diff --git a/sqlmesh/core/config/model.py b/sqlmesh/core/config/model.py
index 5406a5497b..aeefdf2557 100644
--- a/sqlmesh/core/config/model.py
+++ b/sqlmesh/core/config/model.py
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ class ModelDefaultsConfig(BaseConfig):
         allow_partials: Whether the models can process partial (incomplete) data intervals.
         enabled: Whether the models are enabled.
         interval_unit: The temporal granularity of the models data intervals. By default computed from cron.
+        batch_concurrency: The maximum number of batches that can run concurrently for an incremental model.
         pre_statements: The list of SQL statements that get executed before a model runs.
         post_statements: The list of SQL statements that get executed before a model runs.
         on_virtual_update: The list of SQL statements to be executed after the virtual update.
@@ -69,6 +70,7 @@ class ModelDefaultsConfig(BaseConfig):
     interval_unit: t.Optional[t.Union[str, IntervalUnit]] = None
     enabled: t.Optional[t.Union[str, bool]] = None
     formatting: t.Optional[t.Union[str, bool]] = None
+    batch_concurrency: t.Optional[int] = None
     pre_statements: t.Optional[t.List[t.Union[str, exp.Expression]]] = None
     post_statements: t.Optional[t.List[t.Union[str, exp.Expression]]] = None
     on_virtual_update: t.Optional[t.List[t.Union[str, exp.Expression]]] = None
diff --git a/sqlmesh/core/model/kind.py b/sqlmesh/core/model/kind.py
index cc4c6f0826..ad5197a73a 100644
--- a/sqlmesh/core/model/kind.py
+++ b/sqlmesh/core/model/kind.py
@@ -1105,6 +1105,18 @@ def create_model_kind(v: t.Any, dialect: str, defaults: t.Dict[str, t.Any]) -> M
                 ):
                     props[on_change_property] = defaults.get(on_change_property)
 
+        # only pass the batch_concurrency user default to models inheriting from _IncrementalBy
+        # that don't explicitly set it in the model definition, but ignore subclasses of _IncrementalBy
+        # that hardcode a specific batch_concurrency
+        if issubclass(kind_type, _IncrementalBy):
+            BATCH_CONCURRENCY: t.Final = "batch_concurrency"
+            if (
+                props.get(BATCH_CONCURRENCY) is None
+                and defaults.get(BATCH_CONCURRENCY) is not None
+                and kind_type.all_field_infos()[BATCH_CONCURRENCY].default is None
+            ):
+                props[BATCH_CONCURRENCY] = defaults.get(BATCH_CONCURRENCY)
+
         if kind_type == CustomKind:
             # load the custom materialization class and check if it uses a custom kind type
             from sqlmesh.core.snapshot.evaluator import get_custom_materialization_type
diff --git a/tests/core/test_model.py b/tests/core/test_model.py
index f1a9eeb0b9..f6fc448b79 100644
--- a/tests/core/test_model.py
+++ b/tests/core/test_model.py
@@ -7583,6 +7583,107 @@ def test_forward_only_on_destructive_change_config() -> None:
     assert context_model.on_destructive_change.is_allow
 
 
+def test_batch_concurrency_config() -> None:
+    # No batch_concurrency default for incremental models
+    config = Config(model_defaults=ModelDefaultsConfig(dialect="duckdb"))
+    context = Context(config=config)
+
+    expressions = d.parse(
+        """
+        MODEL (
+            name memory.db.table,
+            kind INCREMENTAL_BY_TIME_RANGE (
+                time_column c
+            ),
+        );
+        SELECT a, b, c FROM source_table;
+        """
+    )
+    model = load_sql_based_model(expressions, defaults=config.model_defaults.dict())
+    context.upsert_model(model)
+    context_model = context.get_model("memory.db.table")
+    assert context_model.batch_concurrency is None
+
+    # batch_concurrency specified in model defaults applies to incremental models
+    config = Config(model_defaults=ModelDefaultsConfig(dialect="duckdb", batch_concurrency=5))
+    context = Context(config=config)
+
+    expressions = d.parse(
+        """
+        MODEL (
+            name memory.db.table,
+            kind INCREMENTAL_BY_TIME_RANGE (
+                time_column c
+            ),
+        );
+        SELECT a, b, c FROM source_table;
+        """
+    )
+    model = load_sql_based_model(expressions, defaults=config.model_defaults.dict())
+    context.upsert_model(model)
+    context_model = context.get_model("memory.db.table")
+    assert context_model.batch_concurrency == 5
+
+    # batch_concurrency specified in model definition overrides default
+    config = Config(model_defaults=ModelDefaultsConfig(dialect="duckdb", batch_concurrency=5))
+    context = Context(config=config)
+
+    expressions = d.parse(
+        """
+        MODEL (
+            name memory.db.table,
+            kind INCREMENTAL_BY_TIME_RANGE (
+                time_column c,
+                batch_concurrency 10
+            ),
+        );
+        SELECT a, b, c FROM source_table;
+        """
+    )
+    model = load_sql_based_model(expressions, defaults=config.model_defaults.dict())
+    context.upsert_model(model)
+    context_model = context.get_model("memory.db.table")
+    assert context_model.batch_concurrency == 10
+
+    # batch_concurrency default does not apply to non-incremental models
+    config = Config(model_defaults=ModelDefaultsConfig(dialect="duckdb", batch_concurrency=5))
+    context = Context(config=config)
+
+    expressions = d.parse(
+        """
+        MODEL (
+            name memory.db.table,
+            kind FULL,
+        );
+        SELECT a, b, c FROM source_table;
+        """
+    )
+    model = load_sql_based_model(expressions, defaults=config.model_defaults.dict())
+    context.upsert_model(model)
+    context_model = context.get_model("memory.db.table")
+    assert context_model.batch_concurrency is None
+
+    # batch_concurrency default does not apply to INCREMENTAL_BY_UNIQUE_KEY models
+    config = Config(model_defaults=ModelDefaultsConfig(dialect="duckdb", batch_concurrency=5))
+    context = Context(config=config)
+
+    expressions = d.parse(
+        """
+        MODEL (
+            name memory.db.table,
+            kind INCREMENTAL_BY_UNIQUE_KEY (
+                unique_key a
+            ),
+        );
+        SELECT a, b, c FROM source_table;
+        """
+    )
+    model = load_sql_based_model(expressions, defaults=config.model_defaults.dict())
+    context.upsert_model(model)
+    context_model = context.get_model("memory.db.table")
+    assert context_model.batch_concurrency == 1
+
+
 def test_model_meta_on_additive_change_property() -> None:
     """Test that ModelMeta has on_additive_change property that works like on_destructive_change."""
     from sqlmesh.core.model.kind import IncrementalByTimeRangeKind, OnAdditiveChange