State aid scheme Active
European Chips Act (Regulation (EU) 2023/1781)
The EU framework mobilising up to €43bn to strengthen Europe's semiconductor ecosystem, built on three pillars: the Chips for Europe Initiative (R&D, design platform, pilot lines), a security-of-supply framework for first-of-a-kind facilities, and a monitoring/coordination structure.
✓ 3 Jul 2026
Key parameters
| Mobilised investment | Up to €43bn public + private |
|---|---|
| Pillar 1 | Chips for Europe Initiative (via Chips JU) — €3.3bn EU funds |
| Pillar 2 | First-of-a-kind Integrated Production Facilities & Open EU Foundries |
| Pillar 3 | European Semiconductor Board + monitoring/crisis response |
Eligibility
- HQ
- Any headquarters country
- Local presence
- Separate legal entity required The applicant must be a separate legal person (e.g. GmbH, BV, SARL) — a branch office of a foreign company does not qualify here.
- R&D substance
- Required
- Company size
- No size restriction
- Models
- All
- Sectors
- All
- Goals
- Additional design site in Europe; Manufacturing / fab site; Access to pilot lines & prototyping; R&D cooperation without own site
The Act is a framework: companies access it through Pillar-1 Chips JU calls and platform, or (for large fabs) Pillar-2 FOAK status enabling accelerated national state aid. An EU legal entity is required to contract.
Mechanism & application
Hybrid — Rule-based core with additional administrative steps.
Via Chips JU calls/platform (Pillar 1) or by applying for first-of-a-kind facility status (Pillar 2) with the Commission and member state.
Timeline: Pillar-dependent
Legal basis & sources
- Legal basis
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1781 (European Chips Act), OJ 18 Sep 2023
- Verification
- EUR-Lex / EC digital-strategy (Reg. 2023/1781; €43bn; €3.3bn EU funds)
from 21 Sept 2023 until no expiry review 1 Dec 2026