- Grant Amount: Up to €300,000 (de minimis)
- Additional support with a maximum amount of €500,000 for small and medium-sized enterprises, with a grant rate of 20% and 10%, respectively.
Objectives of the Scheme
The scheme aims to upgrade hotels and tourist accommodations in rural, mountainous, and remote areas to modernize and enhance the competitiveness of the tourism product through:
- The enrichment, modernization, and quality enhancement of the provided products and services.
- The creation of new products and services related to alternative forms of tourism, catering to seasonal needs and specific characteristics.
- The modernization of services through digital upgrades.
Scheme Characteristics
- Total Budget for 2025: €3,000,000
- Grant Amounts:
- Individuals and legal entities: €300,000 (“de minimis”)
- Additional support up to €500,000 with a grant intensity of:
- 20% for small enterprises
- 10% for medium enterprises
- Retroactive Eligibility for Expenses: Eligible expenses are considered from November 1, 2023, onwards.
- Minimum Investment Amounts:
- €7,000 per enterprise for Traditional Buildings and Tourist Campsites
- €30,000 for all other categories of Hotels and Tourist Accommodations
- Submission Deadline: Until April 30, 2025, or until the available budget is exhausted.
Beneficiaries
Entrepreneurs managing hotels or tourist accommodations in eligible geographic areas. The grant intensity is as follows:
- 75% of the total cost for Mountainous, Border, and Remote Areas
- 65% of the total cost for Rural Areas
- 50% of the total cost for Other tourism-disadvantaged areas
- 85% of the total cost for Special State Support Areas
Eligible Expenses
- Digital upgrades
- Building renovations and energy upgrades
- Creation of new infrastructure and services to enhance the provided products and services (e.g., wellness spaces, conference rooms, sports facilities).
- Conversion of tourist accommodations into hotels
- Consultant and expert fees, including the development of Business Plans
Non-Eligible Expenses
- The purchase/installation of used equipment
- Interventions in non-approved spaces based on building permits
- Construction of new beds
- Operational expenses, running costs, and consumables
- Permit fees
- Purchase or rental of artworks, paintings, or other valuable items
- Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Purchase of motor vehicles
- Costs for online advertising
Requirements
- Valid classification from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism by March 14, 2019.
- Operating license and valid classification at the time of application submission.