The SME Fund 2026 is a European Commission funding program implemented by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). It runs from February 2, 2026 to December 4, 2026 and is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises that want to protect their intellectual property rights. This explicitly includes trademark applications.
For many companies, registering a trademark is a strategic step, but one that is associated with official fees. This is precisely where the SME Fund comes in: It grants subsidies in the form of vouchers that can be used to reimburse part of these fees.
Who is considered an eligible SME?
SMEs based in the European Union or Ukraine are eligible to apply. The EU definition of an SME is decisive. In particular, the number of employees and the turnover or balance sheet total are decisive. A company is generally considered an SME if it has fewer than 250 employees and does not exceed certain financial thresholds.
The application can be submitted by the owner himself, by an employee or by an appropriately authorized external representative. Reimbursement is made directly to the company.
Which promotion affects brands?
The SME Fund works with so-called vouchers. “Voucher 2” is particularly relevant for trademark applications, which concerns trademarks and designs. According to the EUIPO, up to 75% of the application fees can be reimbursed, depending on the type of IP application. The subsidy relates exclusively to official fees, not to consultancy or representation costs.
In addition to trademarks, designs, patents, plant varieties and so-called IP scan services are also eligible for funding. For IP scans, i.e. a preliminary diagnosis of the IP situation, up to 90% of the costs can even be reimbursed. For companies that want to develop their brand strategy first, this can be a sensible upstream step.
How does the procedure work?
The process is formalized and has clear deadlines. First, the company registers on the SME fund portal and submits the application. This includes, in particular, proof of the VAT identification number or national registration number, a bank statement with full IBAN and BIC/SWIFT and – if a representative is acting – a signed power of attorney.
Once the application has been submitted, the EUIPO examines the documents. The decision on approval is made within 15 working days. If the application is approved, the company receives a grant commitment and the corresponding voucher.
The subsequent activation period is particularly important. For brands (voucher 2), the voucher must be activated within one month of receiving the grant. A one-off extension for a further month is possible. Activation does not take place automatically, but by submitting a request for reimbursement after payment of the relevant fees. If the deadline is missed, the voucher expires and cannot be applied for again in the same year for the same purpose.
The so-called implementation period begins with the activation. For brands, this is six months. During this period, further eligible measures can be carried out and settled. Once the application for reimbursement has been duly submitted, the EUIPO usually pays out within one month.
Strategic classification for trademark applications
The SME fund reduces costs, but does not replace a trademark strategy. The decision as to whether a national trademark, a European Union trademark or an international registration makes sense should be made independently of the funding. Equally important is a careful definition of the list of goods and services and a prior conflict check.
The grant is particularly useful if an application is planned anyway. It can be used for the initial registration of a core brand as well as for an extension at EU level or an international expansion. However, companies should plan for the grant at an early stage, as the application should only be filed after the voucher has been approved.
Typical sources of error
In practice, problems often arise not due to the material requirements, but due to formal omissions. Incomplete or illegible documents, missing IBAN verifications, missed activation deadlines or the submission of password-protected PDFs regularly lead to a refund failing. It is also sometimes overlooked that the voucher must be actively applied for and used by the deadline.
Conclusion on the practical significance
The SME Fund 2026 is a structured reimbursement program with clear guidelines. For SMEs that are planning to apply for a trademark anyway, it offers a realistic opportunity to significantly reduce official fees. However, proper preparation, compliance with deadlines and strategically well thought-out IP planning are crucial.
If you take these points into account, you can effectively integrate the promotion into your trademark strategy and reduce the financial burden of an application without compromising on the quality of the legal protection.
