Who qualifies for the EUIPO SME Fund
The SME Fund is open to small and medium-sized enterprises established in the European Union. Your business qualifies if it meets the EU SME definition, which is based on headcount and either turnover or balance sheet total.
The EU SME definition
| Category | Staff | Turnover | or Balance sheet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro | under 10 | up to €2m | up to €2m |
| Small | under 50 | up to €10m | up to €10m |
| Medium | under 250 | up to €50m | up to €43m |
You must be under the staff ceiling and under either the turnover or the balance sheet ceiling. Ownership by a larger group can affect the calculation, because linked and partner enterprises are counted in.
Self-employed individuals registered under a national self-employed scheme qualify.
Which countries
All 27 EU member states, and Ukraine.
Being established in the EU is what matters, not the nationality of the owners. A company registered in Spain with owners outside the EU qualifies. A company registered outside the EU does not, even if the owners are EU citizens.
The United Kingdom does not qualify. That is also why the fund cannot be used against UK trademark filings.
What is covered
Voucher 2 covers trademarks and designs at 75% of official fees, at EU level and at national or regional level within the EU.
Other vouchers exist for IP Scans, patents and Community plant varieties, with different reimbursement rates and their own budgets. Those are separate applications.
What is not covered
Our service fee. Only the official office fees are reimbursed.
Filings outside the EU. A UK, US or Swiss trademark is not covered.
Fees paid before the voucher was granted. The sequencing rule again.
Current status
Voucher 2 is closed for 2026 because the budget was exhausted. Vouchers 3 and 4 remain open. Voucher 2 is expected to reopen in October or November 2026.
Join the alert list and we will tell you the day it opens.