€3 million to digitalize your SMB: the complete guide to Galicia grants in 2026

What just happened: Xunta opens €3 million for SMBs

On June 23, the Xunta's territorial delegate in Ferrol announced a new digital transformation grant round for Galician SMBs. Budget: €3 million, co-financed by the European Union through the Galicia Feder 2021-2027 program.

The application deadline is July 10, 2026. Yes, you read that right: if you're reading this and interested, you have less than three weeks to prepare your application. Not panic-inducing, but move fast.

These grants are managed through IGAPE (Galician Institute for Economic Promotion) and target digitalization projects covering everything from process automation to cybersecurity. We're talking concrete things: digital billing systems, business interconnection across supply chains, logistics optimization, and yes, AI projects applied to industry.

Who can apply for these grants?

Beneficiaries are SMBs (per EU definition), self-employed workers and large companies with a work location in Galicia. But there's a requirement many people miss: you must be enrolled in a business cluster as defined in article 8.3 of the Public Sector Contracts Act.

What does that mean in practice? If you're a solo freelancer or independent SMB, you probably need to team up with other businesses (through an association, cluster or business group) to qualify. It's not impossible, but it's the first filter that weeds out the unprepared.

In Ourense province, Kit Digital (a complementary Spanish government program) has already benefited 5,800 businesses and freelancers, according to government data. 61% of recipients are self-employed and 39% are SMBs. Total ministry investment in Ourense reaches €23 million.

What projects can be funded?

The grant covers several project types. This isn't just "build a website" — it goes much further:

Digital interfaces and channels

Development of commercial and operational platforms for third-party relationships. Your corporate website, your e-commerce, your B2B customer portal. If you sell to other businesses and need to digitalize that relationship, this is for you.

Process digitalization and automation

Production automation, inventory management, quality control with computer vision, industrial robotics. If you run a factory or workshop and want machines talking to each other without manual intervention, this is your track.

Integrated management systems

ERP, CRM and Business Intelligence implementation. Your company's digital brain. If you're still managing everything with Excel and shared folders, this interests you.

Cybersecurity

Data and system protection against cyber threats. Secure interconnection between physical devices and virtual systems. The Artabria Technology Group project in Ferrol, a beneficiary of the previous grant round, fits exactly here.

Logistics function improvement

Route optimization, fleet management, shipment tracking. If you distribute products, this cuts real costs.

IA360: specific AI grants

This is where it gets interesting for industrial companies. The Xunta has a dedicated program called IA360, designed to boost business innovation through artificial intelligence in Galicia's industrial sector and its supply chain.

IA360 funds two areas:

• Development of AI-based products or services to improve industrial processes and launch new products.
• Acquisition and implementation of AI solutions to boost business productivity.

The program targets SMBs and large companies with a work location in Galicia, covering machine learning, RPA (robotic process automation) and industrial robotics. Program rules were published in the official gazette on January 16, 2026 and grant rounds run through 2026–2027.

A concrete example: the INTEGRA-AI project, led by CEAGA (Galicia's Automotive Cluster), is developing an intelligent industrial planning system with AI. Participating companies include Maier Ferroplast and Grupo Tecnogap, with a €242,391 budget and a €107,249 subsidy. This is exactly the type of project IA360 funds.

Kit Digital: the complement you might already know

While Xunta grants focus on broader transformation projects, the Spanish government's Kit Digital offers vouchers up to €12,000 for specific digital solutions. It's a different program, but complementary.

Kit Digital covers categories like: website and internet presence, e-commerce, social media management, customer management, Business Intelligence and analytics, process management, electronic invoicing, secure communications, cybersecurity and sustainability and ESG.

In Ourense, the provincial council (through Acelera Pyme) offers assistance with the Kit Digital voucher process. It includes a prior digital assessment and selection of authorized digitalization solutions. If you haven't done it yet, now's the time — vouchers are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis until funds run out.

Ticket Innova: another path for AI projects

Beyond IA360, there's the Ticket Innova 2026 program, offering up to €7,000 for AI, automation and augmented reality projects. It's a more modest subsidy but more accessible for small companies taking their first steps with artificial intelligence without committing to €200,000 projects.

SPRI AI 2026: if you're in the Basque Country (worth knowing)

If you have operations in the Basque Country or want to compare, the SPRI AI 2026 program offers a 60% subsidy (up to €100,000 per company) for AI implementation. That's aggressive funding that explains why Basque businesses are leading Spain's AI adoption.

How much you get based on project size

Xunta grants divide into three types by project budget:

These are the available allocation pools. The exact amount each company receives depends on the project score in evaluation and the requested budget. It's not "pay for what you spend" — project quality, impact on competitiveness and alignment with Galicia's strategic sectors all get scored.

The mistake I see SMBs make (and how to avoid it)

After talking to many Galician entrepreneurs about digitalization, one mistake keeps repeating: waiting for grants to be "for them."

The reality is these grants go through competitive selection. Meeting basic requirements isn't enough — you need a project that scores higher than the others. That requires:

• A clear picture of where your company stands digitally today.
• A transformation plan with measurable goals (not "we want to digitalize" but "we want to cut order-management time by 30% through automation").
• A detailed, realistic budget breakdown.
• Success metrics: how you'll know the project worked.

Submit a generic application missing these elements and you're out. Not because you don't qualify, but because someone else's better-presented project gets the money.

What if I miss the July 10 deadline?

Missing this grant round isn't the end. The Galicia Feder 2021-2027 program runs through 2027, and IA360 grants are open both years. Plus Kit Digital stays open continuously.

That said, my advice is don't wait. Every year without digitalization, your competition advances another year ahead. In sectors like automotive, logistics or food manufacturing in Galicia, the gap is becoming very visible.

If you want to start preparing a project for the next round, or need help figuring out what digital transformation makes sense for your company, let's have a quick conversation with no obligation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for both Xunta grants and Kit Digital at the same time?

Yes, they're compatible as long as they don't fund the same item. You could use Kit Digital for your website and Xunta grants for industrial process automation, for example. The key is not double-funding the same expense.

What if I'm self-employed with no employees?

You can access both Kit Digital and Xunta grants. Kit Digital has a specific category for micro-businesses with 0–2 employees. For Xunta grants, you'll need to be in a business cluster.

Do I need to pay upfront or do I get reimbursed?

Usually grants are paid after you justify expenses. You execute the project, present invoices and the administration reimburses you. Some programs allow advance payment, but that's rare.

How long until a grant application gets decided?

Depends on application volume. In previous rounds, decisions took 2–4 months from the deadline. Don't count on seeing money in your bank before October–November.

Do I need a tech company to apply for these grants?

Not to apply, but yes to execute. You need a vendor providing digital solutions (web development, ERP implementation, cybersecurity, etc.). But you as the business make the application.