Spain is pursuing entry into a cohort of capital-intensive projects linked to the semiconductor sector through the State Microelectronics and Semiconductor Society (SEMYS), affiliated with the State Industrial Subsidiaries Company (SEPI), as stated by the Ministry of Telecommunications, Maria Gonzales Veracruz, in an interview arranged with the Iberian Press group. She notes that the dossiers cover national firms and that open, candid conversations at the international level are underway to gauge real potential. She recalls that two or three operations ago, on 23-J, progress was already being tracked.
The minister highlights two defining traits of the national industry: a robust focus on photonics and design, and a longstanding, dense business fabric. To accelerate these efforts, an amendment was approved to a royal decree on Tuesday, June 27, enabling SEMYS to mobilize the instrument for capital deployment. A budget of 800 million euros was allocated within this year’s financing plans through a mix of instruments, including participatory loans and ordinary loans aimed at capital inflows. “We urgently needed to separate this figure from other financial instruments to capitalize diverse firms,” explains Gonzales Veracruz.
The PERTE for Microelectronics and Semiconductors, commonly known as PERTE Chip, was approved just over a year ago, on May 24, 2022. This strategic transformation initiative, designed by the Spanish Government, is equipped with 12,000 million euros with the aim of strengthening the semiconductor and microelectronics sector in Spain. A central ambition is to secure a domestic factory presence for key components. The initiative also influenced Cisco’s decision to establish its first chip design center in Barcelona. Financing will come from a blend of subsidies and talent attraction measures for participating companies.
“This marks the productive start,” asserts Gonzales Veracruz, who notes that the pace of implementation remains gradual. She emphasizes Spain’s aspiration to lead in Europe’s microelectronics landscape, identifying IPCEI — Major Projects of Common European Interest — as a framework that extends across several member states and supports substantial R&D and innovation. In the Chip PERTE, Spain positions itself as a common partner even with the United States in microelectronics development.
Regarding potential delays or disruptions to project progress, Gonzales Veracruz confirms there will be no halt. “There is no turning back,” she states, adding that attempting to stop the initiative would be a mistake. She stresses that the objective remains clear: to visualize and construct a comprehensive national industry, a goal the expert group will begin detailing in the coming days.
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Gonzales Veracruz took office in October 2022 after her predecessor, Roberto Sánchez, left the post. In this legislative period, she highlights advances toward closing the digital gap through the UNICO Rural program, funded by a European fund of 76.3 million euros. The program facilitates high-speed internet connections, offering 100 Mbps in the first year and 200 Mbps the following year, with satellite access priced at 35 euros per month and a grant of up to 600 euros per installation. She notes that this satellite solution provides a fixed-link alternative where fiber does not reach, and it also supports mobile coverage by enabling voice calls over a network and Wi-Fi.
In parallel, the government’s mobile connectivity measures aim to bolster 5G deployment through a dedicated aid program. More than 500 million euros from European funds have been allocated to support operators as they use 5G frequencies in smaller municipalities (under 10,000 residents). The aim is to avoid a repeat of fiber deployment gaps and to accelerate nationwide coverage in parallel with market adoption across regions such as Castilla y Leon, Aragon, Catalonia, Galicia, Madrid, Valencia, Andalusia, and Murcia.
Industry analysts note that the overall strategy blends public investment with private participation to accelerate semiconductor capability, attract talent, and foster domestic manufacturing. The emphasis remains on creating a scalable ecosystem that supports both early-stage development and large-scale production, with attention to supply chain resilience and strategic autonomy in key components and systems.