Support Measures under the Tourism Agenda for the Interior

Tourism is one of Portugal's largest export-earning economic activities and it continues to grow. Between 2009 and 2019 the sector recorded an average annual growth rate above 10%. In 2022, revenue rose by 15%.

Although the sector is on a growth trend inland, 90% of tourism demand is concentrated on the coast and 95% of international tourism is bound for the country's coastal regions.

The Tourism Agenda for the Interior therefore sets out a package of instruments designed to drive, differentiate and deliver new tourism projects and initiatives in these regions.

Here are some of the support measures aimed at meeting the priorities of this initiative.

Linha +Interior Turismo, Território

Scope: adding value to the territory Objective: preserving and strengthening the tourism appeal of these areas Support: up to 70% of eligible expenditure as a non-repayable grant, up to €400,000 per project

Productive Innovation Incentive Scheme (PT2030)

Scope: investing in businesses Objectives: supporting innovative activity by micro-enterprises and SMEs in low-density areas Support: up to 40% of total eligible investment as a non-repayable grant

Microcredit (+Interior Turismo)

Scope: investing in businesses Objective: creating, growing or expanding businesses (micro-enterprises and SMEs) Support: interest-free loan + a performance premium of up to 30% of the credit granted as a non-repayable grant

Credit Line with Mutual Guarantee

Scope: investing in businesses Objectives: creating, growing or expanding businesses and supporting cash flow Support: loan with an associated mutual guarantee; bank financing of up to €4.5 million

Line of Support for Upgrading the Offer (LAQO 2023 +Turismo)

Scope: investing in businesses Objectives: creating, growing or expanding businesses Support: an interest-free loan covering 80% + a completion premium of up to 30% as a non-repayable grant (Turismo de Portugal component)

Capitalizar Turismo +Crescimento

Scope: investing in businesses Objective: supporting the capitalisation of companies for expansion, internationalisation or competitiveness projects Support: financing of between €150,000 and €1.5 million

Real Estate Investment Fund for the Interior

Scope: investing in businesses Objective: creating, growing or expanding businesses based on property assets Support: up to 70% of the eligible cost, with a ceiling of €50,000 per project

Line of Support for Environmental Sustainability

Scope: investing in businesses Objective: encouraging investment in environmental sustainability Support: bank financing of up to €500,000 (80% mutual guarantee) + a 20% performance premium (non-repayable grant)

Regressar +Interior Turismo

Scope: training professionals Objective: encouraging people to move to tourism businesses in the interior (applications under the support scheme for the return of emigrants to Portugal, or traineeships supported by Turismo de Portugal) Support: an additional 25% on top of the amount awarded

Estudar Turismo Interior

Scope: training professionals Objective: encouraging students living on the coast to move to hospitality and tourism schools in the interior Support: grants towards travel and accommodation costs + reduced or waived tuition fees

Portugal Events

Scope: raising the profile of the interior and what it offers Objective: support, at an enhanced rate, for holding events in low-density areas Support: a 25% uplift on the support given

Also within the raising the profile of the interior and what it offers strand, the VisitPortugal brand is running a set of national and international campaigns aimed at raising awareness of the interior and mobilising operators, institutions and the wider community.

Are you looking to start or expand a business in the interior of the country?

Get in touch and we will identify the measure best suited to your investment.

Sources: Turismo de Portugal, INE, Banco de Portugal