The process of creating a Technological Free Zone is permanently open and can be initiated:

Through an Expression of Interest;
Without an Expression of Interest (directly via application submission).

Submitting an Expression of Interest is not mandatory nor does it bind the process of creating a specific ZLT. It is intended to provide an opportunity for consultation regarding the potential innovation and public interest of a proposal to create a Technological Free Zone, by the Testing Authority and Regulatory Entities.

Technological Free Zones Regulation [PDF]

Application and Evaluation Guide [PDF]

The process initiated through an Expression of Interest benefits from the support of the National Innovation Agency, S.A. (ANI) in preparing the application proposal. ANI can organize information sessions and contacts with regulatory entities to provide direct and ongoing support in terms of information, guidance, and recommendations.

Entities wishing to submit an Expression of Interest for the creation of a Technological Free Zone should complete the form.

The process of creating a ZLT without an Expression of Interest can be initiated at any time by the managing entity, through the submission of an application proposal, by completing and submitting an application form that is continuously open and available.

Entities wishing to submit an Application Proposal for the creation of a Technological Free Zone should complete the form.

Portugal has been developing and implementing a consistent and structured approach to investment in innovation and entrepreneurship, taking into account the positive impact that innovative services and products have on promoting social and economic progress and the transition to a sustainable economy. In this context, conditions have been established for Portugal to lead in regulating emerging technologies (autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence), allowing for the hosting of national and international projects focused on the development of products related to emerging technologies. Given the rapid pace of technological development, achieving this goal is only possible by testing and experimenting with new technologies, their applications, and the business models intended for adoption. Experimentation—especially in real-world settings—thus plays a central role in the research, development, and implementation of innovative services and products.
Therefore, it is essential to create a legal and regulatory framework that promotes and facilitates the testing of innovative technologies, services, products, and processes. Such a legal framework will contribute to accelerating research, demonstration, and testing processes, consequently enhancing the country’s competitiveness and attractiveness for foreign investment in research and innovation projects, as well as facilitating the transition of new products and services to the market and their proper regulation. In this context, several countries have advanced with the creation of “regulatory sandboxes,” “innovation spaces,” “experimentation spaces,” “living labs,” among others.
In Portugal, the Council of Ministers Resolution No. 29/2020, of April 21, was published, establishing the general principles for the creation and regulation of ZLT. Decree-Law No. 67/2021, of July 30, establishes the basic legal framework for the establishment of ZLTs in Portugal, as provided for in the aforementioned Council of Ministers Resolution. This decree-law does not immediately create ZLTs but sets out the conditions for their creation with the goal of establishing multiple ZLTs in Portugal, each specifically geared towards certain technologies or sectors, thereby contributing to the dynamism of Portugal’s regions by leveraging their specific characteristics.

Council of Ministers Resolution No. 29/2020 – General principles for the creation and regulation of Technological Free Zones

Decree-Law No. 67/2021 – Governance regime and model for promoting technology-based innovation through the creation of Technological Free Zones