- European Commission approves €30 million Portuguese State aid for agriculture, fishery and aquaculture.
- Aid takes the form of direct grants with a maximum of €50,000 per company until 31 December 2026.
- Fuel aid amounts to €0.10 per litre of agricultural or marine diesel for consumption between 1 April and 30 June 2026.
- Scheme approved under METSAF adopted on 29 April 2026 following rising fuel and fertiliser prices due to the Middle East crisis.
European Commission approves Portuguese support scheme
The European Commission has approved a €30 million Portuguese State aid scheme to support companies active in the primary production of agricultural, fishery and aquaculture products. The scheme was adopted under the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF), adopted by the Commission on 29 April 2026.
Scope and conditions of the aid
The scheme runs until 31 December 2026 and is granted as direct grants calibrated on the price increases for fuel and fertilisers. The maximum amount is €50,000 per company.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Total budget | €30 million |
| Target group | Companies in primary production (agriculture, fishery, aquaculture) |
| Form of aid | Direct grants |
| Maximum per company | €50,000 |
| Fertiliser aid (agriculture) | Fixed amount based on hectares and number of animals |
| Fuel aid | €0.10 per litre of agricultural/marine diesel, 1 April–30 June 2026 |
| Expiry | 31 December 2026 |
The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which allows Member States to support the development of certain economic activities subject to certain conditions.
Commission's assessment
The Commission concluded that the scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to facilitate the development of an economic activity and does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest. The aid is granted temporarily to support the development of companies in primary production and is subject to a clearly estimated budget.
Background: the METSAF framework
"METSAF is a targeted and temporary framework to address the effects of the crisis on some of the most exposed sectors of the economy: agriculture, fishery, transport and energy-intensive industries."
The temporary framework is in place until 31 December 2026, and the Commission will keep the content, scope and duration under review in the light of developments in the Middle East and the general economic situation.
METSAF allows Member States to provide support in several forms:
- Aid based on actual consumption to cover part of the price increases for fuel or fertilisers
- A simplified approach for small amounts of aid
- A temporary adjustment to the Clean Industrial Deal State aid Framework allowing for further flexibility and higher aid intensities to address electricity price spikes
The Commission emphasises that the transition towards a clean economy remains the long-term solution to shield EU companies from the effects of global energy shocks, while METSAF allows Member States to act immediately.
The case is registered under number SA.124487 and can be found in the State aid register.