Business grants in the North Aegean

Just Transition hiring subsidy: up to 100% of wage costs for 12 months (DYPA)

If you hire an unemployed person full-time in Western Macedonia, the Megalopolis area or a small island, DYPA pays €829.50 a month (70%) for 12 months, or €1,185 a month (100%) if the worker comes from lignite or energy. Money is given until it runs out, so apply quickly.

• only some areas
• first come, first served

Grants for tourism and farm-product processing businesses in Chios town, Mytilene and five small North Aegean islands

A 50–70% grant for existing small and medium businesses investing in tourism or in processing farm products. Only investments in Chios town, Mytilene town, Ikaria, Fournoi, Oinousses, Psara and Agios Efstratios qualify. Grants go up to €210,000.

• only some areas

Just Transition Loan Fund – loans with 50% interest-free (lignite areas & small islands)

A €5,000–€500,000 loan for businesses in the lignite areas (Western Macedonia, Megalopoli) and on small islands: HDB lends 50% interest-free and the bank the rest, with a 3-point interest subsidy for 3 years. De minimis rules apply.

• only some areas

Just Transition Guarantee Fund for investment loans (80% guarantee)

A bank investment loan with an 80% HDB guarantee for businesses in Western Macedonia, Megalopoli and nearby municipalities, and on small islands. 3-point interest subsidy for the first 2 years and collateral of at most 30% of the loan.

• only some areas

Investment grants for medium and large companies in strategic technologies (STEP) and defence, outside Attica (pre-announced)

A 40–60% grant, up to €3m, for large investments (€2m–€6m) by medium and large companies in STEP technologies or defence. It must be a new production activity outside Attica. Only a pre-announcement exists so far.

Just Transition: start-up grants for unemployed people in lignite areas and small islands (planned, DYPA)

A new programme will fund 1,000 unemployed people to start their own business in Western Macedonia, the Megalopolis area and small islands, with priority for 18–29 year-olds and women. DYPA has not opened applications yet and the amount per person is not announced.

• only some areas
• new businesses only
• sectors to be announced
• for unemployed founders

EUIPO SME Fund 2026 – vouchers for patents, plant varieties and geographical indications

The EU refunds part of the fees to protect an invention or a plant variety: up to €2,500 for a patent, up to €1,500 for a plant variety, and up to €2,000 for a geographical indication for craft or industrial products. The application is simple and online. Note: trade mark and design vouchers are used up for 2026, and the rest are first come, first served.

• first come, first served

Creative Europe MEDIA – TV and online content (production)

Grants from €70,000 to €2 million to produce series, films or documentaries for TV and online platforms. The amount depends on the production budget. At least 40% of the financing must already be secured from third parties (e.g. broadcasters, platforms).

Hiring subsidy for 5,000 unemployed people over 50 in private businesses (DYPA)

If you hire an unemployed person over 50 full-time, DYPA pays for 18 months €628 a month for men, €816.40 for women or €1,004.80 for long-term unemployed people (over 3 years registered) — up to €18,086 per hire. Alternatively, under the EU block exemption rules, you get 50% of the cost up to €1,000 a month for 12 or 18 months. You must not have cut staff, and you keep the worker for the whole period.

Hiring subsidy for unemployed women, with priority for mothers (DYPA)

If you hire an unemployed woman, DYPA pays 70% of wages and contributions for 12 months — 80% if she is the mother of a child up to 15, long-term unemployed, or the job is part-time. The subsidy can be extended by 3 months. Places are limited, so apply early.

Creative Europe MEDIA – European Slate Development

Grants of €90,000–€510,000 for independent production companies developing 3 to 5 films or series (fiction, animation, creative documentary) for international release. You need a proven track record: two works since 2020 commercially released in at least three other countries.

Creative Europe MEDIA – Video games and immersive content development

A grant of up to €200,000 (60% of costs) to develop a new narrative video game or interactive immersive experience (e.g. VR/XR). It is for game, XR and audiovisual studios that have commercially released a work since 2024.

Agrifood – farm production and processing of agricultural products (Development Law, 2nd call)

The state pays part of an investment in farm production or in a plant that processes agricultural products (buildings, machinery, equipment). Aid comes as a tax exemption, a cash grant, a leasing subsidy or a wage subsidy for new jobs. The catch: a minimum project of €50,000–€1,000,000 depending on size, 25% must be your own money or a bank loan, and projects are scored and ranked.

Dual-use investment aid for defence, vehicle and aircraft manufacturing (1st call)

A tax incentive for plants that make weapons, ammunition, motor vehicles, vehicle parts, aircraft or military vehicles: the investment cost is deducted from income with a 100% uplift (super-deduction), plus fast-track licensing. It targets large industrial projects – consultants cite a €3 million minimum.

European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) in Greece – free or discounted digital services

Greece's European Digital Innovation Hubs help you digitalise your business: a digital maturity check, testing technologies (such as AI) before you buy, training and help finding funding. Services are usually free or discounted. You get no cash; the value of the service counts as state aid.

TEPIX III Guarantee Fund – General Entrepreneurship (state-guaranteed bank loans)

You borrow from a bank and the Hellenic Development Bank (HDB) guarantees 70% of the loan, with no guarantee fee. The bank therefore asks for less collateral (at most 30% of the loan) and the interest rate is cut by 2–3 points for the first 2 years. The bank still decides whether to lend.

TEPIX III Guarantee Fund – micro and small businesses up to 5 years old (80% state guarantee)

For young businesses up to 5 years old: HDB guarantees 80% of the bank loan with no guarantee fee and cuts the interest rate by 2–3 points for the first 2 years. Investment loans up to €1.5m and working capital up to €200,000. The bank still decides whether to lend.

• new businesses only

Paid 6-month work-experience placements for unemployed people aged 30+ in private businesses (DYPA)

Your business hosts an unemployed person aged 30+ for 6 months and DYPA pays their allowance directly. They gain experience and you try out a worker without paying their allowance. Applications stay open until the budget runs out.