As of July 31 ST 2021, there were 3.283 applications to SIFIDE (Fiscal Incentive Systems for Business Research & Development), related to the fiscal year of 2020. In total, companies declared investments in R&D of EUR 1,558 M and requested a tax credit of around EUR 745 M (over 36% than in the previous year).
Compared to fiscal year of 2019, there was an increase of 38% in the number of applications, 27% in investments declared by companies and 24% in total projects, which exceeded 8.000.
Among the sectors with the highest volume of applications and declared investment in R&D between 2015 and 2020, ANI (National Innovation Agency) highlights “information and communication activities”, “technical, scientific and support services” and “wholesale and retail trade”, in services; and “pharmaceutical products and preparations”, “computer, electrical, electronic and optical equipment”, “food and beverage industries” and “transport material”, in the manufacturing industries. It should be noted that, in 2020, the North region presented 41% of the application for SIFIDE (1.343), followed by the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon (28%) and the Center region (23%).
