Three new funding calls support eligible micro and small businesses in Tâmega e Sousa, Cávado and Terras de Trás-os-Montes, with applications closing between November and December 2026.
For businesses planning to establish, expand or modernise operations in northern Portugal, three new Norte 2030 calls offer non-repayable grants under the Sistema de Incentivos de Base Territorial (SIBT), the territorial investment incentive scheme. Applications opened on 30 September 2026.
The funding supports smaller investments that contribute to employment and the development of local economies. Although the calls share a common framework, eligibility depends on the investment location, business activity and company age. These differences should be assessed before preparing an application or committing to expenditure.
Programme details
- Funding programme: Norte 2030, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
- Applications open: 30 September 2026
- Eligible beneficiaries: Micro and small businesses, subject to each call’s activity and company-age requirements
- Type of support: Non-repayable grant
- Funding rate: 40% to 60%, depending on location and the applicable call
- Eligible investment: At least €25,000 and strictly below €300,000, including the indirect-cost allowance
- Maximum project duration: 24 months
About the incentive
SIBT provides funding for smaller investment projects implemented at an establishment in the relevant sub-region. It can support new business operations, increased production capacity, improved processes and the modernisation of equipment and technology.
In Tâmega e Sousa and Cávado, the base funding rate is 50% in officially designated low-density territories and 40% elsewhere. In Cávado, projects recognised as complementary to PROVERE Minho In may receive an additional 10 percentage points, bringing the maximum rate to 60%. The required recognition must be documented when applying.
In Terras de Trás-os-Montes, the funding rate is 60%. PROVERE recognition can contribute to project evaluation in all three calls, but increases the funding rate only in Cávado.
Eligible activities and beneficiaries
Tâmega e Sousa: Micro and small businesses constituted and active for at least one month. Eligible activities include extractive industries, manufacturing, accommodation and food services, and amusement and recreation, subject to the applicable exclusions.
Cávado: Micro and small businesses constituted and active for at least three months. Eligible activities include textiles, clothing, metal products, computer, electronic and optical products, research and development in physical and natural sciences, tourism entertainment activities, and qualifying accommodation. Accommodation is subject to specific activity-code and location restrictions, which should be checked before applying. Businesses with more than one year of activity must show turnover in the project’s activity code in their 2025 IES.
Terras de Trás-os-Montes: New micro and small businesses with between one month and one year of activity at submission. A broad range of activities is covered, subject to an extensive exclusion list. Exclusions include construction, real estate, transport and storage, energy, equipment rental, certain retail activities, furnished tourist accommodation and the cultural and creative sector. The precise activity code must be checked.
Eligible investments
The calls can support:
- Machinery and equipment;
- IT hardware and software;
- Patents, licences and technical know-how;
- Product, process or service certification;
- New brand design and registration;
- Construction or refurbishment, where permitted by the relevant call;
- Indirect costs through a 5% flat rate under the programme rules.
Construction eligibility differs between calls. In Cávado, works are restricted to qualifying accommodation projects. Tâmega e Sousa imposes additional restrictions on new buildings and requires relevant architectural approval or prior communication at submission where licensing is required.
Certified accountant or statutory auditor fees for payment claims are eligible up to €2,000 in Cávado and Terras de Trás-os-Montes, but are excluded in Tâmega e Sousa. Vehicles are generally excluded, apart from a limited exception for qualifying non-fossil-fuel vehicles used in tourism entertainment activities.
Main conditions to consider
Applicants must:
- Have organised accounting and meet the financial eligibility requirements;
- Hold the required SME certification at approval;
- Have at least one paid full-time-equivalent position registered with Social Security for at least one month;
- Demonstrate financing capacity and the required activity licences;
- Have premises available for their exclusive use;
- Submit the application before starting the project or incurring expenditure.
Only one application per business is permitted, covering one establishment. Previous approvals under certain investment, employment or entrepreneurship measures may prevent eligibility.
Support is subject to the de minimis ceiling of €300,000 per single undertaking over a rolling three-year period. Approved businesses must also meet execution and performance targets, maintain existing jobs until completion and keep the supported premises and assets committed to the project for three years after the final payment claim.
How are applications assessed?
Applications are assessed on project quality, economic viability, innovation, financing capacity, expected business results, employment and alignment with regional priorities. Credible financial projections and a complete justification in the application form are essential.
Projects must achieve a merit score of at least 3.00 out of 5 and are ranked subject to the available budget. Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee approval.
Who can benefit?
This incentive is particularly relevant for micro and small businesses that:
- Plan to establish, expand or modernise operations in one of the covered sub-regions;
- Operate in an eligible sector and meet the relevant company-age requirements;
- Have a defined investment plan and financing capacity;
- Can meet the employment, reporting and ongoing project commitments.
Need more information?
Oporto Accounting supports businesses in assessing eligibility, reviewing investment and financing plans, preparing financial projections and coordinating applications.
To understand whether SIBT is suitable for your business, reach out through our contact form prepared before submission.
