Resources and Tools

The Region aims to promote extraordinary administrative simplification measures to encourage the establishment of highly innovative and research-intensive production sites, the spread of circular and sustainable production models, the redevelopment of disused industrial areas, and investments that address corporate crisis situations.

Lazio is positioned as a strategic location for investments focused on the establishment, expansion, or improvement of production facilities or plants. It promotes the signing of settlement and development agreements between the regional government, local authorities, and entities proposing new economic initiatives, who commit to creating new jobs or retraining the existing workforce.

Productive settlement projects covered by these agreements, with a value equal to or greater than €2,000,000, are assessed through a decision-making conference convened by the Region. This conference concludes with a final decision that replaces all other opinions, approvals, and authorizations required for the project’s implementation and management.

A preliminary conference is no longer mandatory, and is only convened if deemed necessary by the Region based on the complexity of the proposed project.

With a €20 million budget, the call supports SMEs (including foreign ones) investing in Lazio by creating or upgrading production units with innovative and sustainable technologies.

• Creation of a new production unit
• Expansion of production capacity
• Fundamental change in production processes
• Diversification into new ATECO-classified activities

SMEs, either Italian or foreign, registered in the Italian or EU business register. The production unit must be located in Lazio (even if acquired by the disbursement request).

• Non-repayable grant up to €10 million per project
• Aid intensity varies (10% to 70%) based on project type, company size, and location

Rolling application on GeCoWEB Plus from August 28, 2025 (12:00) to March 5, 2026 (17:00)

The Lazio Region, through the Lazio ERDF Regional Program 2021-2027, intends to strengthen the regional production ecosystem in the field of strategic, digital, and sustainable technologies, in line with the new Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (EU Reg. 2024/795).

The objective of the call is to support projects with high technological and strategic impact for the EU, favoring the development or manufacturing of critical technologies in the following areas:

• advanced digital and deep tech technologies;
• clean and efficient technologies, including net-zero emission ones;
• biotechnologies, including critical medicines.

The call is open to companies of any size with a production unit in Lazio (or to be located before the first disbursement), also in aggregated form. Research Organizations can participate as partners for experimental development activities.

Projects must include, also alternatively:

• investments in tangible and intangible assets (Type A);
• experimental development activities (Type B).

Only in the case of Projects that include Investments (A), whether or not they include Experimental Development Activities (B), accessory interventions are eligible for: personnel training (Type C); consulting for industrialization/commercialization (Type D) – reserved for SMEs; premium for surety bond guaranteeing the advance payment (Type E).

The grant consists of a non-repayable contribution up to 10 million euros per project. The contribution percentages vary according to the company size, location, and type of intervention.

Projects must be completed and accounted for within 24 months from the Grant Date; the deadline is 36 months for Projects with Eligible Costs exceeding 10 million euros.

The procedure is on a first-come, first-served basis: applications, evaluated in chronological order, can be submitted on the GeCoWEB Plus platform from 12:00 PM on July 17, 2025, until 5:00 PM on March 5, 2026.

The Lazio Region, as part of the ERDF Regional Program 2021-2027, aims to strengthen the sustainable growth and competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, supporting projects for the expansion, diversification, and modernization of existing production units through the adoption of innovative and sustainable technologies. Initiatives aimed at starting new activities or merely replacing plants are excluded.

The total allocation is 40 million euros, under the Lazio ERDF Regional Program 2021–2027 – Specific Objective 1.3.

SMEs, individually, with a registered office or production unit in Lazio (or to be acquired before the first disbursement) can apply. Adequate financial capacity and the possession of requirements to contract with the Public Administration are required.

The minimum investment is 500,000 euros, of which at least 75% must be for tangible and intangible investments. Expenses for personnel training and support services for industrialization and commercialization are also eligible. The premium for the surety bond for the mandatory advance payment is also included among the eligible costs.

The contribution is a non-repayable grant, up to a maximum of 10 million euros per project, with intensity varying from 10% to 70% based on the investment’s location, the company’s size, and the type of intervention. The possibility of applying the de minimis regime is also foreseen.

Projects must be completed within 18 months from the grant (24 or 36 months for investments exceeding 3 or 10 million euros respectively). Progress reports are expected, and a 40% advance payment against a surety bond.

The procedure is on a first-come, first-served basis: applications, evaluated in chronological order, can be submitted on the GeCoWEB Plus platform from 12:00 PM on July 17, 2025, until 5:00 PM on March 5, 2026, unless funds are exhausted earlier.

The Lazio Region promotes the VENTURE TECH Lazio fund, an innovative financial instrument co-financed by the Lazio ERDF Regional Program 2021-2027, aimed at strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem through structured investments in high-tech innovative start-ups and SMEs, with the objective of attracting investors and supporting professional operators who combine capital and growth services through specific acceleration programs based in Lazio. The initiative focuses in particular on deep tech, hard tech, tech transfer initiatives, and STEP Technologies.

The measure is aimed at qualified entities (Active Investors) who provide companies with both capital and development services (such as accelerators, incubators, venture builders, etc.) through specific acceleration programs based in Lazio.

The instrument operates through an association agreement between the Lazio Region and Active Investors. Active Investors must contribute at least 30% of the total capital (of which at least 20% from their own resources).

The VTL Commitment for each Agreement is not less than 1.5 million euros and does not exceed 6 million euros.

Only small enterprises registered for no more than 5 years in the business register and operating in Lazio (or committing to locate within the regional territory) are eligible for investments prepared through the association agreements.

The duration of the VTL measure is set until December 31, 2035. Each Agreement has two phases:

• Investment period: from the signing of the Agreement until December 31, 2029 (or earlier specified date);
• Divestment period: from the day following the end of the investment period and in any case no later than December 31, 2035.

Investment proposals can be submitted exclusively from 12:00 PM on July 25, 2025, and no later than 12:00 PM on October 13, 2025, through the GeCoWEB Plus platform.

The Simplified Logistics Zone (ZLS) was introduced under the 2018 Budget Law to boost investment in port areas of the more developed regions of Central and Northern Italy. The decree of March 4, 2024, established implementation rules, and the first zones were created on April 17, 2024.

The Lazio Region proposed the creation of a ZLS as part of the 2024 Strategic Development Plan, with the following goals:

• Support investments by local SMEs;
• Attract new operators to increase employment;
• Strengthen regional and interregional value chains;
• Improve logistics infrastructure and the role of ports;
• Enhance Lazio’s coastal territory.

Key Measures Include:

• Administrative simplification for businesses;
• Improved port and customs services;
• Strengthened road and rail connections;
• Tax and financial incentives for companies;
• Involvement of the EIB and other public finance instruments.

The municipalities involved in Lazio’s ZLS include: Civitavecchia, Fiumicino, Gaeta, Rome, Santa Palomba/Pomezia, Guidonia, Orte, Fondi, Fara in Sabina, and Colleferro.

Companies operating within the ZLS will benefit from:

• Tax credits within EU limits;
• Investment incentives funded by the Region;
• Bureaucratic simplification to reduce time and costs;
• A possible enclosed customs-free zone, with tax and customs advantages.

InvestEU is the European Union program for 2021–2027 aimed at revitalizing private investment across the EU and fostering long-term competitiveness and growth.

The program consists of three pillars:

• The Fund (InvestEU Fund)Provides an EU budget guarantee of approximately €26.2 billion to cover the risks of financing provided by partner institutions. The Fund supports high-value-added projects aligned with EU policy objectives that might otherwise face difficulties in accessing finance.
• The Advisory HubOffers support and advisory services throughout the entire investment cycle, helping to design, structure, and implement projects.
• The Portal (InvestEU Portal)Provides easily accessible data to promote projects seeking funding.

The InvestEU program has launched several initiatives in the Lazio Region to support economic growth and innovation, including European Investment Fund guarantees to Illimity Bank to improve access to finance for Italian SMEs, supporting their green and digital transition.

The Development Contract is Italy’s primary national incentive tool for supporting large-scale strategic and innovative production investment programs, including the attraction of foreign investments.

The Development Contract is available to Italian and foreign companies of any size that invest in Italy. A maximum of five companies can participate in each contract, which may be implemented jointly, including through network contracts.

The Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy uses this tool to support:

• Industrial development programs, including processing and marketing of agricultural products;
• Tourism development programs, which may include, up to 20% of total investment, the development of commercial activities;
• Environmental protection programs.

A Development Contract may include one or more investment projects and related research, development, and innovation projects.

The minimum investment required is €20 million, reduced to €7.5 million for agricultural product processing and tourism projects located in inner areas or involving the recovery of disused facilities.

Incentives may take the following forms, individually or in combination, up to a maximum of 75% of eligible expenses:

• Non-repayable grants;
• Soft loans.

The amount and type of incentives depend on the type of project, its location, and company size, and are finalized during the negotiation phase.

The development program must start after the application is submitted and be completed within 36 months from the date of the grant approval.

For large-scale programs involving investments of at least €50 million and considered of strategic importance, a dedicated procedure is available: the Development Agreement. This provides fast-track access to funding, shorter processing times, and greater involvement of relevant public authorities.

Italia Startup Visa was created with “Destinazione Italia” (Destination Italy), the government’s plan designed to attract foreign investment and strengthen the competitiveness of Italian companies. Visas are a tool to regulate flows and therefore be used as an incentive to attract and retain talent and innovation, and in particular to facilitate the entry into Italy of innovative entrepreneurs.

In this context, the Decreto Flussi 2013 (Flows Decree 2013) (published in Official Gazette no. 297 of 19 December 2013) introduced a new category of entry for self-employment: foreign citizens who intend to establish innovative startups (pursuant to Law 221/2012), provided that the legal requirements are met and that the activity leads to a self-employment relationship with the company.

Citizens of non-EU countries who intend to establish an innovative startup in Italy, as defined in Article 25, paragraph 2, of Legislative Decree 179/2012, may apply for a self-employment startup visa. In establishing the company, the application can be supported, including financially, by certified incubators referred to in Article 25, paragraph 5, of the same decree.

Direct Application

The process is entirely digitalized and consists of the following phases:

• Phase 1 – Application Submission: The non-EU citizen sends a completed application form and a certification regarding the possession of financial availability of not less than 50,000 euros, to be used for the establishment of the new innovative startup, together with their passport, to the address italiastartupvisa@mise.gov.it.
• Phase 2 – Evaluation: The ISV Technical Committee evaluates the proposal within 30 days and, if positive, issues the Nulla Osta (clearance) for the visa.
• Phase 3 – Visa Issuance: Within 3 months of the Nulla Osta, the candidate goes to the Italian consular office to obtain the self-employment startup visa, valid for one year.

Application through a Certified Incubator

Non-EU citizens who are accepted by a certified incubator do not need to submit the standard form, but rather a certification from the legal representative of the incubator confirming their willingness to assist in the creation of the startup. The law (Article 25, paragraph 5) defines certified incubators as limited companies, also established in cooperative form, that support the birth and development of innovative startups by offering physical incubation services.

Documentation certifying the availability of financial resources remains mandatory. The Nulla Osta, in this case, functions as a documentary and legal verification, while the substantive evaluation of the business model is entrusted to the incubator.

Application from Entrepreneurial Teams

The Italia Startup Visa program allows groups of up to 5 non-EU citizens (up to 10 in exceptional cases) to apply jointly to found an innovative startup in Italy. Each member must be a co-founder and work independently, meeting the requirements for the self-employment visa, without the obligation of possessing a minimum share of capital. The team must demonstrate adequate financial resources, with an indicative minimum threshold of 50,000 euros overall, evaluated case by case by the Technical Committee. Funds can come from one or more members or from third-party investors. The application must be submitted with a single cover letter.

Application for “Aggregation” into an Already Established Innovative Startup

The ISV Nulla Osta can also be granted to non-EU citizens who intend to assume a managerial role in an innovative startup that has been active for at least three years and is registered in the special section of the Companies Register.