According to the executive's statement, this incentive, capped at five thousand euros, is a non-refundable contribution "for acquiring architectural and specialist plans to build housing on plots allocated by the region or owned privately."

Maria João Carreiro, Regional Secretary for Youth, Housing and Employment, noted in the statement that the support, as regulated in today's Official Gazette, is "a decisive step toward easing the initiation of new constructions, making housing more attainable."

Maria João Carreiro emphasises that the financial contribution allows "to alleviate initial costs and remove one of the first barriers that many families face" in building their own home.

The incentive applies to projects submitted to Municipal Councils once the regulation becomes active, as well as projects submitted throughout 2025.

According to the Azorean regional government, financial support is granted in two instalments. The first corresponds to 40% of the investment and is granted after the licensing application is submitted to the respective City Council, and the second corresponds to 60% of the investment and is granted after approval of the municipal license.

Applications must be submitted using the appropriate form available on the Regional Housing Directorate (DRH) website at https://portal.azores.gov.pt/web/drh.

Support for the acquisition of architectural and speciality projects is cumulative with support for self-construction, which, due to changes made by the Azorean government and in effect since 1 January, 2026, can reach €75,000, depending on the composition and income of the household and the type of property to be built, it reads.

The decree from the Regional Secretariat for Youth, Housing and Employment, which defines the support for the acquisition of architectural and specialty projects for the construction of permanent housing, states that "it is the responsibility of the Regional Government department with competence in housing matters, directly or through entities designated by it, to carry out the supervision, monitoring and evaluation of the proper application of the support granted to the beneficiaries".

The decree enters into force on the day following its publication.