What support and grants are available for SMEs in Belgium?
Belgian SMEs (fewer than 250 employees, under €50M turnover) can access dozens of grants and support measures. From training and innovation to hiring and digitalisation: discover the six main categories and the five most accessible grants.
Discover my grants →Categories of SME support
Belgian government support for SMEs falls into six main categories. Each project type opens different programmes.
Training
Subsidies for employee and management upskilling. Think KMO-portefeuille (Flanders) or Chèques-Entreprises (Wallonia).
Innovation
Support for R&D projects, prototypes, proof of concept. VLAIO R&D, Innoviris and Horizon Europe are the most well-known.
Export
Funding for internationalisation: market research, trade missions, prospection. FIT (Flanders), hub.brussels and AWEX (Wallonia).
Hiring
Premiums and wage cost reductions for hiring specific target groups: youth, long-term unemployed, 55+, interns.
Investment
Support for tangible investments: machinery, real estate, production infrastructure. Often via regional investment premiums or subordinated loans.
Digitalisation
Grants for digital transformation: ERP, e-commerce, cybersecurity, AI implementation.
Top 5 most accessible SME grants
These five grants are the most requested by Belgian SMEs thanks to their broad eligibility criteria and simple application process.
KMO-portefeuille
FlandersUp to €7,500/yearSubsidy for training and consulting from approved providers. Up to 30–40% support for small and medium enterprises.
SPW Chèques-Entreprises
WalloniaUp to €22,500/3 yearsVouchers for consulting, training, digitalisation and co-working.
R&D tax credit
Federal80% exemptionPartial exemption from withholding tax for researchers.
Win-Win loan
FlandersUp to €300,000Flemish SMEs borrow up to €300,000 from private lenders with a 2.5% annual tax credit for the lender.
PMV Startlening
FlandersUp to €100,000Subordinated loan for starters and young enterprises. Low interest, often no collateral required.
SME vs large companies: what’s different?
The EU SME definition determines which programmes are accessible. Large companies have fewer options.
| Aspect | SME (< 250 employees) | Large company |
|---|---|---|
| Grant programmes | Access to all regional and EU SME programmes | Only federal and some EU programmes |
| Support rate | Higher subsidy rates (30–60%) | Lower rates (15–30%) |
| Application process | Often simplified (online portals) | More complex dossiers and reporting |
| Micro-enterprise bonus | Extra benefit for < 10 employees | Not applicable |
Frequently asked questions
What is the EU definition of an SME?
An SME has fewer than 250 employees, annual turnover of at most €50 million or a balance sheet total of at most €43 million. The company must also not be more than 25% owned by a large enterprise (autonomy criterion).
My company just exceeded the SME threshold. Do I lose all grants?
Not immediately. SME status is assessed over two consecutive financial years. You only lose SME status if you exceed the thresholds for two years in a row. Some federal and European programmes also remain open to large companies.
Can I apply for grants as a sole proprietor or freelancer?
Yes, most SME grant programmes are also open to sole proprietors and freelancers registered with the CBE. Some programmes require at least one employee.
Which grant is the quickest and simplest to apply for?
The KMO-portefeuille (Flanders) and Chèques-Entreprises (Wallonia) are most often cited as the simplest grants with an online application, fast approval, and broad eligibility criteria.
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