Fast-Track support for Strategic Investments in Portugal
Developing large-scale projects in Portugal can be a complex journey, requiring coordination across multiple stages and entities. However, securing Portuguese Important Project (PIN) or Investment Project for the Interior (PII) status unlocks a powerful advantage—streamlining approvals and accelerating progress.
With direct support from key governmental bodies such as APA, CCDR, Floene, REN, and others, investors benefit from: ✔ Priority in licensing – ensuring faster approvals ✔ Simultaneous administrative processing – cutting through bureaucracy ✔ Significant reduction in timelines – getting projects off the ground quicker
For those looking to invest in Portugal, PIN/PII status is the key to unlocking efficiency and success.
As of July 31 ST 2021, there were 3.283 applications to SIFIDE (Fiscal Incentive Systems for Business Research & Development), related to the fiscal year of 2020. In total, companies declared investments in R&D of EUR 1,558 M and requested a tax credit of around EUR 745 M (over 36% than in the previous year).
Compared to fiscal year of 2019, there was an increase of 38% in the number of applications, 27% in investments declared by companies and 24% in total projects, which exceeded 8.000.
Among the sectors with the highest volume of applications and declared investment in R&D between 2015 and 2020, ANI (National Innovation Agency) highlights “information and communication activities”, “technical, scientific and support services” and “wholesale and retail trade”, in services; and “pharmaceutical products and preparations”, “computer, electrical, electronic and optical equipment”, “food and beverage industries” and “transport material”, in the manufacturing industries. It should be noted that, in 2020, the North region presented 41% of the application for SIFIDE (1.343), followed by the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon (28%) and the Center region (23%).
