The Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) is a government-backed long-term loan guarantee scheme supported by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The scheme is delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), with support from the European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group).
The scheme was launched in September 2023 with an initial lending capacity of €500 million to support investment by Irish businesses, farmers, foresters and fishers.
Reflecting strong demand and the continuing need to support business investment and sustainable growth, the scheme was expanded in October 2026 by a further €500 million and extended until 30 June 2029, or until the scheme is fully subscribed, whichever occurs first. This increased the scheme's overall lending capacity from €500 million to €1 billion, with at least 30% of lending supporting climate action and environmental sustainability investments.
The scheme supports strategic long-term investment by eligible small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), small mid-caps, farmers, foresters and fishers, helping to enhance competitiveness, improve productivity, strengthen resilience and support the transition to a more sustainable economy.
Key features of the scheme
- Loans from €25,000 to €3 million per borrower, subject to applicable state aid limits and lender assessment.
- Repayment terms from 7 to 10 years.
- Loans up to €500,000 may be available unsecured, subject to certain exceptions; loans above this amount may require security.
- Competitive interest rates compared with equivalent standard commercial loans.
- An additional interest rate discount is available for eligible climate action and environmentally sustainable investments.
Application process
The scheme has a two-stage application process:
Step 1 – Applicants register or sign in to the SBCI Hub and complete the online eligibility application. Successful applicants receive an eligibility code.
Step 2 – Applicants submit their eligibility code and a credit application to a participating finance provider. An eligibility code does not guarantee loan approval. Credit decisions are made by participating lenders under their own lending policies and procedures.
The SBCI website provides the latest information on eligibility codes, application requirements and the participating lenders currently accepting applications: Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme - SBCI
Participating finance providers
The participating finance providers under the scheme are AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB, Finance Ireland and Close Brothers. AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB are currently accepting applications. Applicants should consult SBCI for the latest information regarding the availability of funding through participating finance providers.
Scheme duration
The Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme is available until 30 June 2029 or until the scheme has been fully subscribed, whichever is earlier.
Eligibility criteria
The scheme is open to viable eligible SMEs and small mid-cap businesses operating in the Republic of Ireland, including those in agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, subject to scheme conditions. Applicants must meet SBCI eligibility requirements, relevant state aid rules and the participating lender’s credit criteria.
SMEs are defined by the EU SME definition, which takes account of employee numbers, turnover or balance sheet totals, and relationships with partner or linked enterprises. Applicants should refer to the SBCI guidance and the European Commission definition for the detailed rules.
Loan purposes supported
Loans are available for qualifying long-term investment in either business growth and resilience or climate action and environmental sustainability.
Loans for growth
Subject to scheme requirements, eligible long-term investments may include:
- investment in tangible or intangible assets
- machinery or equipment
- research and development
- business expansion
- premises improvement
- process innovation
Loans for climate action and environmental sustainability
Eligible businesses can seek long-term finance for investments that improve their environmental performance. The scheme supports qualifying green or sustainable measures and, subject to specific criteria, qualifying green enterprises and agricultural enterprises holding relevant green credentials.
Examples of potentially eligible investment include building energy upgrades, insulation, energy-efficient lighting, renewable energy equipment, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, and certain qualifying agricultural investments. Eligibility is determined by the applicable SBCI use-case guidance and assessment process; inclusion in this list does not guarantee eligibility.
Qualifying loans benefit from an additional interest rate discount. SBCI currently states that the additional discount is 0.25 percentage points for businesses meeting the relevant climate action and environmental sustainability eligibility requirements.
Refinancing
Loans under the scheme are intended for qualifying long-term investment and cannot be used to refinance existing loans.
State agency clients
The scheme is available to businesses meeting the eligibility requirements, whether or not they are clients of state agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices or Bord Bia.
State aid
Scheme loans are subject to applicable state aid requirements. Depending on the borrower and investment, relevant measures may include the De Minimis Regulation; Articles 17 and 29 of the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER); Articles 14 and 17 of the Agriculture Block Exemption Regulation (ABER); and Article 20 of the Fishery Block Exemption Regulation (FIBER). Eligibility, aid intensity and applicable limits depend on the individual application.
Applicants should consult the SBCI website and the relevant legal documents for the full state aid provisions.
Excluded sectors and activities
Certain sectors, activities and uses of loan funds are excluded. Restrictions may apply, among other areas, to specified fossil fuel activities, certain real estate and financial transactions, and activities restricted under applicable state aid rules. The SBCI publishes an indicative list of exclusions. The finance provider’s legal documentation contains the applicable scheme terms and conditions.
If a loan application is refused by a finance provider
A business whose formal loan application is refused should first use the finance provider’s internal appeals process. Where eligible, the applicant may subsequently seek an independent review from the Credit Review Office. Applicants should check the Credit Review Office’s remit and eligibility criteria, including whether the relevant lender and loan fall within its scope.
About the European Investment Bank Group
The European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group) comprises the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF). The group supports access to finance and investment across Europe. The GSLS benefits from EIB Group guarantee support.
About the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland
The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) was established in 2014 to improve access to finance for Irish businesses. It works with finance providers to support funding and risk-sharing schemes, promoting competition and access to longer-term investment finance.
Reports
The department publishes SBCI’s quarterly reports on the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme: Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme quarterly reports
Further information
For further information on the scheme and the application process, please visit Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme - SBCI.
Last updated: 22 October 2026