Interreg Instrument aims to enhance the European territorial cooperation through four cooperation strands between (border) regions:

• Interreg A: Cross-Border Strand (for neighbouring countries)
• Interreg B: Transnational Strand (for larger regions and sea basins)
• Interreg C: Interregional Strand (for European regions to enhance Cohesion Policy)
• Interreg D: Outermost Regions Strand (for EU’s outermost regions and their neighbouring non-EU territories)

In total, Interreg comprises 86 programmes for the 2021-2027 period. Portugal participates in 10 of these programmes, including:

• Under Interreg A: Cross-Border Strand, Portugal is eligible for:
  • Interreg Espanha-Portugal (POCTEP)*

• Under Interreg B: Transnational Strand, Portugal is eligible for:
  • Interreg Atlantic Area*
  • Interreg EURO Mediterranean (EURO MED)
  • Interreg NEXT Mediterranean Sea Basin (NEXT MED)
  • Interreg South West Europe (SUDOE)*

• Under Interreg C: Interregional Strand, Portugal is eligible for:
  • Interreg ESPON
  • Interact
  • Interreg Europe*
  • URBACT

• Under Interreg D: Outermost Regions Strand, Portugal is eligible for:
  • Interreg Madeira-Azores-Canary Islands (MAC)

The instruments marked with (*) are especially relevant for health sector entities.

Interreg Spain-Portugal (POCTEP)

• Generally, open to all types of legal entities (incl. public administrations, clusters, R&D organisations, universities, industry, end-users, and civil society actors), depending on the call specifications. Private entities cannot be Lead Beneficiaries.
• Eligible regions in Portugal: Norte, Centro, Alentejo, and Algarve.

Interreg Atlantic Area

• Generally open to all types of legal entities (including public administrations, clusters, R&D organisations, universities, industry, end users and civil society representatives), depending on the call.
• Eligible regions in Portugal: all mainland and island regions.

Interreg South West Europe (SUDOE)

• Generally open to all types of legal entities (including public administrations, clusters, R&D organisations, universities, industry, end users and civil society stakeholders), depending on the call.
• Eligible regions in Portugal: Norte, Centro, Lisbon, Alentejo and Algarve.

Interreg Europe

• Open to public institutions (e.g., public authorities or bodies responsible for the development and/or implementation of regional development policies and investment programmes for jobs and growth) and private non-profit organisations (e.g., business support organisations, environmental organisations, education and research institutions).
• Eligible regions in Portugal: all mainland and island regions.

Interreg Spain-Portugal (POCTEP)

Policy projects aligned with POCTEP priority objectives:

• A smarter Europe
• A greener, low-carbon Europe
• A more social and inclusive Europe
• A Europe closer to citizens
• Better governance of cooperation

Interreg Atlantic Area

Policy projects aligned with the Interreg Atlantic Area priority areas:

• Blue Innovation and Competitiveness
• Blue and Green Environment
• Blue and Sustainable Tourism and Culture
• Better Governance of Cooperation

Interreg South West Europe (SUDOE)

Policy projects aligned with the SUDOE priority areas:

• Research and innovation
• SME competitiveness
• Low-carbon economy
• Tackling climate change
• Environment and resource efficiency

Interreg Europe

Policy projects aligned with the Interreg Europe priority areas:

• A smarter Europe
• A greener Europe
• A more connected Europe
• A more social Europe
• A Europe closer to citizens
• Better regional governance

Interreg Spain-Portugal (POCTEP)

• Variable budget and co-financing rates.

Interreg Atlantic Area

• Variable budget and co-financing rates.

Interreg South West Europe (SUDOE)

• Variable budget and co-financing rates.

Interreg Europe

• Variable budget and co-financing rates.