Grants for health businesses

EIT Health – Innovation Validation Call 2027 for digital medical devices

Grants of up to €850,000 per project (up to 50% of the budget) for consortia led by a company that needs to finish clinical validation and certification (e.g. CE) of a digital or AI medical device. A small or micro lead company receives €400,000–€500,000. The lead also signs a financial sustainability contribution agreement with EIT Health.

• for research projects

‘Kainotomo in Crete’ – 75% grants for new innovative micro and small businesses

A 75% grant for new innovative micro and small businesses in Crete — either about to be set up or started since 1 January 2021. Plans of €30,000–€150,000, so grants of €22,500–€112,500. Your product or service must be demonstrably innovative and fit Crete’s priority sectors.

• new businesses only
• for innovative start-ups

EIC Accelerator – funding for breakthrough startups and SMEs

A grant of up to €2.5 million (covering 70% of costs) and, if you want, €1–10 million of equity from the EIC Fund for companies with breakthrough technology close to market. It is for startups and SMEs. Competition is very tough and there are three stages, ending with a jury interview.

• for research projects
• for innovative start-ups

UNITE – 2nd open call for interregional digital health projects (Central Macedonia)

Up to €600,000 per organisation (up to €1 million per project) for joint digital health projects between European regions. In Greece only organisations in Central Macedonia can take part. You need a consortium with a company, a research body and an end user (e.g. a hospital) from three regions.

• for research projects

Epicheiro Sterea – investment grants for existing SMEs in Central Greece

A 70% grant (75% for green projects) for existing small and medium businesses in Central Greece that invest in machinery, premises, software or promotion. Larger plans (€200k–€800k) can instead get 40–60%. You need two closed financial years (2023 and 2024), and applications are ranked against each other.

EIC STEP Scale Up – €10–30 million equity for deep-tech companies raising a large funding round

Equity of €10–30 million from the EIC Fund for fast-growing digital/deep-tech, clean-tech or biotech companies raising a round of roughly €50–150 million. It is not a grant: the EIC becomes a shareholder alongside other investors. It only suits the few companies that already have investors lined up for the round.

• for innovative start-ups

In-company staff training in strategic technologies (STEP) and defence & security

ESPA pays 50% of training your staff in cutting-edge technologies (digital, clean energy, biotech/health, defence). It is for companies with at least 100 employees. The catch: your total training spending must not drop below your usual level, and money goes first come, first served.

• first come, first served

Investment grants for SMEs in strategic technologies (STEP) and defence (pre-announced)

A 50% grant (67% for new firms) for SME investments in cutting-edge technologies (digital, clean energy, pharma/biotech) or defence, up to €200,000 per company. Only a pre-announcement is out, so you cannot apply yet and terms may change.

National funding for Greek partners in Horizon Europe co-funded partnerships (e.g. Eurostars)

If your company is a partner in a European research project selected in a Horizon Europe partnership call (e.g. Eurostars), this is where you get the Greek share of the funding. Companies are covered up to 70%. It is not for new ideas: you need an already selected project.

• for research projects

Research & Innovation Partnerships in Attica (ATT130)

A grant for a research project your company runs together with a university or research centre in Attica. Projects can be up to €400,000 in total and mainly pay researchers' salaries. You need a research partner and at least one full year of closed accounts; proposals are ranked against each other.

• for research projects

EIC Pre-accelerator 2027 – €0.5–1 million grants for deep-tech start-ups in 'Widening' countries such as Greece

A €500,000–€1,000,000 grant (70% of costs) for a single deep-tech start-up or SME based in a 'Widening' country such as Greece, to take its technology from the lab towards the market within up to 2 years. The call opens on 5 May 2027 and closes on 18 Nov 2027. Competition is tough and the company covers the other 30%.

• for research projects
• for innovative start-ups

EquiFund II – venture capital for innovative companies (life sciences, sustainability)

This is not a grant: venture capital funds put money into your company and become shareholders, using money that includes ESPA funds. It targets innovative firms in health/life sciences and in sustainability/social impact. You pitch directly to the funds, which decide themselves.

• for innovative start-ups

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.

Planned: grants for new micro, small and medium businesses in Central Greece

Central Greece is preparing a €10 million call for business plans of new micro, small and medium businesses in smart-specialisation (RIS3) sectors. Expected in the second half of 2026; amounts, rates and rules are not yet announced.

• new businesses only

"New Opportunity": start-up grants for unemployed and part-time workers in Epirus (ΠΗΠΕ-06)

A 70–90% grant to start your own very small business in Epirus if you are unemployed or work part-time or seasonally. Your business plan can be €10,000–€50,000 (up to €60,000 with more than one founder). Closes 21 Oct 2026; applications are ranked against each other.

• new businesses only
• for unemployed founders

Investment support for critical (STEP) technologies in Eastern Macedonia & Thrace

An €8m scheme in Eastern Macedonia & Thrace for investments in 'critical technologies' under the EU STEP platform (digital and deep tech, clean tech, biotech). Planned for November 2026 – January 2027 and open to businesses of any size, including start-ups. Terms have not been announced.

Planned: grants for business investments in EU strategic technologies (STEP) – Western Greece

Western Greece plans a €3 million call for businesses investing in EU ‘strategic technologies’ (the STEP initiative), such as digital, clean/green technologies or biotech. Expected from November 2026; amounts and rules have not been announced.

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