Invest in Portugal

AICEP – Portuguese Trade & Investment Agency is a public body aimed at developing a competitive business environment that contributes to the globalization of the Portuguese economy. The agency has a dual mandate in terms of contributing to an efficient business environment and the overall debureaucratization of the administrative panorama because, on the one hand, it is statutorily mandated to do so by Decree-Law n. º 229/2012, of October 26th, and because it coordinates the Investment Committee, which oversees different investment projects.

The Investment Committee (Comissão Permanente de Apoio ao Investidor – CPAI) is to provide ongoing assistance and support to investors and monitor investment projects by ensuring compliance with the relevant regulations and policies.

The Composition of the Investment Committee

The Investment Committee is composed of technical Institutions from all relevant ministries, such as AICEP, which carries out the technical secretariat for the Committee, IAPMEI, Turismo de Portugal, Territorial Development and Coordination Committees, Portuguese Environmental Agency, Forest and Nature Conservation Institute, Employment Institute, Tributary and Customs Authority and the Directorate General for Economic Activities. This Commission is a forum that engenders coordination to implement the procedures that arise on each project, provide some guidance to the investors and facilitate the investment process whenever possible.

The Committee also invites external entities to join the meetings, namely the city hall that is territorially competent for each project, experts, or other sectorial institutions from which each project could benefit.

The Role of the Investment Committee

The role of the Investment Committee is to monitor projects considered relevant to boosting the national economy, including projects classified as being of Potential National Interest (PIN), Investment Projects for the Interior (PII), and CPAI Monitored Projects for which procedures are established and mechanisms are streamlined.

By ensuring close monitoring of all licenses, authorizations, or approvals within the competence of the central and local administration to implement a project, the outcome will be a rapid response from the public administration entities. This is the main advantage of a project being classified as PIN/PII/CPAI Monitored Projects by the Investment Committee: transparency of the procedural steps required to license the project and coordination between all institutions.

On top of that, if the Investment Committee can't implement a particular procedure from a technical standpoint (due to lack of suitable legislation, for example), it can also report it to the Committee for Economic and Investment Affairs: this is a more political committee, as it includes representatives from different ministries and secretaries of state.

Lastly, the monitoring of an investment project's licensing procedures is carried out by its project manager, which can be either AICEP, IAPMEI, or Turismo de Portugal, depending on the investment volume and the project type. To do so, the project manager relies on the chronogram previously approved by the competent entities. This tool comprises the licensing process and its legal deadlines, which are then thoroughly monitored. It also describes all the institutions involved at each stage, resulting in accountability. Typically, the chronogram includes four vectors:

1) territorial planning,

2) environmental,

3) urban operations and, finally,

4) that of the activity itself, as applicable.

To benefit from the Investment Committee's monitoring, the investor has at his disposal the following applications:

Projects of Potential National Interest - PIN APPLICATION

A project can be deemed to have a Potential National Interest (PIN) if it meets the following requirements:

• Represent a global investment equal to or greater than 25 million euros.
• Create several direct jobs equal to or greater than 50.
• When presented by promoters of recognized suitability and credibility.
• Have proven economic viability.
• Are susceptible to adequate environmental and territorial sustainability.

If the threshold for investment or job creation is not met, a project may also be recognized as PIN exceptionally, provided that it meets two of the following requirements:

1. The Internal Research and Development (R&D) activity is worth at least 10% of the company's turnover.
2. A substantial component of applied innovation is translated into a significant part of its activity anchored in patents developed by the company.
3. The project is deemed to have a manifest environmental interest.
4. There is a strong export vocation, translated by at least 50% of its turnover to the international market.
5. There is relevant production of tradable goods and services.

The legal framework applicable for this type of project is the special regime established by Decree-Law n. º 154/2013, of November 5th.

Investment Projects for the Interior - PII APPLICATION

A project can be considered as an Investment Project for the Interior (PII) if it meets the following requirements:

• This application is directed to projects that aim to dynamize the interior part of Portugal and whose location is discriminated on the following list (Portaria n.º 208/2017).
• Represent a global investment equal to or greater than 10 million euros.
• Create several direct jobs equal to or greater than 25.
• Have proven economic viability.
• Are susceptible to adequate environmental and territorial sustainability.
• Have a positive impact on at least three of the following areas:

1. Use of endogenous resources.
2. Enhancement of heritage.
3. Insertion into the region's strategy.
4. Innovative goods/services.
5. Technological innovation with collaboration.

If the threshold is not met, a project may also be recognized as PII exceptionally, provided that it meets three of the following requirements:

a. Declaration of Recognition of Municipal Interest.
b. Manifest social/environmental interest.
c. 5%+ of turnover from R&D.
d. Applied innovation with scientific collaboration.
e. Production base with regional incorporation.
f. Diaspora investment project.

Legal basis: Decree-Law n.º 111/2018.

Projects Monitored by CPAI

The Investment Committee can monitor a project if it meets the following:

• No investment/job creation threshold.
• Proven economic viability.
• Environmental and territorial sustainability.
• Positive impact in at least three areas:

i. Production base with national incorporation.
ii. Innovative tradable goods/services.
iii. Regional development.
iv. External balance (exports/imports).
v. Energy efficiency.
vi. Value chain impact (especially SMEs).

Applies general regime of Decree-Law n.º 154/2013.

How to Submit an Application

To submit an application, refer to this link.

Use Firefox (preferred) or Chrome. Avoid Internet Explorer.

For more info, contact: secpin@portugalglobal.pt

Last updated: 02/05/2025