Calp approves aid for SMEs and self-employed due to the energy crisis

The plenary of the Calp City Council has definitively approved the regulatory bases for the aid aimed at minimising the economic impact of the energy crisis, addressed to SMEs, micro-SMEs, self-employed workers and professionals with tax domicile in the municipality. The decision is published in the Official Bulletin of the Province of Alicante number 151, of 12 August 2026, through announcement 6311/2026, in the Local Administration section.

The agreement stems from the ordinary session of the municipal plenary held on 9 June 2026, which initially approved the bases. The file remained on public display for thirty days from the publication of the announcement in BOP of Alicante number 115, of 19 June 2026, without any claim or allegation being submitted, so, in accordance with articles 49 and 70.2 of Law 7/1985, they are deemed definitively approved. The Calp City Council has obtained from the Generalitat Valenciana the required report on non-duplication and financial solvency to grant these aids within the framework of the economic promotion action aimed at the local productive fabric.

Beneficiaries and requirements

The following may apply for the subsidies, under a competitive bidding regime: natural or legal persons that, being SMEs, micro-SMEs, self-employed workers or other groups subject to mutual societies, have their registered office or tax domicile in Calp. The condition of SME refers to Annex I of Regulation (EU) 651/2014: companies whose annual turnover or general balance sheet does not exceed EUR 10 million.

• Excluded are public sector entities, associations, foundations and non-profit entities, community property arrangements and groups without legal personality; self-employed co-owner members of community property arrangements may apply individually.
• Applicants must be up to date with their obligations with the AEAT, the Social Security and the Calp City Council, not fall under the prohibitions of article 13 of Law 38/2003 and undertake to maintain their economic activity for at least six months after the publication of the grant resolution.

Amount and eligible expenses

Current expenses for electricity, gas and fuel paid during the period set by the future call for applications will be eligible, up to 50% of their amount and with a maximum of EUR 4,000.00 per applicant, who may submit only one application. The credit will come from the item allocated by the municipal budget and, if applications exceed the allocation, the Calp City Council will distribute the amount pro rata among the beneficiaries, at the proposal of the Assessment Commission.

• Bank account interest, surcharges and penalties, judicial proceedings costs, nor indirect taxes that may be recovered or offset shall not be eligible for subsidies.
• The subsidy is compatible with other aid that finances expenses other than those presented as supporting documents, provided that the total cost of the activity is not exceeded.

Procedure and deadlines

The call for applications will be initiated ex officio by the competent body, published in the National Database of Subsidies (BDNS) and its extract in the Official Gazette of the Province. Applications, on a specific form, must be submitted exclusively by electronic means, starting from the day following publication of the extract in the BOP. Processing will correspond to the municipal Subsidies Department and assessment to a committee of five officials.

Payment will be made by bank transfer, after justification of expenses, with no advances or guarantees required. The rules will come into force fifteen working days after their publication in the BOP, and their final approval may be appealed through administrative contentious proceedings within two months before the High Court of Justice of the Valencian Community.

The final approval of these rules enables the next call for applications, with which the Calp town council aims to alleviate the energy price increase resulting from the Middle East crisis, providing direct relief for commerce, hospitality and local businesses that sustain employment in the municipality of Marina Alta.

Source: Official Gazette of the Province of Alicante, No. 151, of 12 August 2026, section III. Local Administration, pp. 1-22 (official reference: notice 6311/2026, Calp City Council).