Sepides Next Generation EU 2026 Aid: What Changes in Regulatory Bases

Key data

Companies working with Recovery Plan aid managed by Sepides have a regulatory change to review urgently. The Order ITU/498/2026, of 19 May, modifies the regulatory bases of various aid programs managed by Sepides, E.P.E., a public business entity attached to the Ministry of Industry. The regulation has been in force since 19 May 2026, although it was published in the BOE on 22 May.

The context is relevant: these programs are financed with Next Generation EU funds, which implies strict conditions imposed by the European Commission. Changes to regulatory bases may respond to both European requirements and adjustments derived from experience accumulated in previous calls.

What does this regulation establish?

Order ITU/498/2026 modifies several previous ministerial orders that regulated the bases of different aid programs managed by Sepides. Although the full text of the order details each specific change with precision, the aspects that may be modified include:

• Eligibility criteria: who can apply for aid and under what conditions.
• Application procedures: how and when to submit applications.
• Justification requirements: what documentation and evidence must be provided to justify the use of funds.
• Aid amounts: the applicable amounts or co-financing percentages.

The regulatory adaptation probably responds to European Commission requirements or to experience accumulated in managing previous calls. This type of modification is common in the lifecycle of Next Generation EU programs, especially as execution and fund justification deadlines approach with Brussels.

Economic and operational impact

The direct impact for companies depends on the specific program they are enrolled in or plan to access. However, there are operational consequences that affect any entity involved:

• Applications in progress: if you already have an application submitted or in preparation, you must verify that it meets the new conditions before continuing the process.
• Pending justifications: if you have aid awarded and pending justification, the new requirements may affect the documentation you need to prepare.
• New applications: any company planning to apply for aid from 19 May 2026 onwards must apply the modified regulatory bases, not the previous ones.
• Non-compliance risk: submitting documentation or applications based on the old bases may result in rejections or requests for clarification that delay obtaining funds.

Since Next Generation EU funds have execution and justification deadlines with the European Commission, any delay in adapting internal processes may have consequences for spending eligibility.

Who does it affect?

• Companies with aid applications in progress in programs managed by Sepides with Next Generation EU funds.
• Companies with aid already awarded that have the justification phase pending.
• Companies planning to apply for aid in upcoming calls for Sepides programs within the Recovery Plan framework.
• Advisors and consultants managing Next Generation EU aid applications for their clients.
• CFOs and financial directors who have planned these funds in their investment or financing plans.
• Public and private entities benefiting from programs managed by Sepides, E.P.E., attached to the Ministry of Industry.

Practical example

An industrial company that submitted in 2025 an aid application to a program managed by Sepides within the Recovery Plan framework, and which is pending resolution or in the justification phase, should act as follows:

First, identify which specific program it is enrolled in and check if that program is among those modified by Order ITU/498/2026. Second, review whether the eligibility criteria or justification requirements have changed since submitting the application. Third, if there are relevant changes, adapt the justification documentation or contact Sepides to clarify how the new bases apply to your file.

Failing to act in time could mean that the justification of expenses is not accepted, with the consequent risk of having to return the funds received or losing the awarded aid.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify affected programs: consult the full text of the Order ITU/498/2026 in the BOE to determine which specific Sepides programs have had their regulatory bases modified.
2. Review your current situation: if you have applications in progress, aid awarded pending justification, or new applications in preparation, check whether the new bases affect your file.
3. Update documentation: adapt any application or justification in preparation to the new eligibility criteria, procedures and justification requirements.
4. Consult with Sepides: if you have doubts about how the changes apply to your specific file, contact Sepides, E.P.E., directly as the managing body of the programs.
5. Review execution deadlines: Next Generation EU funds have strict execution and justification deadlines with the European Commission. Ensure that regulatory changes do not affect your committed deadlines.