STEP Productive Innovation for Energy supports innovative productive investment projects aimed at manufacturing critical clean and energy-efficient technologies or strengthening and securing their value chains. In doing so, it contributes to the objectives of the green transition under the EU Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP).
Programme details
Application deadline: 30 April 2026
Beneficiary entities: Large companies, SMEs, micro-enterprises and startups
Benefit: Up to 70% non-reimbursable grant
- Minimum investment: €3,000,000
Geographic scope: Mainland Portugal (excluding Lisbon and Algarve area)
About the funding
STEP Productive Innovation for Energy supports innovative productive investment operations that result in the production of tradable and internationalisable goods or services with high added value and national incorporation.
Eligible projects must contribute to the manufacturing of critical technologies or to preserving and reinforcing their value chains in the field of clean and resource-efficient energy technologies, including net-zero technologies, as defined in Regulation (EU) 2024/795 (STEP).
Supported investments must qualify as either an initial investment or an initial investment in a new economic activity.
This includes:
- Creation of a new establishment
- Diversification of activity or production
- Fundamental change in the overall production process
Projects awarded a STEP Seal or approved as IPCEI are not eligible under this call.
How it works
This call supports productive investments aligned with the strategic objectives of European technological sovereignty and the green transition.
Projects must demonstrate:
- Contribution to the development or reinforcement of clean and energy-efficient technologies
- Alignment with STEP priorities and regulatory requirements
- Economic viability and capacity to generate added value
- Relevance within national and European value chains
The incentive is intended for structurally significant industrial investments rather than incremental improvements.
Eligible investment expenses
Tangible assets:
- Machinery and production equipment
- Technical installations and production lines
- Intangible assets
- Patents, licences, know-how and software
- For SMEs, additional eligible expenses may include:
- Engineering and technical studies
- Audits, certification and DNSH compliance studies
- Construction or refurbishment of buildings, when strictly necessary for the investment and within defined regulatory limits
All expenses must be directly related to the productive investment and incurred after submission of the application.
Who can benefit from this incentive
This incentive is aimed at companies investing in the manufacturing of critical clean and energy-efficient technologies within mainland Portugal.
It is particularly relevant for businesses that:
- Operate in energy transition or net-zero technology sectors
- Integrate advanced production processes in clean technologies
- Seek to strengthen national and European value chains
- Intend to expand or transform their industrial capacity within the framework of the green transition
Understanding the rules and eligibility criteria of each incentive is essential to assess 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.
