Breaking News: Puglia’s €5M Sustainable Tourism Fund For 2025—Your Guide to €500,000+ in Grants

Puglia, Italy’s radiant heel, has announced a game-changing €5M fund to power the region’s sustainable tourism boom in 2025. Even more enticing: properties with renewable energy and accessibility features can unlock additional grants of up to €500,000. Whether you’re a hospitality entrepreneur, property owner, or investor, this is a golden window to tap into major funding for bold, green projects and transform historic or underutilized properties into tourism magnets that set new standards for eco-innovation and inclusivity.

This comprehensive guide covers who qualifies, what’s required, and how to position your project for maximum success.

Why Puglia’s Sustainable Tourism Fund Matters

Springboard for Green Tourism: Puglia’s program is Europe’s most ambitious regional grant scheme, targeting projects that boost economic vitality, reduce emissions, and make tourism welcoming for all.

Grant Opportunities: Get up to 60% of your project funded. Sustainable features? Add up to €500,000 extra.

Market Impact: With tourism surging 55% in a decade, international investors and local operators alike are rushing in—and this fund offers a rare advantage in a competitive market1 2.

Key Funding Details

Grant ScopeAmountSpecial Add-Ons (2025)Base project grantsUp to 60% of costsSustainability/renewables add-onUp to €500,000For innovative, green featuresAccessibility improvementsAdditional funding capped at €500,000 for qualifying accessible amenitiesMinimum/maximum project size€30,000 / €5,000,000Application windowNow – September 15, 2025Early submission highly advised

Who Is Eligible?

Businesses of all sizes: Micro, small, medium, and large enterprises—new or established.

Business networks/consortia: Groups of at least 5 businesses can apply together for collaborative, larger-scale projects.

Self-employed professionals: Must have a VAT number at the application time3 2.

Properties: Historic masserias (farmhouses), villas, trulli, abandoned buildings (vacant ≥3 years), hospitality sites, and properties of cultural interest in Puglia.

What Kind of Projects Qualify?

Core Eligible Activities

Expanding, modernizing, or restructuring accommodation/hospitality properties.

Restoring and repurposing historic or derelict buildings for tourism use.

Creating new accommodations, resorts, eco-lodges, wellness centers, and cultural venues.

Integrating digital transformation (CRM, analytics, e-tourism platforms).

Sustainability & Accessibility Add-On

To access the €500,000 bonus:

Renewable Energy: Install solar, wind, high-efficiency cogeneration, or create facilities that exceed energy efficiency compliance.

Accessible Tourism: Incorporate universal design, barrier-free access in rooms, bathrooms, paths, lifts, signage, and digital/audio tools for visitors with disabilities.

Green Initiatives: Add reused building materials, EV charging stations, or sustainable transport for guests.

Additional Project Components

Workforce training (digital, green skills): up to €500,000 (SMEs).

Environmental protection: up to €1.5M for SMEs.

Innovation investments: up to €500,000 qualifying for additional grant coverage2.

Application Process Step-by-Step

Preparation

Secure property ownership or a preliminary sale agreement (10% down).
Create a thorough business plan with forecasts, compliance documents, and detailed sustainability/accessibility measures.

Online Submission

Apply via the PugliaSemplice digital platform.
Application period closes September 15, 2025 (or when funds run out)4.

Evaluation

Puglia Sviluppo and financial institutions assess eligibility and funding fit.
Projects reviewed on rolling, first-come basis. Early applicants have priority.
Extra points for youth, women-led, or highly innovative businesses.

Approval & Grant Disbursement

Projects advancing to final stage must submit full documentation within 60 days.
Funds awarded based on percentage fit with priorities (heritage, sustainability, innovation).

Execution & Compliance

Keep the property in tourism use for at least three years post-opening.
Projects must allow performance tracking and reporting for grants received2.

How To Maximize Your Funding Success

Exceed Minimums: Go beyond regulatory basics. Projects that lead in energy innovation and accessibility get more funding.

Document Everything: Show the historical value, economic impact, and detailed environmental strategy.

Consult Experts: Engage experienced local consultants for optimal documentation and navigation of heritage, zoning, and application complexities.

Use Smart Tools: Platforms like InvestiScope™ can model scenarios and optimize your grant application for maximum coverage1 2.

Example Scenario: Turning A Trullo Into A Green Hospitality Gem

Renovate a historic trullo in Valle d’Itria with solar, greywater recycling, accessible paths, EV charging, and digital booking/information tools.

Project budget: €800,000

Base grant: 50% = €400,000

Green/accessibility add-on: €250,000 (energy) + €250,000 (accessibility), for a potential total grant of €900,000.

Result: Transform a unique heritage site into a flagship for sustainable tourism—at half the out-of-pocket cost.

Costs & Important Considerations

Registration/transaction taxes (property): 9%–10%

Mortgage/cadastral fees: small fixed costs

Professional, architecture, and management fees: typically 4-10% total project cost

Real estate agent and consultant fees apply

Compliance: If the property ceases tourism use within three years, you may forfeit the grant and must return funds plus interest2.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreign investors apply?
Yes, provided you (or your entity) are registered in Italy and meet all business/taxation and project criteria3 2.

Is there a minimum property size?
Newly created accommodations need at least 5 rooms to qualify for funding and classification.

How long does the funding process take?
Typically 4–6 months from application to final approval, depending on project complexity and document readiness3 2.

Key Takeaway

Puglia’s new €5M sustainable tourism fund for 2025 unlocks up to €500,000 extra for properties advancing renewable energy and accessibility. Now’s the moment to position your property for this next-generation funding—by integrating bold sustainability and inclusivity measures, you’ll turn your vision into a flagship project and anchor Puglia’s rise as a global green tourism leader.

For support with eligibility or navigating the process, consult recognized local advisors or use digital eligibility platforms to optimize your grant application.

Want to be a sustainability leader in the Mediterranean? This is your chance—act fast, as the fund operates on a first-come, first-served, and highly competitive basis1 2 5.

https://www.marietrulli.com/post/transforming-puglia-s-tourism-landscape-with-the-mini-pia-turismo-2025-2027

https://www.marietrulli.com/post/understanding-the-mini-pia-funding-program-and-its-criteria

https://www.marietrulli.com

https://www.direzionehotel.it/en/tourism-funding-available/

https://www.engelvoelkers.com/it/en/resources/regional/pia-minipia

https://partecipazione.regione.puglia.it/processes/blueconomy?locale=en

https://www.olivonews.it/en/the-opportunities-with-the-new-law-on-oil-tourism-in-Puglia/

https://foreste.regione.puglia.it/en/web/turismo/-/avviso-anno-2025-per-l-erogazione-di-contributi-alle-associazioni-turistiche-pro-loco

https://green-forum.ec.europa.eu/news/sustainability-tourism-funding-opportunities-sites-italy-2025-05-26_en

https://blog.pwc-tls.it/en/2024/04/15/fer-x-decree-new-incentives-schemes-for-the-promotion-of-the-italian-renewable-energy-sources/

https://www.joconsulting.eu/en/real-estate-tender-italy-grants/

https://www.apuliaproperties.com/non-repayable-grants-for-real-estate-investments-in-salento-pia-and-minipia/