Action Notice: “SME Outward Orientation'”
Introduction
Enhancing the international orientation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is a strategic priority for the development of the Greek economy. In this context, the “SME Outward Orientation” initiative aims to support investment projects that strengthen the competitiveness and international presence of Greek SMEs through the adoption of innovative technologies, product upgrades, and participation in international trade fairs.
The total budget amounts to 200.000.000 € in public expenditure, allocated as follows:
- 156.000.000 € for Less Developed Regions (North Aegean, Eastern Macedonia – Thrace, Central Macedonia, Epirus, Thessaly, Western Greece, Crete, Western Macedonia, Ionian Islands, Central Greece, Peloponnese) and
- 44.000.000 € for Transition Regions (Attica and South Aegean).
Eligible Enterprises & Participation Requirements
Under the present Action, beneficiaries of the aid may be existing Small, Very Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises which, prior to the date of electronic submission of the funding application.
- Have at least one (1) full closed management year of operation (i.e. a continuous twelve-month period)
- Are substantially active (Main Activity Code or Activity Code with the highest revenue) on the date of electronic submission of the funding application in at least one (1) eligible NACE activity code
- Possess the eligible investment NACE code(s) listed in the Annex
- Have at least one (1) Annual Work Unit (dependent employment) during the calendar year preceding the submission of the funding application (to be verified based on the declared data kept for the enterprise in the ERGANI information system)
It is noted that the subsidized budget of the investment plan may not exceed twice the highest turnover achieved in one of the three (or fewer, if the enterprise does not have three) closed fiscal years preceding the submission of the funding application, with a maximum aid limit of 200.000 €.
For enterprises to be eligible for funding, they must, among others:
- Operate legally in Greece.
- Possess the appropriate NACE codes prior to the application.
- Have at least one closed fiscal year.
- Not have completed the physical scope of the investment before submission.
- Belong to specific legal forms (S.A., Ltd., P.C., General Partnership, etc.).
- Not be under bankruptcy, liquidation, restructuring, or subject to recovery of state aid.
- Hold a valid operating license or have initiated the licensing procedure.
- Not have exceeded the 300.000 € de minimis aid limit within a three-year period.
- Submit only one application per Tax ID Number (VAT number).
- Ensure at least 25% own participation in the project.
- Be registered in the Beneficial Ownership Register.
- Commit to ensuring accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwD), where required.
- Ensure that the subsidized budget does not exceed twice the highest turnover from the last three fiscal years.
- Achieve a minimum score of 75 points in the evaluation.
Non-Eligible Enterprises:
- Public bodies and affiliated enterprises with participation exceeding 25%.
- Offshore companies, financial institutions, and insurance organizations.
- Sports clubs, sports S.A. companies, and related activities.
- Enterprises operating under franchising or within an organized distribution network, where the activity is based on the granting of intellectual property rights (trademarks, know-how).
Type and Level of Aid
The minimum budget of each investment plan is set at 80.000 €.
The total subsidized budget of the investment plan may not exceed twice the highest turnover achieved in one of the three (or fewer, if the enterprise does not have three) closed fiscal years preceding the submission of the funding application, with a maximum aid limit of 200.000 €.
The aid rates for funding applications are uniform across all eligible expenses of the investment plans and range from 40% to 50% of the subsidized budget, depending on the Region Category in which the project is implemented.
It is mandatory for the supported enterprise to achieve an increase in its exports [(compared to its export value in the base year (tax year 2024)] of at least 70% of the public funding received upon completion, which must be achieved no later than three (3) years after the completion of the project. In the event of non-compliance, a penalty will be imposed in accordance with the provisions of the call.
If the submitted investment plan has a budget lower than 80.000 €, it will be deemed non-eligible from the outset and cannot be submitted.
Implementation Duration
The implementation period of the funded investments is set at eighteen (18) months, starting from the date of the electronic notification of the final approval of the funding application (evaluation result or appeal evaluation result).
Requests for an extension beyond the above deadline may be submitted and examined only in cases of force majeure.
Eligible Expenditures
The eligibility start date for expenditures is defined as the date of electronic submission of the funding application. Otherwise, the expenditure is deemed non-eligible and, consequently, is deducted from the subsidized budget of the investment plan. When formulating the proposed subsidized budget of investment plans, the enterprise is required to link the requested expenditures to the following categories of eligible costs:
Evaluation Criteria
The scoring criteria are presented below. It is noted that the minimum score required for the approval of an investment project is 75 points.
Criterion 1: Interest Coverage Ratio
(EBIT / Interest Expenses) as a measure of the enterprise’s short-term liquidity/solvency.
Weighting Factor: 20%
Criterion 2: Human Capital Cost Ratio
Personnel expenses as a percentage of total sales (turnover) that the enterprise allocates to its human resources.
Weighting Factor: 15%
Criterion 3: Sales of Goods and Services Abroad as a Percentage of Total Sales
Assesses the enterprise’s export orientation (extroversion).
Weighting Factor: 15%
Criterion 4: Securing the Private Participation of the Investment Project
Confirmation that the private contribution is secured by the company’s partners/shareholders.
Weighting Factor: 20%
Criterion 5: Grant-Aided Budget in Relation to the Company’s Turnover
Assesses the degree of dependency (low/high investment risk) of the Investment Project’s implementation in relation to the company’s highest turnover achieved within the three-year period preceding the year of submission of the funding application.
Weighting Factor: 15%
Criterion 6: Description of the Investment Project – Existing Export-Oriented Strategy of the Enterprise
Evaluates the completeness, adequacy, and clarity of the investment project description, with emphasis on international presence, new corporate infrastructure, and the outward/export-oriented focus of the project.
Weighting Factor: 10%
Criterion 7: Consistency with the National Smart Specialisation Strategy 2021–2027 (RIS3)
Examines whether the investment project proposal includes specific actions and expenditures aimed at adopting innovation and smart economic transformation at enterprise level, contributing to one of the priorities and strategic objectives of the National Smart Specialisation Strategy 2021–2027.
Weighting Factor: 5%
Submission and Evaluation of Funding Applications
Funding applications shall be submitted exclusively online, without the submission of any physical supporting documents, through the Integrated State Aid Management Information System (OPSKE).
The start date for the electronic submission of funding applications in OPSKE is set for Thursday, 17.07.2025 at 13:00, with a deadline on Thursday, 11.11.2025 at 15:00.
Applications not submitted electronically are ineligible for funding.
After the expiration of the electronic submission date and time, no application will be accepted under any circumstances.
For more information on the “SME Outward Orientation” initiative and assistance in planning your investment projects, please contact us at +30 2310 552000, +30 210 9580000, or via email at [email protected].