Please refer to section 2 of the guide for applicants, for detailed information on the process and different steps of the application.
Yes, supporting documents (at least a business plan and a draft timetable) are required to complement the information in the application form as per the Net-Zero Industry Act. When using the written request form, supporting documents are not mandatory. Please refer to the guide for applicants for more details.
Check the webpage for strategic projects under the NZIA, the guide for applicants, and this FAQ section. If you need further assistance, you can send an email to: EC-NZIA-STRAT-PRJ@ec.europa.eu.
All communication between the applicants, EU countries, and the Commission, is conducted through secured and encrypted channels, where necessary. Application content is treated under strict confidentiality rules.
Personal data is processed according to the privacy statement included in the application and the written request form.
The Commission has access to the application form and the written request form. Only the relevant EU country authority will access the complete application with supporting evidence, while the Commission will access these only if required by the Regulation.
Yes, a company can submit several applications for different strategic projects.
The application process for Carbon, Capture and Storage (CCS) will start later in the year. Currently, only net-zero technology manufacturing projects are covered.
Yes, specific site location is required and if a project operates in several locations, these should all be indicated in one application. Please add all locations in the same field in the application form.
Yes, projects that at the time of the application are already in the permit-granting process or that have already received permits can apply. You will be asked to indicate the status of the permit-granting process in section 2 of the application form or in the written request form.
Each application is assessed as submitted. Inform the relevant EU country via EU Send Web if there are substantial changes. Consider withdrawing and resubmitting an updated application if necessary.
Yes, you can re-apply.
No, you may submit applications at any time.
The EU country where the project is located assesses the application. The Regulation sets deadlines for EU countries to confirm application completeness and communicate on decisions. See these deadlines in chapter 3 of the guide for applicants.
Yes, project promoters from third countries can apply if the project is located in the European Union.
Yes.
Applicants must show that the project contributes to achieving the objectives set out in Article 1 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1735 and, additionally, satisfy at least one of the selection criteria and at least one of the corresponding sub-criteria under Article 13(1). EU countries will evaluate if these criteria are met.
Benefits of strategic project status
For projects that have obtained the status of net-zero strategic project under NZIA, the Regulation confers the advantages listed below.
- Priority status at national level for all administrative processes, as well as for the permit-granting process, including for environmental assessments and spatial planning under Article 15(1)-(2) of the Regulation on NZIA.
- Faster permitting via shorter overall time-limits for the duration of the entire permit-granting process (9 – 12 months) under Article 16(1)-(2) of the Regulation on NZIA.
- Discussed in the Net-Zero Europe Platform also in relation to providing advice on their financing under Article 19(2) of the Regulation on NZIA.
- Urgent treatment in dispute resolution procedures, litigation, appeals, judicial remedies under Article 15(4) of the Regulation on NZIA.
- Potential consideration in the ‘overriding public interest’ (with respect to exemptions in environmental legislation) under Article 15(3) of the Regulation NZIA.