Portugal 2030 for SMEs: Status Update on Calls for Proposals at the End of H1 2026

The year 2026 has been particularly significant for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to invest, innovate, internationalise or modernise their business with support from Portugal 2030. As we reach the end of the first half of the year, it is important to take stock of the main calls that have already closed, identify the opportunities that remain open, and anticipate some of the measures that, according to the Portugal 2030 Annual Plan of Calls, are still expected to open during the second half of 2026. Calls for SMEs that have taken place in 2026 During the first months of 2026, several calls aimed at business investment were launched, notably: SICE – Productive Innovation – Low Density Territories; Territorial-Based Incentive Schemes (SIBT) CIM Oeste and SIBT IIBT Pinhal Interior; SICE – SME Qualification; SICE – SME Internationalisation; Business R&D; and the Incentive Scheme for Climate and Energy Transition. These calls made it possible to support projects related to business creation, productive capacity expansion, digital transformation, internationalisation, organisational innovation, energy efficiency, and the development of new products and services. Many of these measures saw high demand from SMEs, reflecting the growing importance of EU funds as an instrument to support business investment. Calls currently open for SMEs (June 2026) At this stage, there are still several opportunities for companies wishing to submit applications to Portugal 2030. Key calls currently available include: SIBT Médio Tejo; SIBT Alentejo; SIBT Algarve; R&D Internationalisation; SIAC – Algarve Internationalisation; SITCE – Circular Economy; and SI Qualified Entrepreneurship Associated with Knowledge. The SI Territorial-Based measures are mainly targeted at micro and small enterprises wishing to establish, expand or modernise their businesses in specific territories. Productive Innovation is one of the most relevant Portugal 2030 measures supporting productive investments, primarily in the industrial and tourism sectors, helping to stimulate innovative business investment and promoting the production of tradeable and internationalisable goods and services with high added value. What is still expected to open by the end of 2026? According to the Portugal 2030 Annual Plan of Calls, the second half of 2026 should continue to bring relevant opportunities for SMEs. Foreseen calls include: SICE – Productive Innovation – Other Territories; SICE – Productive Innovation – Low Density Territories; SI Territorial-Based for various Northern regions; SICE – SME Qualification; and SICE – SME Internationalisation. Continued support for productive business investment is planned, with new opportunities for industrial modernisation projects, digitalisation, automation, Industry 4.0, new product development, and the strengthening of productive capacity. New opportunities are expected to support digital transformation, certification, the digital economy, organisation and management, industrial property, sustainability, and decarbonisation. The Plan of Calls also provides for the continuity of support aimed at business internationalisation, including investments related to participation in international trade fairs, international marketing, e-commerce, presence in foreign markets, and boosting exports. New calls should also emerge to support the development of new products, applied research, technological innovation, and collaborative projects between companies and entities within the scientific and technological system. The new Annual Plan of Calls also reinforces the commitment to investments related to environmental sustainability, decarbonisation, energy efficiency, circular economy, and climate transition. What should SMEs do right now? One of the most common situations is for companies to only begin preparing their application after calls have been launched. In practice, the projects with the highest probability of approval are usually those that start being structured in advance—by defining the investment strategy, preparing the Business Plan, conducting an economic and financial feasibility study, analysing eligibility, and preparing documentation. Early preparation allows companies to respond faster to calls and submit technically more robust applications. How can Consulstaff help? With 20 years of experience in preparing and monitoring applications for EU funds, Consulstaff supports companies across the country in identifying the best funding opportunities and structuring their investment projects. The team guides clients through all stages of the process, from scope analysis, preparation of the Business Plan, and economic and financial feasibility studies, to application submission, requests for clarification, physical and financial execution, payment requests, and project closure. If you intend to invest in 2026 or prepare a project for upcoming Portugal 2030 calls, now is the ideal time to start planning.