Expected Aid Regimes under Development Law 4887/2022, Two New Calls for Proposals Expected by the End of the Year

Introduction

By the end of the current year, following the completion of the three regimes of Development Law 4887/2022—whose submission deadline ends on 10/10/2025—two new regimes are expected to be announced. Specifically, these are the “Business Extroversion” and “Modern Technologies” regimes, which are projected to become critical support tools for Greek enterprises at a time when investments must combine competitiveness, innovation, and international outreach.

Regime “Business Extroversion”

The “Business Extroversion” regime constitutes one of the most significant upcoming schemes of Development Law 4887/2022. Its objective is to support investment plans that aim at the dynamic presence of Greek enterprises in foreign markets, through the export of products and services. In this way, the goal is to reduce the dependence of domestic entrepreneurship on internal demand and to enhance competitiveness in sectors with significant prospects for international growth.

Eligible Expenditures

Investment projects falling under the regime may receive support for all costs foreseen under regional aid. In addition, there are supplementary categories of expenditures that may be supported beyond regional aid, such as:

• Consulting services for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

• Innovation in SMEs.

• Process and organisational innovation for SMEs and large enterprises.

• Energy efficiency measures (excluding building-related measures).

• Resource efficiency and support for the transition to a circular economy.

• Energy production from Renewable Energy Sources and high-efficiency cogeneration.

• Environmental restoration, biodiversity protection and climate change adaptation measures.

• Vocational training.

• Installation of efficient district heating and district cooling systems.

• Hiring of disadvantaged or disabled workers.

The coverage rate for each expenditure category as a share of the total investment project budget will be determined in the regime’s official call for proposals.

Strategic Importance

The regime is not an isolated measure, but part of a broader national strategy. Its objective is to create a new generation of Greek enterprises that are not confined to the domestic market but instead maintain a consistent international presence. This shift is crucial, as the Greek economy remains heavily dependent on consumption and tourism. Through this regime, businesses gain the necessary tools to claim market share in high-value international markets and to enhance their resilience against fluctuations in domestic demand.

Regime “Modern Technologies”

The “Modern Technologies” regime aims to support investment projects focused on technology, biotechnology, and the adoption of new technologies within the industrial sector. At the same time, it places strong emphasis on upskilling the workforce and on the development and application of innovative ideas and technologies that improve products, services, and overall business productivity.

The need for this type of investment is particularly urgent, as Greece continues to lag behind the European average in the integration of digital technologies within enterprises (Digital Economy and Society Index, 2023).

Eligible_Expenditures
The regime aims to support investments in technology, biotechnology, and the adoption of new technologies in industry, alongside upskilling the workforce and the development of innovative solutions that enhance products, services, and overall productivity.

The support covers:

• All expenditures foreseen under regional aid.
• Additionally, expenses outside the scope of regional aid may be supported, including:
• Consulting services for SMEs.
• Vocational training.
• Participation of SMEs in trade fairs.
• Ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities.

For investment projects that do not constitute a fully-fledged initial investment, eligible expenses include:

• Vocational training costs.
• Costs for hiring disadvantaged or disabled workers.
• Support expenses for SMEs.
• Any other expenditure included in the general provisions of the regime.

The coverage rate for each expenditure category as a percentage of the total investment project cost will be defined in the corresponding call for proposals.

Strategic Importance

The “Modern Technologies” regime provides Greek enterprises with the opportunity to leverage advanced technologies and innovative solutions, increasing productivity, reducing production costs, and improving the quality of their products and services. Through investments in automation, digital management tools, and efficient technologies, businesses strengthen their competitiveness both nationally and internationally, while also gaining access to new markets with strict quality standards.

At the same time, the regime supports the sustainable transition of production by reducing the energy footprint and integrating environmentally efficient practices. Enhancing technological infrastructure and workforce skills makes enterprises more flexible and resilient to market changes, while empowering them to implement innovations that improve productivity, quality, and efficiency across all processes.

Eligible Beneficiaries for Both Regimes

Enterprises eligible to participate must have a registered office or branch in Greece at the start of the investment project and operate under the following legal forms:

• Commercial companies
• Cooperatives, Social Cooperative Enterprises, Agricultural Cooperatives, Producer Groups, Agricultural Partnerships, and Urban Cooperatives.
• Companies under establishment or under merger (subject to specific conditions).
• Consortia with commercial activity.
• Public and municipal enterprises, where specific conditions are met.

Excluded from the regimes are enterprises considered problematic, those subject to ongoing state aid recovery procedures, and those falling under the general exclusions of Law 4887/2022.

Aid Limits and Intensity for Both Regimes

For both anticipated regimes, “Business Extroversion” and “Modern Technologies”, the maximum aid per investment project can reach 20.000.000€, while for special cases involving smaller or highly specialized investments, the maximum is reduced to 1.000.000€, regardless of the total project budget or the applicable aid rate.

The minimum investment thresholds are set according to the size of the enterprise:

• Large enterprises: 1.000.000€
• Medium enterprises: 500.000€
• Small enterprises: 250.000€
• Very small enterprises: 100.000€
• Social Cooperative Enterprises, Agricultural Cooperatives, Producer Groups, Agricultural Partnerships: 50.000€

Investments may be supported through various incentives, including: grant aid (available only for very small, small, and medium enterprises), tax relief, subsidized financial leasing, and subsidy for employment costs generated by the investment.

The aid intensity depends on both the size of the enterprise and the location of the investment, according to the applicable Regional Aid Map:

• Very small, small, and medium enterprises: May receive aid up to the maximum allowed by the Map for all types of incentives. Grant aid can cover up to 80% of this maximum, and for certain special investment categories, it may reach 100%.
• Large enterprises: Eligible for aid up to 80% of the Map’s maximum rate, with certain special investments eligible for up to 100%.

Enhanced aid rates are available for investment projects located:

• In mountainous areas,
• Within 30 km of national borders,
• On islands with a population below 3.100 inhabitants.

Conclusion

The two anticipated regimes under Development Law 4887/2022, “Business Extroversion” and “Modern Technologies”, represent key strategic support tools for Greek enterprises. The first focuses on strengthening the international presence of businesses through exports, international collaborations, and product certifications, thereby reducing dependence on the domestic market and enhancing global competitiveness.

The second regime emphasizes technological upgrading, digitalization, and green transition, enabling enterprises to improve productivity, efficiency, and quality of their goods and services, while also enhancing the skills of human resources and the ability to implement innovations.

Together, these two regimes establish the foundation for a more competitive, innovative, and outward-looking Greek business landscape, capable of responding to the demands of the international market and promoting sustainable development.

Submission and Evaluation of Funding Applications

Interested enterprises will submit their investment plans electronically through the dedicated Development Law platform. The complete application package should include the budget, eligible expenses, technical and financial studies, as well as information on the investment’s sustainability and innovation. It should be noted that the final details regarding submission procedures, required documents, and deadlines will be announced in the official call for the two regimes.

Applications will be evaluated based on predefined criteria, such as the strategic significance of the project, the technological or export potential of the enterprise, the economic and social benefits, and the overall sustainability of the business plan. The funding rates and maximum amounts per investment plan will be determined according to the size of the enterprise, the location of the investment, and the nature of the project, ensuring a fair allocation of resources and support for strategic sectors.

For further information on the two upcoming regimes under Development Law 4887/2022 and guidance on planning your investment projects, please contact us at +30 2310 552000 or +30 210 9580000, or email us at [email protected].