The SME Fund program is back in 2026

What Support Is Provided

Within the framework of the program, the following vouchers are available to reimburse eligible costs:

• Voucher up to €1,620 (the reimbursement amount depends on the country):
  Businesses may receive reimbursement of up to 90% of the cost of an IP Scan (intellectual property audit), which helps assess the company’s intellectual property portfolio and define an effective protection strategy.
• Voucher of €700:
  Companies registering trademarks or industrial designs may obtain funding covering up to 75% of official application fees.
• Voucher of €1,000:
  Businesses filing national patent applications may receive reimbursement of up to 75% of official fees.
• Voucher up to €1,500:
  Companies engaging patent attorneys to file a European patent application may receive reimbursement of up to 50% of professional service fees.
• Voucher of €1,500:
  For the registration of new plant varieties at the EU level (Community Plant Varieties), reimbursement of up to 75% of eligible costs is available.

Who Can Benefit from the Program

Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises from EU countries, as well as companies from Ukraine that meet the SME criteria, including sole proprietors, are eligible to participate in the program.

The classification of enterprises as SMEs depends on the number of employees and the level of annual turnover:

• Micro-enterprises:
  up to 10 employees and an annual turnover of up to €2 million;
• Small enterprises:
  up to 50 employees and an annual turnover of up to €10 million;
• Medium-sized enterprises:
  up to 250 employees and an annual turnover of up to €50 million.

What Documents Are Required?

To apply for participation in the SME Fund 2026 program, applicants must prepare a basic set of documents:

• Applicant information (company name, registration number, and registered address);
• VAT registration certificate.
  Self-employed individuals must provide a registration certificate containing their tax identification number;
• Bank account confirmation in euros, required for financial transactions under the program;
• A scanned copy of a signed power of attorney;
• Information on the company’s status, indicating whether the business qualifies as a micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise in accordance with EU criteria.

Why You Should Consider the SME Fund

The SME Fund program enables companies to reduce costs, benefit from professional support in protecting their intellectual property rights, and enhance their overall business competitiveness. The launch of the program in 2026 presents an excellent opportunity to prepare in advance for submitting applications and to take advantage of financial support provided by the European Union.

If you are planning to register a trademark and wish to do so with minimal expenses, we recommend taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the SME Fund without delay, as the available funding is limited and may be exhausted at any time.

We have extensive experience in trademark registration in the European Union and participation in the SME Fundprogram, and we will help you navigate all procedural nuances to obtain a positive decision in the shortest possible time.