SME Fund 2026: Funding for EU, National and International IP Filings

The SME Fund 2026, launched by the European Commission and implemented by EUIPO, is now open (2 February- 4 December 2026). Importantly, the scheme covers not only EUIPO filings, but also applications filed with national IP offices (e.g. the Polish Patent Office- UPRP), as well as international registrations.

In practice, the programme allows businesses to:

• protect their brands locally (e.g. in Poland) or at EU level, depending on their strategy,
• reduce the cost of entering international markets,
• secure key IP assets at an early stage with limited budget impact.

What does the SME Fund cover?

The programme provides financial support across several types of IP protection, including:

• Trademarks and designs– up to 75% reimbursement (EU, national and regional offices) and 50% for international filings (WIPO)
• Patents– up to 75% reimbursement of national and European patent fees (including filing, search, and examination fees), plus a 50% reimbursement of legal costs specifically for drafting and filing a new European patent application
• Community Plant varieties – up to 75% reimbursement at EU level

Key caps:

• up to EUR 700 (trademarks/designs)
• up to EUR 3,500 (patents) – the patent support is structured with separate caps for national and European patent costsreaching this total: up to EUR 1,000 for national patents and up to EUR 2,500 for European patents (which includes max EUR 1,000 for EPO filing and search fees and max EUR 1,500 for legal costs)
• up to EUR 1,500 (Community plant varieties).

Who Is Eligible for the SME Fund 2026?

The SME Fund is available to small and medium-sized enterprises established in the European Union, as well as to SMEs established in Ukraine.

For Ukraine-based SMEs, they must operate in territories that are under the effective control of the Ukrainian government at the time the application is submitted. For international trademark and design applications administered by WIPO, Ukraine-based SMEs can only be reimbursed when they designate the EU (EUIPO) and EU Member States.

The company must qualify as a micro, small, or medium-sized enterprise based on the following thresholds:

• Medium-sized: Headcount of fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover of up to EUR 50 million or an annual balance sheet total of up to EUR 43 million.
• Small: Headcount of fewer than 50 employees and an annual turnover or annual balance sheet total of up to EUR 10 million.
• Micro: Headcount of fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or annual balance sheet total of up to EUR 2 million.

Self-employed persons are eligible to apply, provided they submit an official certificate issued by the relevant national authority proving that they are involved in an economic activity

What Documents Are Required for the SME Fund Application?

To apply for funding, the SME must provide basic identification and banking documentation, including:

• Tax identification document (VAT or TIN certificate confirming business activity)
• Bank account confirmation, including company name, IBAN and BIC/SWIFT (the account must accept EUR transfers)
• Authorisation document, if the application is submitted by a representative (signed by both parties)

How Does the SME Fund Application Process Work?

The process starts with submitting an application under the SME Fund. Only after the grant is approved the applicant can proceed with filing the relevant IP rights- whether at EU level (EUIPO), before a national office, or internationally.

It is important to emphasise that costs incurred before the grant is awarded are not eligible for reimbursement.

After receiving the grant, applicants must also act without delay. Each voucher is subject to strict activation deadlines- typically one month for trademarks, designs, patents and plant varieties (with a possible one-month extension).

A voucher is activated only once a reimbursement request is submitted within the applicable timeframe. Failure to do so results in the voucher expiring and the grant being cancelled, without the possibility of reapplying for the same voucher in the same year.

Once the IP has been filed and the applicable fees have been paid, the applicant submits a reimbursement request together with supporting documentation. Reimbursement is made only after EUIPO receives and verifies complete evidence of both the filing and payment of the relevant fees. Reimbursements are always paid directly to the SME, regardless of whether the application is filed by a representative.

How Do We Support Businesses in Securing IP Protection and Funding?

Making effective use of the SME Fund is not only about obtaining funding, but also about aligning it with a broader IP strategy. In practice, this means selecting the appropriate filing route, verifying trademark availability, and ensuring that the scope of protection aligns with business objectives.

We support clients at every stage of this process- from initial assessment, through reimbursement, to filing for the appropriate IP right- helping to structure it in a way that minimises risk and enables full use of the available funding. If you are considering applying for SME Fund support or would like to assess how it fits into your IP strategy, feel free to contact our team.