Key data
| Regulation | Order TED/1171/2026, of 28 October |
|---|---|
| Publication | 6 November 2026 |
| Entry into force | 7 November 2026 |
| Affected parties | Companies and self-employed workers in just transition zones (coal mine closures, thermal and nuclear power plants) |
| Category | Grants and Subsidies |
| Validity period | 2022–2027 |
| Modified regulations | Order TED/1240/2022 and Order TED/1239/2022 |
| Applicable de minimis limit | €300,000 in three years (EU Regulation 2023/2831) |
If your company or business is in an area affected by coal mine closures, thermal or nuclear power plants, this regulatory modification significantly expands your access to public financing. The Order TED/1171/2026 modifies the regulatory bases of two grant lines from the Institute for Just Transition with the aim of increasing absorption of the European Just Transition Fund, reducing entry barriers that were excluding many local businesses.
The changes are immediate: they entered into force on 7 November 2026, one day after their publication in the BOE.
What does this regulation establish?
Order TED/1171/2026 modifies two grant lines from the Institute for Just Transition. Below are the specific changes before and after:
| Aspect | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment (small projects) | €30,000 | €6,000 |
| Minimum execution threshold | 15% in the first 9 months | 8% at the moment of requesting extension |
| Moment of execution verification | At 9 months from start | When requesting extension |
| Calculation of partial revocations | Affected the total grant awarded | Affect only the non-compliant component (investment or employment) |
| De minimis limit | Previous regulation | €300,000 in three years (EU Regulation 2023/2831) |
| Eligible sectors (small projects) | General business projects | Includes bars, shops and services in municipalities facing demographic challenges |
The change in the calculation of partial revocations is especially relevant: if a company meets the employment target but not the investment target (or vice versa), the penalty applies only to the non-compliant part, not to the total grant received. This significantly reduces the financial risk of applying for these grants.
Economic and operational impact
The reduction of the minimum investment threshold from €30,000 to €6,000 represents an 80% reduction, multiplying the number of eligible businesses. Until now, a bar or small shop in a mining village could not access these grants because their investment project did not reach €30,000. Now it can.
The flexibilization of the execution requirement also has a direct operational impact: companies that start projects with typical delays (permits, construction, supplies) no longer face automatic loss of the grant for not having executed 15% in the first nine months. The new threshold of 8% at the moment of requesting extension provides more real room for maneuver.
The new de minimis ceiling of €300,000 in three years, adapted to EU Regulation 2023/2831, expands the space for accumulated grants for each company, which can be decisive for businesses that have already received other public subsidies in the last three fiscal years.
Who does it affect?
- Companies and self-employed workers located in just transition zones (municipalities affected by coal mine closures, thermal and nuclear power plants).
- Bars, shops and service businesses in municipalities facing demographic challenges within these zones, which were previously excluded by the €30,000 threshold.
- Companies that already have grants awarded and are in the execution phase, especially those requesting or having requested extensions.
- General business projects generating employment in these zones, both large and small.
- Advisors and managers processing subsidies from the Institute for Just Transition for their clients.
Practical example
Imagine a bar owner in a mining municipality in Asturias who wants to renovate the kitchen and expand the premises. The investment project amounts to €12,000. Before this modification, they were automatically excluded from small project grants because they did not reach the minimum of €30,000. With the new threshold of €6,000, their project is eligible.
Furthermore, if that same bar receives the grant and after six months has only executed 7% of the investment due to supplier delays, they no longer automatically lose the grant: they can request an extension and, at that moment, the required threshold is only 8% execution, which they already meet.
On the other hand, if at the end of the project they have met the employment target but have invested less than planned, the partial revocation will affect only the investment component, not the total grant awarded. This can mean retaining a significant portion of the subsidy that would have been lost entirely before.
What should companies do now?
- Verify if your municipality is included in the just transition zones recognized by the Institute for Just Transition. This is the essential prerequisite.
- Check if your project exceeds €6,000 in investment: if you previously ruled out applying for the grant for not reaching €30,000, you may now be eligible.
- If you have a grant awarded and are in the execution phase, check what percentage you have executed before requesting an extension: the new threshold is 8%, not 15%.
- Calculate your de minimis accumulation: with the new ceiling of €300,000 in three years (EU Regulation 2023/2831), you may have more room than you thought to accumulate public grants.
- Consult with your advisor the new calculation of partial revocations if you risk failing to meet any of the commitments (investment or employment) separately.
- Submit your application as soon as possible: the calls for the 2022–2027 period have limited deadlines and European Just Transition Fund resources are finite.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum investment to access small project grants in just transition zones?
As of 7 November 2026, the minimum investment is €6,000, compared to the €30,000 previously required. This change is included in Order TED/1171/2026 and expands access to bars, shops and services in municipalities facing demographic challenges.
What happens if I don't execute 15% of the investment in the first 9 months?
With the new regulation, that requirement no longer applies at 9 months. The minimum execution threshold has been reduced to 8% and is verified at the moment of requesting the extension, not at nine months from the start. This provides more flexibility for projects with typical delays.
How does the new calculation of partial revocations affect my grant?
Before, if you failed to meet any condition (investment or employment), the revocation could affect the total grant awarded. Now, partial revocation only affects the non-compliant component: if you meet the employment target but not the investment target, only the portion proportional to the investment is revoked, not the entire grant.
What is the new de minimis limit for these grants?
The de minimis limit has been adapted to EU Regulation 2023/2831, which raises the ceiling to €300,000 in three years. This expands the margin of accumulated grants for each company compared to the previous regulation.
What companies can apply for these grants in just transition zones?
Companies and self-employed workers located in areas affected by coal mine closures, thermal and nuclear power plants can apply. With the new modification, bars, shops and service businesses in municipalities facing demographic challenges within these zones are also eligible, provided the investment exceeds €6,000.
Official source
View complete regulation in official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-23332
