Grants for education and training

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

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.

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

Just Transition: investment grants for existing SMEs in Western Macedonia and the Megalopolis area (Phase C)

A 70% grant (micro and small firms) or 60% (medium firms) for sizeable investments by existing businesses in Western Macedonia and the Megalopolis area. Projects must be between €300,000 and €12m. Apply by 16 Nov 2026; proposals are ranked against each other.

• only some areas

Just Transition: investment grants for new and start-up SMEs in Western Macedonia and the Megalopolis area (Phase C)

A 70% grant (micro and small firms) or 60% (medium firms) for anyone setting up a new business, or who started after 1 Jan 2025, in Western Macedonia or the Megalopolis area. Projects must be €300,000–€12m, so it suits serious investments. Apply by 16 Nov 2026.

• only some areas
• 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.

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs – 1 to 6 months with an experienced entrepreneur abroad

If you are starting a business or have less than 3 years' experience as an entrepreneur, you can spend 1 to 6 months working with an experienced entrepreneur in another country. The EU pays €600–€1,200 a month towards travel and living costs, depending on the country. It does not cover everything and you need a full business plan.

• new businesses only

TEPIX III Microcredit Fund (micro-loans of €3,000–€25,000)

A small loan of €3,000–€25,000 for micro businesses and the self-employed, with no property collateral. 60% of the loan is interest-free (75% for women-led businesses) and free mentoring is included. You need at least 1 year in business.

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