Digital or ecological transition

We can strengthen the international competitiveness of your business, supporting its digital and ecological transition and consolidating the capital.

All businesses, in particular Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.

This financing is also for:

• SMEs in production chains;
• Businesses with Interests in the Western Balkans;
• Businesses located in areas affected by flooding since 1 May 2023 onwards;
• Strengthening the capital of businesses with an international vocation

Duration of the financing: 6 years, of which a 2-year grace period.

A subsidised loan with up to 50% of the total approved amount that may be used to support investments in the Digital and/or Ecological Transition. The remaining 50% may be used instead to consolidate the business’s capital.

Plus, this may be increased up to:

• 70% of the amount approved for businesses whose energy costs have increased by 100%, and that have an export turnover of at least 20% when applying for the loan.
• 80% of the amount approved for Businesses with Interests in the Western Balkans;
• 90% of the amount approved for Businesses located in areas affected by flooding as from 1 May 2023 identified in Annex 1 of Italian Decree Law 61/2023 and flooding as from 2 November 2023 identified in Annex A of Italian Decree Law 145/2023.

Maximum amount that may be financed: the maximum amount that may be applied for is equal to the lesser of:

• 35% of average revenues resulting from the last two Financial Statements (line item A1 of the income statement);
• €500,000 for Micro Businesses; €2,500,000 for SMEs and innovative SMEs; €5,000,000 for Other businesses
• Minimum amount equal to €10,000

Maximum grant: up to 10% of the amount of the Subsidised Loan applied for, and in any case up to a maximum amount of €100,000), which is disbursed as an incentive to Applicants if they meet the requirements indicated in the reference documentation (Operating circular 4/394/2023) available at the bottom of the page.

View the Contract Proposal template >>. Note: the Contract Proposal will be sent by SIMEST only after approval by the Financial Support Committee; the contract must be signed for acceptance and sent to SIMEST exclusively from the Portal.

• From 09.00 hours on 25 July 2024, businesses can access the Portal to compile and submit loan applications for the new instrument “Potenziamento dei mercati africani” (“Strengthening African markets”), and for the new conditions dedicated to Africa of the instruments “Inserimento mercati” (“Entry on markets”), “Certificazioni e consulenze” (“Certification and advisory services”), “Fiere ed Eventi” (“Trade fairs and events”), “E-commerce” and “Temporary Manager”.
• From 18.00 hours on 24 July until 09.00 hours on 25 July, the Portal will be offline for updates, in view of the opening, and it will not be possible to use it.

See how to access the Portal

Compiling the application

• To compile the application, you must (i) attach all necessary documentation, as indicated in the Circular, (ii) give details of the legal representative, (iii) give details of the beneficial owner of the Applicant company, (iv) upload the contract of the dedicated current account, (v) upload the articles of association of the company. All documents must be digitally signed.
• In any case, submitting an application will not entitle the applicant to have the financing approved/granted. Approval/granting is subject to the application being complete, access requirements being met, the successful completion of SIMEST’s application review and the actual availability of financial resources, as well as approval from the Financial Support Committee.