companies in the digital health sector (telemedicine, healthcare software, digital diagnosis, technological hospital management).
- Companies in the smart tourism sector (booking platforms, tourism management solutions, destination data analytics, traveler apps).
- Technology startups and SMEs with products or services exportable to Latin America.
- Companies located in Madrid, Basque Country, Andalusia, Valencia or Galicia or willing to travel to one of these communities to participate in visits.
- Members or companies in the AMETIC ecosystem, given that this association manages the selection of participants.
Practical example
A Valencian company with hospital management software wants to enter the Colombian and Mexican markets, but does not have the budget to organize prospecting trips or hire a local distributor. Thanks to this agreement, AMETIC selects it as a participant in the reverse digital health mission.
During the visit of Latin American opinion leaders to Valencia, the company makes a presentation of its solution and holds bilateral meetings with three decision-makers from private hospitals in Colombia and two purchasing managers from a Mexican clinic network. The cost of transport, accommodation and catering for these opinion leaders is assumed by ICEX (within the €57,650 budget). The company only invests preparation time and the presentation of its product.
If a distribution agreement or pilot contract emerges from these meetings, the return on investment is extraordinarily high compared to the cost of a traditional commercial mission abroad.
What should companies do now?
- Contact AMETIC immediately: it is the entity responsible for selecting participating Spanish companies. The sooner you get in touch, the more likely you are to be included in the first missions.
- Verify that your company fits the eligible sectors: digital health or smart tourism with a product or service exportable to Latin America.
- Prepare a commercial dossier in Spanish oriented to Latin America: the opinion leaders are Latin American; adapting the message to their markets increases the effectiveness of meetings.
- Identify which autonomous community in the itinerary suits you best: Madrid, Basque Country, Andalusia, Valencia and Galicia. If your company is in one of them, it facilitates logistical participation.
- Review the official agreement in the BOE to know the exact terms and expense justification deadlines (3 months after each mission), especially if your company also assumes any own participation costs.
Frequently asked questions
How much money does ICEX contribute to these reverse missions?
ICEX fully assumes the eligible expenses of the missions, with a maximum budget of €57,650. These expenses cover transport, accommodation and catering for Latin American opinion leaders. AMETIC additionally provides services valued at €10,000 for logistics, participant selection and agenda coordination.
How can my company participate in the ICEX-AMETIC reverse missions?
The selection of participating Spanish companies is managed by AMETIC, not ICEX directly. Interested companies should contact AMETIC (Multisectoral Association of Electronics, Information Technology and Communications, Telecommunications and Digital Content Companies) to express their interest and be evaluated as candidates. The agreement has been in force since October 20, 2026.
What sectors can benefit from this ICEX-AMETIC agreement?
Exclusively companies in digital health and smart tourism with export vocation to Latin America. Other technological or digital sectors that do not fit these two categories are excluded.
What autonomous communities do the reverse missions cover?
The itinerary covers five autonomous communities: Madrid, Basque Country, Andalusia, Valencia and Galicia. This allows companies from different regions of Spain to access Latin American opinion leaders without needing to concentrate all visits in the capital.
What is the deadline for justifying expenses for each mission?
AMETIC must justify expenses within a maximum period of 3 months after each reverse mission is held. This deadline applies to eligible expenses financed by ICEX (transport, accommodation and catering).
Official source
View complete regulation in official source (BOE-A-2026-22782)
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-22782
