SME FUND 2026 starts on 2 February 2026

Trademark application costs often create significant barriers for small businesses seeking intellectual property protection. Specifically, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has recognized this challenge and launched an ambitious €60 million fund to support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) with their IP protection needs.

This new SME Fund 2026 initiative significantly reduces financial obstacles associated with trademark registration and other intellectual property protections. The EUIPO program builds upon previous successful editions, offering comprehensive support for various IP-related activities. Furthermore, the fund covers not only trademarks but extends to patents, designs, and plant variety protections as well.

Importantly, the fund aims to democratize access to intellectual property protection across the European Union, enabling smaller businesses to safeguard their innovations and brand identities. As a result, SMEs can now overcome financial constraints that previously prevented them from securing proper IP protection in competitive markets.

 

 

EUIPO launches €60M fund to support SME IP protection

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has unveiled a major €60 million fund for 2026 to help small and medium-sized enterprises protect their intellectual property assets ¹. This new edition of the “Ideas Powered for business SME Fund” represents a substantial investment in strengthening European businesses through more accessible IP protection.

 

Fund aims to reduce costs for trademarks, patents, and designs

The 2026 SME Fund offers financial assistance through a voucher system that significantly reduces the costs associated with various IP protections. For trademark applications and designs, businesses can receive a 75% reimbursement on fees at national, regional, and EU levels ². This includes application fees, additional class fees, examination, registration, and publication costs.

Moreover, the fund covers patent applications with equally generous support. SMEs can claim 75% reimbursement on national patent applications and state-of-the-art search reports, up to €1,000 ³. For European patents, the fund offers 75% reimbursement on filing and search fees with the European Patent Office, plus 50% on legal costs for drafting and filing applications by professional representatives, with a combined maximum of €2,500 ³.

Additionally, the fund extends to plant variety protection, offering a 75% reimbursement on online application and examination fees before the Community Plant Variety Office, up to €1,500 ³. For businesses seeking strategic IP guidance, the fund provides up to 90% reimbursement for IP Scan services ⁴.

The voucher structure allows businesses flexibility in choosing the protections they need:

 

• • Trademark and Design Voucher: Up to €700 for protecting distinctive signs and designs ⁵
  • Patent Voucher: Up to €3,500 for patent applications and related services ⁵
  • Plant Variety Voucher: Up to €1,500 for registering plant varieties within the EU ⁵
  • IP Scan Voucher: Up to €1,350 (varies by country) for strategic IP diagnostics and enforcement ⁵

Initiative builds on success of previous SME Fund editions

The 2026 program builds upon the demonstrable success of earlier editions. The 2025 fund attracted over 31,000 applications from companies seeking to safeguard their assets and strengthen their market position ⁶. In 2024, the fund successfully implemented over 31,000 IP activities, benefiting more than 25,000 companies and achieving a budget execution of €14.7 million ³.

Notably, the program has grown substantially since its inception. The 2022 edition saw 22,479 applications from 27 EU countries, almost double the number received in 2021 ⁶. Throughout its five-year history, the SME Fund has already helped over 72,000 businesses protect their trademarks, designs, patents, and plant varieties ⁶.

Perhaps most significantly, the fund has democratized access to IP protection, with 77% of 2022 applicants seeking IP rights for the first time ⁶. The 2025 edition showed similar results, with approximately 77% of beneficiary companies gaining first-time access to formal IP protection ³. This demonstrates how the fund removes financial barriers that previously prevented many SMEs from securing proper intellectual property safeguards.

Funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, making early application crucial for businesses seeking support ¹. The 2026 edition continues the European Commission’s commitment to helping SMEs protect their intellectual property as outlined in the SME Strategy for a sustainable and digital Europe ¹.

 

Who qualifies for the SME Fund 2026?

Eligibility criteria for the EUIPO’s SME Fund 2026 focus primarily on business size and establishment location. Businesses hoping to benefit from trademark application support must meet specific requirements established under EU regulations.

 

Definition of SMEs under EU law

The European Union defines Small and Medium-sized Enterprises based on three main criteria: staff headcount, annual turnover, and annual balance sheet total. According to EU recommendation 2003/361, businesses must fall within these thresholds ⁴:

 

Category	Staff Headcount	Annual Turnover	Annual Balance Sheet Total
Medium-sized	< 250	≤ €50 million	≤ €43 million
Small	< 50	≤ €10 million	≤ €10 million
Micro	< 10	≤ €2 million	≤ €2 million

These ceilings apply to individual firms only. However, businesses that are part of larger groups may need to include staff headcount, turnover, and balance sheet data from the entire group when determining eligibility ⁴. Consequently, enterprises cannot qualify if 25% or more of their capital or voting rights are directly or indirectly controlled by one or more public bodies ⁴.

 

Eligibility of self-employed and foundations

Self-employed individuals can certainly apply for the SME Fund 2026, provided they can demonstrate involvement in economic activities ⁴. To qualify, they must submit official certification from relevant national authorities proving their economic activity status ⁷. This typically includes a certificate of registration under the national self-employed regime, complete with a tax identification number ⁸.

Likewise, foundations are eligible to apply for trademark registration support through the fund, although with additional restrictions. Foundations must ensure that less than 25% of their capital is held by public entities ⁴. This requirement aligns with the broader EU definition that an enterprise cannot be considered an SME if 25% or more of its capital or voting rights are controlled by public bodies ⁴.

 

Geographic and legal requirements

The primary geographic requirement is straightforward—applicants must be established in the European Union ⁹. The fund was specifically designed to support EU-based businesses seeking trademark protection and other intellectual property rights.

Beyond geographic location, applicants must demonstrate engagement in economic activities, regardless of their legal form ⁷. The EUIPO defines economic activity as “any form of trade or activity done in exchange for payment or commercial gain on the market” ⁷. Therefore, organizations that cannot prove involvement in market-oriented activities are ineligible for support.

Applications may be submitted by business owners themselves, employees, or authorized external representatives acting on the company’s behalf ⁹. Additionally, businesses need to provide a VAT or Tax Identification Number (TIN) certificate issued by their relevant national authority ¹⁰.

These eligibility criteria ensure the EUIPO program directs resources toward genuine small and medium enterprises actively participating in the European economy. For businesses uncertain about their eligibility status, the European Commission offers an SME self-assessment tool that helps determine qualification under the official definition ⁴.

 

What types of IP support are covered under the fund?

The EUIPO’s SME Fund 2026 operates through a voucher system that covers various intellectual property services. These vouchers enable businesses to claim reimbursements for different IP-related activities, depending on their specific needs.

 

IP Scan: Strategic diagnosis and enforcement

Initially, the fund offers IP Scan services with 90% reimbursement of costs ¹. This pre-diagnostic service connects businesses directly with designated IP experts from national IP offices who examine the company’s business model, products, services, and growth plans ¹¹. Throughout the assessment, experts help determine which intangible assets to protect and develop an appropriate IP strategy ¹¹.

IP Scan covers all intellectual property rights, including trademarks, designs, patents, utility models, plant varieties, geographical indications, and unregistered rights such as copyrights, trade secrets, company names, and domain names ¹². Following the assessment, businesses receive a comprehensive report with recommendations for managing, protecting, and developing their IP rights ¹².

 

Trademark and design registration support

For trademark and design protection, the SME Fund provides 75% reimbursement of application fees at EU, national, and regional levels ¹. This includes costs for additional classes, examination, registration, publication, and deferment of publication ².

Alongside domestic coverage, the fund offers 50% reimbursement for international trademark and design applications, including basic application fees, designation fees, and subsequent designation fees outside the EU ². The maximum voucher amount for trademark and design support is €700 ¹³.

 

Patent application and legal cost coverage

Patent protection receives substantial support with 75% reimbursement for several services ¹. These include prior art search reports conducted by national IP offices, which help identify potential obstacles before applying for patents ¹⁴.

The fund also covers 75% of national patent pre-grant fees (filing, search, examination), grant fees, and publication costs ¹. For European patents filed with the European Patent Office (EPO), businesses can claim 75% reimbursement of filing and search fees ¹⁵.

Interestingly, legal costs also receive support, with 50% reimbursement (maximum €1,500) for European patent application drafting and filing services ¹⁵. These services must be delivered by professional representatives established in the EU and entered in the EPO official list ¹⁵. The overall patent voucher has a maximum value of €3,500 ¹³.

 

Plant variety protection assistance

The fund extends to plant variety protection with 75% reimbursement of online application and examination fees for community plant variety rights at the EU level ¹. This voucher has a maximum value of €1,500 ¹³. It’s important to note that paper applications are not eligible for reimbursement under the SME Fund ¹⁶.

Since its launch in 2021, the SME Fund has supported more than 80,000 SMEs across Europe in protecting their intellectual property and fostering innovation ⁶. The 2025 edition saw tremendous demand, with patent and plant variety vouchers reaching their allocation limits within just eight days of opening ⁶.

 

What are the limitations and exclusions of the fund?

While the SME Fund 2026 provides substantial support for intellectual property protection, businesses must understand its key limitations before applying for trademark application assistance. The fund operates under specific restrictions that affect both eligibility and implementation.

 

Non-eligible expenses and retroactive claims

One fundamental limitation is that vouchers are not retroactive under any circumstances. Businesses must first apply for and receive the relevant voucher before initiating any IP activities. All costs incurred prior to the grant decision notification remain ineligible for reimbursement ¹⁷. This rule applies strictly across all voucher types, making proper planning essential for businesses seeking support.

Besides timing restrictions, several expense categories fall outside the fund’s coverage. Most notably, the SME Fund does not cover renewal fees for existing intellectual property rights ⁴. Furthermore, expenses not directly linked to registration or the IP services specified in the call for applications remain ineligible ⁴.

Importantly, businesses cannot request grants from the SME Fund if they have already received EU funding for the same or part of the same activity ¹. This prevents double funding and ensures resources reach more beneficiaries throughout the European Union.

 

Voucher usage rules and activation periods

The EUIPO program enforces strict timeframes for voucher activation. After receiving approval, businesses must activate vouchers within specific periods:

 

• • IP Scan & IP Scan Enforcement (Voucher 1): 6 months ³
  • Trademarks and Designs (Voucher 2): 1 month (extendable by 1 month) ³
  • Patents (Voucher 3): 1 month (extendable by 1 month) ³
  • Plant Varieties (Voucher 4): 1 month (extendable by 1 month) ³

Activation requires submitting at least one reimbursement request within these timeframes. Failing to activate a voucher results in expiration, with no possibility to request the same type of voucher again during that calendar year ¹³. For instance, if a trademark registration voucher expires unused, the business cannot apply for another trademark voucher until the next annual fund opens.

After activation, vouchers 2-4 provide an additional 6-month implementation period to use any remaining balance ⁵. Throughout this period, beneficiaries may continue implementing eligible activities and submit related reimbursement requests.

Lastly, the fund operates on a first-come, first-served basis until available resources are depleted ¹⁸. In previous editions, certain voucher types reached their allocation limits within days of opening, particularly for patents and plant varieties. Due to high demand, businesses planning trademark applications should prepare their documentation well in advance to secure funding support.

 

How did the 2025 SME Fund perform and what can we expect in 2026?

Analyzing results from previous funding rounds reveals crucial insights for businesses planning trademark applications in the upcoming cycle. The 2025 SME Fund demonstrated unprecedented demand across European Union member states, establishing performance benchmarks for the 2026 program.

 

Application volume and budget execution in 2025

The response to the 2025 SME Fund proved exceptionally strong, with more than 35,800 applications submitted by over 34,000 SMEs throughout the European Union ⁴. This substantial interest translated into funding for more than 31,000 intellectual property activities, ultimately benefiting over 25,000 companies ⁴. In essence, the program achieved a budget execution of €14.7 million ⁴, demonstrating efficient allocation of resources across various IP protection categories.

Processing efficiency remained a highlight of the 2025 program, with average resolution times of approximately 8 working days ⁴. Subsequently, payments were typically processed within 28 days ⁴, allowing businesses to manage cash flow effectively during the trademark registration process.

 

First-time IP protection access for many SMEs

Perhaps most revealing about the program’s impact, roughly 77% of beneficiary companies in 2025 accessed formal intellectual property protection for the first time ⁴. This statistic underscores how the fund successfully eliminated financial barriers for businesses previously unable to protect their innovations through trademarks, patents, designs, or plant varieties.

Historically, the SME Fund has supported over 72,000 businesses in protecting their IP rights since its inception ¹⁰. The 2025 edition further solidified the program’s role in democratizing access to intellectual property protection across Europe.

 

Expected demand and early application advice

For the 2026 edition, businesses should anticipate similar allocation methods with funds granted on a first-come, first-served basis until resources are exhausted ⁴. Given past patterns, interested companies should consider these strategic approaches:

 

• • • • Prepare application documentation well before the official opening date
      • Prioritize submissions in the first weeks, as significant portions of funding typically commit rapidly
      • Act with particular urgency for patent and plant variety vouchers, which historically deplete fastest ⁴
  • Monitor EUIPO announcements closely for any program modifications

In light of experiences from previous rounds, early preparation becomes essential for success in securing trademark application funding through the 2026 program. Past editions have demonstrated that delays often result in missed opportunities as allocations reach their limits within days or weeks of opening.

 

Conclusion

The EUIPO’s €60 million SME Fund 2026 represents a significant opportunity for small and medium enterprises throughout the European Union to protect their intellectual property assets. This ambitious program effectively removes financial barriers that previously prevented many businesses from securing proper trademark, patent, design, and plant variety protections. Additionally, the voucher system provides substantial reimbursements—up to 90% for IP Scan services and 75% for most application fees—making intellectual property protection considerably more accessible.

Past performance clearly indicates the fund’s impact on the European business landscape. Previous editions helped over 72,000 businesses protect their innovations, with the 2025 fund alone supporting more than 31,000 IP activities across 25,000 companies. Therefore, businesses planning to apply for the 2026 edition should prepare thoroughly and submit applications as early as possible, considering the first-come, first-served allocation method.

The fund’s most remarkable achievement remains democratizing access to intellectual property protection. Approximately 77% of beneficiaries in recent editions secured their first-ever IP rights through the program. This statistic underscores the fund’s crucial role in helping SMEs overcome financial constraints that previously left their innovations vulnerable in competitive markets.

SMEs meeting the eligibility requirements now have a valuable opportunity to strengthen their market positions through proper IP protection. Nevertheless, interested businesses must act decisively, as high demand typically depletes available resources quickly—especially for patent and plant variety vouchers. Undoubtedly, the SME Fund 2026 continues the European Commission’s commitment to supporting small businesses while fostering innovation across the European Union.