New conditions apply to the large-scale investment grant from 8 August 2026. The changes reduced both the minimum investment amount and the number of jobs that must be created. Separate, lower investment thresholds were also introduced for priority technology projects and the defence industry.
The maximum grant remains up to 20 million euros per project.
What has changed?
The most important changes are summarised in the comparison table.
| Condition | Previously | From 08.08.2026 |
|---|---|---|
| General minimum investment | 100 million € | 70 million € |
| Priority technology | no separate threshold | 35 million € |
| Defence industry | no separate threshold | 20 million € |
| New jobs required | 30 | 20 |
| Maximum grant | 20 million € | 20 million € |
Legal basis: § 4 lg 2, § 6 lg-d 1–1² and § 8 of the regulation.
Who qualifies for the 35 million euro investment threshold?
The minimum investment for a priority technology project is 35 million euros.
Under the regulation, such projects may include:
- manufacturing net-zero technologies;
- decarbonising energy-intensive industry;
- projects involving critical and strategic raw materials;
- strategic digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, microelectronics, quantum technologies and cybersecurity;
- biotechnologies;
- food and beverage production.
The project must meet at least one of the conditions set out in § 3 lg-s 2 of the regulation.
Legal basis: § 3 lg 2 and § 6 lg 1¹.
Defence industry investment can start from 20 million euros
For a defence industry project, the minimum eligible expenditure is 20 million euros.
For the purposes of the regulation, the defence industry is defined by reference to the production of goods or activities specified in the Strategic Goods Act.
Legal basis: § 3 lg 1 p 3¹ and § 6 lg 1².
The job creation requirement has been reduced from 30 to 20
The grant recipient must create at least 20 new jobs in Estonia. Previously, the requirement was at least 30 jobs.
The jobs must be created within one year of project completion and maintained for at least three years. The average gross monthly salary for these jobs must also meet the requirement set out in the regulation.
Legal basis: § 4 lg 2 and § 21 lg 2 p 3.
How much funding is available?
The maximum grant is 20 million euros per project.
The general maximum grant rate is 10%. This may rise to 15% if the investment is made outside Harjumaa and the average gross monthly salary for the jobs created exceeds the level specified in the regulation by a factor of 1,5.
State aid rules may further limit the maximum grant amount or rate for a particular project.
Legal basis: § 8.
Who can apply?
A company entered in the Estonian Commercial Register that meets the requirements set out in §-s 12 of the regulation may apply for the grant.
Before submitting an application, applicants must complete a preliminary consultation with EIS (Enterprise and Innovation Foundation) and receive a positive preliminary assessment of their project plan. The preliminary assessment is valid for six months.
Projects may generally last up to 48 months. Project activities must not begin, and commitments required to carry them out must not be entered into, before the application is submitted.
Legal basis: § 9, § 11 and § 12.
When can applications be submitted?
Applications may be accepted on a rolling basis or through application rounds. The regulation does not specify the opening date of any particular application round.
EIS publishes information on the opening and closing of applications, the budget and the application procedure on its website.
What should a company planning an investment do now?
Before preparing the project, it is worth checking:
- whether the project falls under the 20, 35 or 70 million euro investment threshold;
- which State aid basis applies to the project;
- whether the requirement to create at least 20 new jobs can be met;
- how the investment location affects the grant rate and assessment;
- whether the project plan is sufficiently developed for the EIS preliminary consultation.
Summary
The changes introduced in 2026. reduced the general minimum threshold for large-scale investments from 100 million to 70 million euros and the job creation requirement from 30 to 20.
The minimum investment is 35 million euros for priority technology projects and 20 million euros for the defence industry. The maximum grant remained at 20 million euros.
Sources
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry regulation nr 5 of 4.02.2025, “Large-scale Investment Grant”:
- version in force 10.02.2025–07.08.2026;
- version in force from 08.08.2026.