The call allows applications for non-repayable grants aimed at digital projects, startups, and technology-driven business models looking to establish themselves in the city.
Melilla has just published a call for grants of particular relevance for startups, digital companies, and technology projects seeking to develop, grow, or establish themselves in the city. For businesses in the gaming sector, the appeal is clear: the measure adds to an already attractive tax ecosystem that makes Melilla one of the most competitive territories for digital, technological, and online gaming-related companies.
The call, published in the Official Gazette of the Autonomous City of Melilla, aims to promote and consolidate emerging and digital companies through a competitive process during the 2026 financial year. The program is structured into two lines: one for the creation of new digital or startup companies, and another for the consolidation and scalability of startups with a proven track record.
Line 1 is aimed at early-stage or newly established projects with a technological or digital base, offering grants ranging from €3,000 to €6,000, covering 100% of the approved eligible budget. The maximum eligible budget per project in this line is €6,000.
Line 2 is designed for startups seeking to consolidate and scale. In this case, grants range from a minimum of €15,000 to a maximum of €57,000, covering up to 85% of the approved eligible budget. These grants are non-repayable, which is particularly attractive for digital projects requiring investment in technology, staff, product development, marketing, cloud services, software, or market expansion.
One of the most interesting aspects of the call is that applicants are not required to already be established in Melilla at the time of application. Companies without a tax domicile or permanent establishment in the city may submit a declaration of intent to establish themselves and, if awarded, will have one month from notification to prove their implementation.
The call also includes a 60% advance payment, which can be granted without the need for guarantees after submitting documentation proving the start of activity and, where applicable, establishment in Melilla. The remaining 40% will be paid upon proper justification, in accordance with the conditions set out in the regulation.
The initial budget amounts to €400,000, distributed between €54,000 for Line 1 and €346,000 for Line 2, with the possibility of activating an additional conditional budget of up to €1 million. The first application window is open until May 31, 2026, at 23:59, and the second is scheduled from September 1 to October 1, 2026, subject to the availability of additional funds.
For companies in the online gaming sector, Melilla’s appeal goes beyond the grants. Spain’s Ministry of Finance highlights that Ceuta and Melilla benefit from a special tax regime, including a 50% reduction in Corporate Income Tax on income generated in these territories, as well as the replacement of VAT with the IPSI tax.
In addition, the tax framework for startups provides that emerging companies are taxed at 15% in Corporate Income Tax during the first profitable tax period and the following three years, provided they maintain their status. Combined with the Melilla-specific tax reductions, this creates a highly competitive fiscal environment for eligible technology projects.
The call also evaluates aspects closely linked to advanced digital models, such as technological innovation, digital integration, business planning, scalability, creation of skilled employment in Melilla, competitiveness, and the project’s potential to drive the local ecosystem.
For online gaming companies, as well as those focused on artificial intelligence for compliance, data analytics, market monitoring, cybersecurity, digital products, payments, affiliation, CRM, B2B platforms, or RegTech solutions, Melilla once again positions itself as a location worth serious consideration.
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