Aid for the modernization of commerce will increase to 5,15…

Jakes Aguirrezabal Iribar, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Consumption, has decided to increase the economic allocation of the 2026 MEC program call by 500,000 euros. Consequently, the total amount allocated for grants for the modernization of commercial establishments will increase from 4,654,000 euros to 5,154,000 euros. The decision was signed on October 21, 2026, and published in the Official Gazette of the Basque Country, issue number 206, on October 28, 2026, in the “Other provisions” section, with official reference 2026/4543.

Starting point of the call

The increase is made within the option contained in the second basis of the bases regulating the MEC program. The call itself was approved by the Order of the Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Consumption dated April 29, 2026, and said order was published in the official gazette on June 2, 2026. The initial call had an allocation of 4,654,000 euros, charged to the credits included in the general budgets of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country.

That basis allows the Deputy Minister to increase the initial allocation by up to ninety-eight percent, provided it is done via a resolution and after being published in the official gazette. The current increase, therefore, is within the path specifically provided for by the regulations and is not an exceptional measure.

Increase to respond to higher demand

The resolution states as a reason that, after analyzing the number of applications submitted and the accumulated amount of grants requested so far, it is appropriate and necessary to increase the total amount for the financing of the call. The objective is to properly cover the existing demand, as well as the demand anticipated as the application procedure progresses.

The specific amounts are as follows:

Initial allocation: 4,654,000 euros.
Increase: 500,000 euros.
Final allocation: 5,154,000 euros.
Maximum increase permitted by regulations: 50 percent of the initial amount.

Deadlines remain unchanged

The resolution explicitly specifies that the increase will not open a new period for submitting applications. Similarly, it will not change or restart the maximum period established for resolving and notifying the procedure. The conditions of the call and the procedure’s calendar remain as they are, although the financing is increased.

Mandatory authorization from the Governing Council

Once the increase is applied, the allocation of the call amounts to 5,154,000 euros, which exceeds the 5,000,000 euro limit. Therefore, authorization from the Governing Council is mandatory to authorize the expenditure, according to article 113.1 of the single consolidated text of the legal provisions of the Basque budgetary regulations (Legislative Decree 1/2011, of May 24, 2011).

This limit is specified in article 38.1 of Law 7/2025 for the 2026 exercise. The Governing Council granted the authorization in its meeting on October 13, 2026, a few days before the resolution was signed.

Entry into force and appeal

The resolution shall enter into force on the day following its publication in the official gazette, that is, on October 29, 2026. As stated in the same gazette, an appeal for reversal may be filed against the resolution to the Minister of Turismo, Comercio y Consumo, within a period of one month starting from the day following its publication.

Impact on the sector

Additional funds to finance the modernization of commercial establishments respond to a real demand, not merely a budgetary forecast. The fact that the volume of the call exceeds the 5 million euro limit is a guarantee for controlling public spending, not an obstacle: the authorization of the Consejo de Gobierno supports the expenditure but does not halt the procedure. Small merchants and owners of commercial services may submit their requests in the current call, under the same conditions, but with more aid available for distribution.

Fuente: Boletín Oficial del País Vasco, n.º 206, October 28, 2026, Otras disposiciones (official reference: 2026/4543).