The 13th amendment of the Action " Support for the establishment and operation of new tourism SMEs" of the Operational Programme "Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPANEK)", NSRF 2014 - 2020 has been published. The new amendment extends the duration of the implementation of investment projects from 42 to 48 months.

More specifically, in the DETAILED CALL of the ACTION, the following chapters are amended:

Chapter 6.2. PROJECT BUDGET – DURATION OF IMPLEMENTATION', the following subsection: Action schedule

The deadline for the completion of the funded investments may not exceed forty-two (42) months and one hundred and thirty-two (132) days in total from the date of issue of the Integration Decision. Where a period fixed in accordance with the above expires on a non-working day, it shall be extended until the first working day. Exceptionally, especially and only for those investment projects whose date of issue of the decision to join the Action is later than 11-06-2020, their completion deadline cannot exceed forty-two (42) months from the date of issue of the Integration Decision.

When, based on the above defined durations of the implementation of the investment projects, the expected completion dates of the physical and financial object are later than 31-12-2023, then the deadline for completion is set at 31-12-2023.

It is noted that the required permits for the implementation of the Investment Plan (e.g. building permit) are required to have been issued up to the first (1st) disbursement of a public grant (excluding the advance payment)

Replaced as follows:

The deadline for the completion of the funded investments may not exceed forty-eight (48) months and one hundred and thirty-two (132) days in total from the date of issue of the Integration Decision. Where a period fixed in accordance with the above expires on a non-working day, it shall be extended until the first working day.
When, based on the above defined duration of the implementation of the investment projects, the expected completion date of the physical and financial object is later than 31-12-2023, then the deadline for completion is set at 31-12-2023.

It is noted that the required permits for the implementation of the Investment Plan (e.g. building permit) are required to have been issued until the first (1st) disbursement of a public grant (excluding the advance payment).

In Chapter 10. PROCEDURE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION – MONITORING OF OPERATIONS, Section 10.1 MONITORING OF OPERATIONS – VERIFICATIONS – CERTIFICATIONS, Point (a) Request for Verification – Certification

In the last paragraph, the words 'In this case the sixty (60) calendar day period referred to in the preceding paragraph shall not apply' shall be deleted.'

B. For the rest, the provisions of the decision with A.P. 5732/713/A3/07.11.2017 (SAA: ΩΞ16465Χ8-Ο4Θ) apply. As amended and in force, with the annexes thereto as an integral part thereof.

C. An integral part of the decision is the attached Detailed Call of the Action and its Annexes where all amendments and additions have been incorporated.

Identity of the action of tourism enterprises

The Action aims to enhance entrepreneurship in the tourism sector. Aid aimed at the creation of new micro, small and medium-sized tourism enterprises.

Support for the establishment and operation of new tourism SMEs - Budget of the Action

The budget amounts to 689 million euros for all regions of the country. The 500.6 million euros come from EPANEK and 188.4 million euros from the Regional Operational Programmes).

Beneficiaries of the Action of tourism enterprises

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises that will be active in the field of Tourism and belong to the following categories:

• Category of Beneficiaries A: Businesses that will be established from the date of issue of the announcement of the action. They should have the SMR of the investment until the first disbursement of the grant.
• Category of Beneficiaries B: Tourist Accommodation establishments that have been established and have acquired, by the date of issue of the announcement of the action, at least one of the eligible SMR 55 and / or SMRs: 41.20.20.01, 41.20.20.02, do not have a license (mark) of operation, the VAT number of the enterprise has not developed any economic activity. They must also have a building permit for the specific tourist accommodation.

It is noted that the required permits for the implementation of the Investment Plan (e.g. building permit) are required to have been issued until the first (1st) disbursement of a public grant (excluding the advance payment).

Amount of subsidy

The amount of grant is from 25,000 euros to 400,000 euros.45% of the eligible costs are financed. In the case of recruitment of new staff for at least 0.2 SRM of paid employment, the funding rate is 50%.

Basic conditions for participation

Beneficiaries should:

• provide at the time of submission of the application for funding evidence of securing the Private Participation in at least 60% of the proposed (subsidized) budget of the Investment Plan
• invest in only one Region
• commit to operate or to operate legally by obtaining the appropriate operating license until the completion of the investment
• submit one investment proposal per VAT number.

Supporting New Tourism - Subsidised expenditure

• Buildings, other installations and surroundings
• Machinery, installations and equipment for the protection of the environment, energy and water saving
• Means of transport
• Certification of quality assurance and environmental management systems
• Promotion/Promotion - Participation in Exhibitions
• Technical engineering studies and tax and legal consulting services
• Software and software services
• Preparation and monitoring of the implementation of an Investment Plan

Costs shall be eligible from the date of publication of the call.

The time limit for the completion of the financed tourism investments may not exceed forty-eight (48) months and one hundred and thirty-two (132) days in total from the date of the adoption of the Integration Decision. Where a period fixed in accordance with the above expires on a non-working day, it shall be extended until the first working day.

Exceptionally, especially and only for those investment projects whose date of issue of the decision to join the Action is later than 11-06-2020, the deadline for their completion cannot exceed forty-eight (48) months from the date of issue of the Integration Decision.

When the completion dates of the physical and financial object are later than 31-12-2023, then the deadline for completion is set at 31-12-2023.

Eligible business categories

• Main hotel accommodation: hotels of category 3 stars and above with a capacity of 10 to 50 beds, hotel tourist accommodation within traditional buildings, organized tourist campsites of 3 stars and above, youth hostels
• Non-main hotel accommodation: self-catering accommodation – tourist furnished dwellings with a minimum number of 3 dwellings, rented furnished rooms – apartments of 3 keys or more and with a minimum capacity of 10 beds
• Travel agencies of various activities
• Alternative forms of tourism: sports tourism, maritime tourism, rural tourism, other special – alternative forms of tourism, such as amusement and theme parks, etc.
• Other business activities in the tourism sector

Support for New Tourism - Highlights

It is not possible to set up a new business (TIN) with the previous business or its partners/shareholders as a partner for the operation of the same accommodation/operating brand.

NEW NOTE: Private participation in the action may correspond to 50% or 55% (depending on the percentage of aid), of the budget requested for grant, according to the detailed call (section 7. FINANCING SCHEME).

As a condition of participation, it is defined to provide evidence of the possibility of covering private participation at least 60% of the corresponding private participation, depending on the case. Therefore, the requirement of the possibility of covering private participation at a rate of 60% is calculated on the above percentages (i.e. 60% of 50% or 60% of 55%).

NEW HIGHLIGHT: Regarding the indication in the detailed call of the action "Strengthening the Establishment and Operation of New Tourism SMEs" for the proof of private participation and the condition that it comes from recognized credit institutions by the Bank of Greece, it is noted that all financial institutions are accepted which operate legally in their country of establishment.

Online submission

Potential beneficiaries must, upon submission of the electronic application for funding, submit simultaneously to the State Aid Information System (www.ependyseis.gr/mis) an Electronic Application File. This dossier shall include the required supporting documents for the submission/inclusion of Annex I. It should be in an uneditable electronic file format (e.g. pdf file).

Potential beneficiaries when registering as new users in the State Aid Information System should select the action entitled: "Support for Entrepreneurship Actions".