SPW Chèques-Entreprises — Complete Guide 2026

The Chèques-Entreprises are a support scheme set up by the Service Public de Wallonie (SPW) to help Walloon companies access quality professional services at reduced cost. In practical terms, the beneficiary company purchases vouchers at a preferential rate and uses them to pay approved service providers.

The mechanism is straightforward: the company pays a portion of the service cost, and the Walloon Region covers the rest through the face value of the voucher. This allows SMEs and self-employed workers to engage experts in consulting, training, innovation support, or digital transformation without bearing the full cost.

The Chèques-Entreprises programme has existed in Wallonia for several years and has been regularly improved to meet business needs. In 2026, the scheme covers several service categories, each with its own usage rules and funding ceilings.

The Chèques-Entreprises are accessible to companies with their registered office or an establishment in the Walloon Region. This includes self-employed workers, liberal professions, SMEs, and in some cases larger companies depending on the category of voucher requested.

Eligibility conditions vary by type of voucher. Some vouchers, particularly those related to training or consulting, are reserved for SMEs in the European sense of the term, meaning companies with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover below €50 million.

Companies in financial difficulty or subject to collective proceedings are generally not eligible. It is also required that the company be up to date with its tax and social obligations at the time of application.

For an overview of the support available in Wallonia, it is recommended to review the full regional support catalogue, as Chèques-Entreprises are often combined with other schemes.

The Consulting category groups vouchers designed to fund services from external experts in areas such as business strategy, human resources management, quality, environment, or intellectual property. These vouchers fund up to 50% of the service cost per tranche of 30 hours.

The Technology and Innovation category covers innovation support services including technological feasibility studies, innovation audits, digital diagnostics, and technology transfer processes. These vouchers are particularly well suited to SMEs looking to begin a digital transformation process.

The Training category finances professional training delivered by approved operators. The topics covered are broad: management, technical skills, languages, IT, sustainable development, and many others.

Other categories exist for specific needs such as startup coaching, preparation for internationalisation, or creativity support. The offering is regularly updated by the SPW in line with regional economic policy priorities.

The value of a voucher varies by category. As a general rule, a company pays between 30% and 50% of the face value of the voucher, with the Walloon Region subsidising the rest. For most consulting or training vouchers, the face value is €75 per hour of service.

Annual ceilings limit the number of vouchers a company can purchase per category per calendar year. These ceilings are set to prevent the scheme from disproportionately benefiting a few large organisations. In practice, an SME can mobilise several thousand euros of support per year by combining different voucher categories.

It is important to note that vouchers have a limited validity period, generally 12 to 18 months from the date of purchase. Unused vouchers within this period are forfeited, with no possibility of reimbursement. Good planning of voucher use is therefore essential.

Only providers approved by the SPW can accept Chèques-Entreprises. An official and regularly updated list is available on the SPW portal. This list specifies for each provider the categories of vouchers they can accept, their area of expertise, and their contact details.

Before choosing a provider, it is recommended to verify that they are approved for the category of vouchers you wish to use. A provider not approved for a given category cannot accept the corresponding vouchers, even if they offer the services in question.

The quality of approved providers varies. To maximise return on investment, take the time to compare several providers, ask for references, and ensure the provider thoroughly understands the specific challenges of your sector.

Competence centres, professional federations, and approved training operators are often excellent starting points for finding quality providers. Some sectors also have networks of specialised experts recognised by the SPW.

The first step is to create an account on the SPW's dedicated online portal for Chèques-Entreprises. This portal centralises all steps: voucher requests, provider selection, service validation, and balance tracking.

After creating the account, you select the desired voucher category and submit a request specifying the type of service expected. Some categories require prior validation of your project by an SPW adviser before purchasing vouchers.

Once the request is approved, you proceed to purchase the vouchers online by paying your share. The vouchers are then available in your personal space and can be handed directly to the approved provider of your choice.

After the service is delivered, the provider enters the information into the SPW system and you validate the service. Once validated, the SPW pays the balance directly to the provider. Always keep a copy of service-related documents for possible audits.

For any questions about Chèques-Entreprises or to identify other Walloon support tailored to your situation, the BelGrant AI assistant can quickly point you toward the most relevant schemes.

Prepare a precise description of your need before submitting the request. Vague or overly generic requests are more likely to be delayed or rejected. Describe concretely the problem you want to solve or the goal you want to achieve through the service.

Verify that your chosen provider is approved for the relevant category before formalising anything. A mistake at this stage can cause additional delays and in some cases result in forfeited vouchers.

Strictly respect usage deadlines. Plan the service delivery sufficiently early after purchasing vouchers to avoid being at the end of the validity period. Most operational problems with Chèques-Entreprises arise from a lack of planning.

If possible, combine Chèques-Entreprises with other SPW support available in Wallonia. Several regional schemes can be used in complementary ways to maximise total support for your business.

One frequent pitfall is purchasing vouchers before having a provider confirmed. If no approved provider is available for the specific service you need within the validity period, the vouchers are lost. Always identify and confirm your provider before purchasing.

Another common issue is submitting an application with an incomplete business description. The SPW requires a minimum level of project detail to process the request. If information is missing, the application is returned, wasting time and potentially causing you to miss service windows.

Finally, do not overlook the reporting obligations that come with some voucher categories. Certain types require you to submit a satisfaction report or outcome assessment after the service. Failing to do so can affect your ability to purchase vouchers in subsequent periods.