You need to hire, but the cost of the role weighs heavily
IEFP job creation measures co-fund permanent hiring and self-employment creation. We check which measures your company can use on its next hire.
- Direct co-funding of hiring costs
- Higher rates for young people, long-term unemployed and inland areas
- Temporary social security exemption or reduction, where applicable
Ongoing measures, subject to budget — confirmed in the diagnosis
Start PME assessment
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Funding
Calculated for your project
Programmes
Portugal 2030, RRP and others
Region
Mainland Portugal
Eligible businesses
Companies about to hire on permanent contracts, Growing micro and small businesses, Unemployed people creating their own job, New businesses creating jobs
The opportunity
Why this funding is worth exploring
The incentive reduces the financial burden of the investment and accelerates projects already planned by the business.
Lower hiring cost
The support covers part of the cost of the role in the first months.
Real uplifts
Priority profiles and low-density areas increase the amount granted.
Also for self-employment
A specific strand supports creating your own job and new businesses.
Who can apply
- Employers in good standing with tax and social security
- Permanent or fixed-term hiring, depending on the measure
- Net job creation compared with the current headcount
- Application submitted before the contract starts
- Keeping the job for the required period
What it can fund
- Co-funding of the cost of the job created
- Support for unemployed people creating their own job
- Uplifts by worker profile and location
- Temporary social security contribution relief
- Entrepreneurship projects that create jobs
Not sure whether your project qualifies? Receive an answer within 24 business hours.
Estimate my grantKeep exploring
Other funding linked to this project
Many companies combine more than one incentive. Check the related pages before deciding.
How Start PME works
From assessment to payment, with support at every stage
We work through clear stages so you always know what happens next.
- 1
Free assessment
We review the business profile, investment and region to confirm eligibility and the applicable rate.
- 2
Strategy and eligibility
We select the right call, structure the project and maximise the available uplifts.
- 3
Application submitted
We prepare the project description, investment plan and forecasts, and submit everything on time.
- 4
Delivery and payments
We support procurement, payment claims and reports through to project completion.
5,000+
Applications submitted
€50M+
Approved eligible expenditure
€27M+
Approved non-repayable funding
82%
Approval rate
Experience and trust
Trusted by the clients we have supported
Proven results and genuine feedback from Start PME clients.
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers to the questions holding back your decision
Find out in two minutes whether funding is available for your business
Free assessment, reply within 24 business hours and no obligation.

