PT2030 Productive Innovation in Portugal is a funding scheme supporting innovative, productive investment projects by SMEs across mainland Portugal, covering both low-density and other territories, to increase competitiveness, innovation, exports and qualified employment through new or significantly improved products, services or production processes.
Programme details
- Aviso reference: MPR-2026-6
- Application period: 15/06/2026 to 30/09/2026 (17:00)
- Beneficiary entities: Micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with organised accounting
- Type of benefit: Non-refundable grant. Maximum support rate by territory and company size:
- Low-density territories: 50% (micro/small) / 40% (medium)
- Other territories: 30% (micro/small) / 25% (medium)
- Alto Alentejo and Beiras e Serra da Estrela (regardless of density): 60% (micro/small) / 50% (medium)
- Eligible investment: Minimum 300.000€ — maximum below 25.000.000€ (total eligible expenditure)
- Project duration: 24 months
- Geographic scope: Mainland NUTS II regions (Norte, Centro, Lisboa, Alentejo, Algarve)
- Funding programmes: PITD (COMPETE 2030) and the Regional Programmes Norte, Centro, Lisboa, Alentejo and Algarve
- Total allocation: 182.5M€ (71M€ for low-density territories; 111.5M€ for other territories)
About the funding: PT2030 Productive Innovation
Productive Innovation: Low-Density & Other Territories (Aviso MPR-2026-6) is a competitive call supporting individual innovative investment projects that strengthen the productive capacity of SMEs. Unlike previous editions, this call covers both low-density territories and other territories under a single Aviso.
The programme supports projects structured as an initial investment, or an initial investment in favour of a new economic activity, taking one of four forms: creation of a new establishment, expansion of an existing establishment’s capacity, diversification into products or services not previously produced, or a fundamental change to the establishment’s overall production or service process.
Eligible projects must focus on the production of tradable and internationally oriented goods or services with high added value and national incorporation, contributing to export growth, technological upgrading, digital transformation, sustainability and the creation of qualified employment.
How it works
This incentive supports investment that represents a relevant change in the company’s productive or service capacity, rather than routine operational expenditure. Each project typology carries its own threshold:
- Capacity expansion must increase installed capacity by at least 25% versus the pre-project year
- Diversification of production requires eligible costs to exceed by at least 200% the book value of the assets being reused (i.e. eligible spend ≥ 3× the reused assets)
- Fundamental process change requires eligible costs to exceed the depreciation of the assets being modernised over the three preceding financial years
Projects are scored on a Project Merit (MP) formula — Strategy Alignment (20%), Quality (30%), Execution Capacity (10%) and Impact (40%) — with a minimum score of 3.00 required for eligibility and higher thresholds applied per programme. Applicants must also demonstrate strategic alignment, an incentive effect, a balanced financial position, and at least 25% own funding of the operation by the date of the first payment.
Eligible investment expenses
Eligible expenses under Productive Innovation: Low-Density & Other Territories fall into the following categories.
Tangible assets
- Machinery and equipment (provided they are not powered by fossil fuels)
- IT hardware, including operating software
- Costs directly attributable to bringing the assets into operating condition
Intangible assets
- Standard or purpose-built software
- Patents, licences and non-patented technical knowledge
- Technology transfer costs
Other eligible investment costs
(up to 20% of total eligible expenditure)
- Engineering, architecture and design services
- Studies, diagnostics and audits
- Marketing plans
- DNSH (Do No Significant Harm) environmental studies — capped at 15.000€
- Certified accountant or statutory auditor (ROC) validation of payment requests — capped at 5.000€
Additional eligible expenses (subject to limits)
- Construction and renovation works, applicable to the industry and tourism sectors. Caps as a share of total eligible expenditure: Norte, Centro, Lisboa and Alentejo — 60% (tourism) / 35% (industry); Algarve — 70% (industry and tourism), rising to 90% for RIS3-aligned industry projects
- Non-fossil-fuel vehicles, when integral to tourism-related activities
Who can benefit from this incentive
Productive Innovation: Low-Density & Other Territories is aimed at SMEs developing innovative investment projects in mainland Portugal. The incentive is particularly relevant for businesses that:
- Intend to establish new operations or expand existing capacity
- Introduce new products, services or production processes
- Operate in tradable sectors with an international orientation
- Seek to combine growth with sustainability and technological upgrading
Eligible sectors span almost all economic activities, with limited exclusions (financial and insurance activities, defence, and lotteries and gambling). Applications are submitted online through the Balcão dos Fundos. IAPMEI manages all sectors except tourism, which is managed by Turismo de Portugal.
Need More Information?
Understanding the rules and eligibility criteria for each incentive is essential for assessing its relevance and potential impact within a company’s broader investment and tax strategy. For clarification or further information, reach out through our contact form or [email protected].
