Yes. The programme supports micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in line with the EU definition of SMEs, which generally includes businesses with:

• fewer than 250 employees, and
• annual turnover below €50 million or total assets below €43 million.

Additional eligibility criteria apply depending on the country and type of investment. Please refer to the Who Can Apply section on your country page for full details.

Even though the programme targets MSMEs, the official EU classification is “SME” (micro is included in SME).

Businesses apply through partner financial institutions (PFIs) participating in the programme in their country. These banks and leasing companies provide loans or leasing products that finance eligible investments.

→ See How to Apply section on your country page for step-by-step guidance

No. Applications are submitted through participating partner banks and leasing companies in your country. These financial institutions assess loan applications and provide financing under the programme.

The programme supports investments that help businesses modernise operations, improve productivity and adopt energy-efficient or EU-compliant technologies. Eligible investments typically include equipment upgrades, modern production technologies, and resource-efficient solutions.

Eligibility rules may vary by country and project type. Detailed guidance is available on the country pages and in the What We Offer section.

The investment incentive is paid after the financed project has been completed and independently verified to confirm that it meets programme eligibility and technical requirements. Once verification is successful, the incentive is paid to the business as a cash-back grant.

EU-funded technical experts provide advisory support throughout the investment process. This may include guidance on technology selection, energy efficiency improvements, compliance with EU standards and project preparation.

In some countries or programmes, additional incentives may be available for specific groups or investment priorities. Details are provided on the country pages of this website.

Our team and partner financial institutions are available to guide you through the process — from exploring eligibility to implementing your investment project.

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