New Free Technological Zones Boost Innovation in Aveiro and Viana do Castelo
AIDA CCI announces the creation of two new Free Technological Zones (ZLT), approved by the Government and published in the Official Gazette (Diário da República), with the aim of accelerating applied research, the testing of new technologies, and the digital and energy transition.
Aveiro and Viana do Castelo: Experimentation and Development Ecosystems
The Aveiro ZLT, created by Ordinance No. 119/2025/1, of March 18, is coordinated by the University of Aveiro and is dedicated to experimenting with communication technologies, electronics, autonomous systems, and smart mobility. The area covers land, air, estuarine, and maritime zones in the municipalities of Aveiro and Ílhavo, integrating urban, logistical, and port networks.
The Viana do Castelo ZLT, formalized by Ordinance No. 96/2025/1, of March 12, is led by the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology (DGEG) and focuses on ocean-based renewable energies, promoting the testing and development of technologies applied to offshore power generation, energy storage, and the transformation of energy vectors.
Objectives and Advantages of Free Technological Zones
The ZLTs represent experimental regulatory environments where emerging technologies can be tested and validated safely with institutional support. Among the main benefits are:
- Reduced bureaucracy and flexible legal framework
- Testing in a real-world environment with specialized infrastructure
- Access to networks of scientific, business, and regulatory partners
- Promotion of collaborative innovation and technological development
Strategic Contributions to Portugal
Both zones contribute to national and European goals regarding innovation and sustainability, such as the PNEC 2030 (National Energy and Climate Plan), the National Strategy for the Sea, and the Industrial Strategy for Ocean Renewable Energies, as well as strengthening technological innovation clusters and attracting investment.
Management and Institutional Articulation
The University of Aveiro and the DGEG act as managing entities for their respective zones, in coordination with the National Innovation Agency (ANI), sector regulators, municipalities, and other strategic partners, both national and international.
More Information
Consult the official documents:
