As an entrepreneur, you undoubtedly know that investing in IP protection gives your SME extra commercial and legal clout. But did you also know that the European Union provides financial support for this?
The European Commission and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) will once again make SME vouchers available to small and medium-sized enterprises in 2026. With this initiative, Europe aims to encourage SMEs to better protect their intellectual property.
Read this article to learn what SME vouchers are, who is eligible for them, and why you shouldn’t wait too long to apply.
What are SME vouchers?
SME vouchers are European grants for SMEs. They work according to a simple principle: first, you apply for a voucher; then, you register a trademark, design, or patent; and finally, you request a partial reimbursement of the costs.
The support is provided through the SME Fund, an initiative of the European Commission administered by the EUIPO. The program runs from February 2 through December 4, 2026, or until the available budget is exhausted.
Why are these vouchers worthwhile?
Many entrepreneurs view intellectual property as a cost. In reality, it is an investment in the value of your business. A registered trademark protects your name and brand identity. A design protects the appearance of your product. A patent protects your technical inventions. These rights make it harder for competitors to copy your ideas and increase the value of your business for investors and partners. With SME vouchers, Europe is lowering the financial barrier to effectively securing that protection.
What types of SME vouchers are available?
In 2026, there will be four types of vouchers
Voucher 1: IP Scan
An IP Scan provides an analysis of the intellectual property within your company. It gives you insight into which assets deserve protection and how to manage them strategically. You can receive up to a 90% reimbursement for the costs of an IP Scan.
Voucher 2: Trademarks and Designs
This voucher supports the registration of trademarks and designs at the national, European, and international levels. The maximum reimbursement is 700 euros.
Voucher 3: Patents
Are you working on a technical innovation? Then you can use this voucher to receive a partial reimbursement of the costs for national or European patent applications.
- 75% reimbursement of the fees for a prior art search report
- 75% reimbursement of the costs incurred prior to the grant of a patent
- 50% reimbursement of the costs for filing and searches related to European patents applied for at the EPO
Voucher 4: Community Plant Variety Rights
Companies that develop new plant varieties can receive financial assistance from the EU to protect plant breeders’ rights within the EU. You can receive a refund of up to 75% of the application and examination fees for a Community plant variety right.
Which vouchers are still available today?
It’s important to act quickly. Due to high demand, Voucher 1 (IP Scan) and Voucher 2 (trademarks and designs) are currently exhausted for new applications.
Voucher 3 (patents) and Voucher 4 (plant variety rights) are currently still available. The EUIPO recommends checking the website regularly, as the situation may still change.
Who can apply for an SME voucher?
All small and medium-sized enterprises that meet the EU definition of an SME and are established in an EU member state are eligible. The application can be submitted by the company director, an employee, or a representative acting on behalf of the company. Reimbursement is always made directly to the company.
How do you apply for a voucher?
Many entrepreneurs make the mistake of first applying for a trademark or patent and only then looking into subsidies. That is not the correct order. You must first apply for the voucher and wait for approval from the EUIPO. Only then may you file the application for protection if you wish to be eligible for reimbursement.
Broadly speaking, the process works as follows:
- Apply for your voucher through the SME Fund
- Receive approval from the EUIPO
- Submit your trademark, design, or patent application
- Pay the fees
- Request the reimbursement
- The EUIPO reimburses the subsidy amount
Patent vouchers are still available—act fast
The SME Fund operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the budget is exhausted, the EUIPO closes the relevant voucher to new applications. This already happened in 2026 for the IP Scan vouchers and for the trademarks and designs vouchers. If you’re planning to apply for a patent, be sure to request your voucher soon.
Set a strategic course for your IP
An SME voucher is a nice bonus. But the key question remains: which intellectual property do you want to protect, where, and when?
Our IP experts would be happy to help you determine which intellectual property strategy best supports your business objectives. Together, we’ll assess what protection makes sense, what subsidies are available, and how you can get the most out of your intellectual property.
Would you like to know if your company is eligible for an SME voucher, or do you have questions about protecting your innovation? We’d be happy to help you get started.
