AI funding for Greek SMEs in 2026: grants, vouchers and EU programmes

“Is there a grant for this?” is one of the first questions Greek business owners ask us about AI. The honest answer in October 2026 is: not the one most people have in mind, yet. The big digital-transformation subsidies of the last few years have closed. A new scheme aimed specifically at AI in small and medium-sized businesses has been announced but has not opened. In the meantime, there is more free and subsidised support available than most companies realise.

This guide sets out what is open, what is coming and what has closed, using official sources only. It covers Greek programmes (ESPA, the Recovery Fund, the Development Law, the Hellenic Development Bank) and EU programmes (Digital Innovation Hubs, AI Factories, the EIC and others). Everything below is as of October 2026, so check the official calls before you apply. Dates and terms change often.

The short version

• Announced, not yet open: a Development Law scheme for AI and modern technologies, for SMEs only. The Ministry of Development announced a €150 million scheme in February 2026. Its 12 October 2026 release says it is planned for the end of 2026.

• Open now, and free or discounted: European Digital Innovation Hub services, the Greek AI Factory “Pharos”, and Enterprise Europe Network advice.

• Open now, as finance: Hellenic Development Bank TEPIX III loans with a 40% interest-free portion, plus two regional ESPA calls that close on 30 October 2026.

• Closed: the ESPA “Digital Transformation of SMEs” grants and the Recovery Fund “Digital Tools for SMEs” vouchers.

The new AI scheme for SMEs: what we actually know

On 8 February 2026 the Ministry of Development said it was preparing, “for 2026”, a new €150 million Development Law scheme for artificial intelligence and modern technologies, open only to SMEs. The stated aim is to help companies train their staff, hire a consultant and apply modern methods and technologies.

Press reports in May pointed to a September launch, which did not happen. Ministry releases on 5 September and 12 October 2026 now say three new Development Law schemes for SMEs, including one on “modern technologies with particular emphasis on AI”, will be activated by the end of 2026.

What is not known yet:

• the funding rate;

• the minimum company size;

• exactly which costs are eligible;

• the application dates.

The two most recent releases do not repeat the €150 million figure. Treat any article quoting precise terms as speculation until the official call is published.

Greek programmes: open, closed and worth watching

ESPA “Digital Transformation of SMEs”: closed

The ESPA programme “Competitiveness” 2021–2027 funded three actions: Basic, Advanced and Cutting-edge digital transformation. The Basic action (budget €90M) covered 50–60% of plans worth €18,000–€30,000 for firms with at least three employees. The Advanced action (budget €150M) covered 10–50% of plans worth €50,000–€650,000 and explicitly listed “data analysis with AI tools”.

Applications ran from February 2023 to March 2024 and are closed. The amendments published in 2026 only extend approved projects.

Recovery Fund “Digital Tools for SMEs”: finished

The Greece 2.0 voucher programme “Ψηφιακά Εργαλεία ΜΜΕ Β'” helped SMEs buy or lease digital tools from registered suppliers. Its last amendment set 30 September 2026 as the programme end date. The Recovery Fund itself ends in 2026, so don’t expect new voucher rounds from it.

Regional ESPA calls: two open until 30 October 2026

Regional programmes still publish investment calls that include software and digital services. Two were open at the time of writing:

• “Επιχειρώ Στερεά” in Central Greece. Budget €25M, projects of €30,000–€800,000, aid up to 70%. Deadline 30 October 2026, 15:00.

• A South Aegean call for businesses in the region’s priority sectors. Budget €5M, projects of €30,000–€400,000, aid 60%. Deadline 30 October 2026.

Both require at least two closed financial years and an activity in the region’s smart-specialisation sectors. If you miss them, watch your region’s programme on espa.gr.

Hellenic Development Bank: loans rather than grants

The TEPIX III Loan Fund offers:

• investment loans of €20,000 to €8 million;

• 40% of each loan interest-free;

• an interest subsidy of up to 3% for the first two years.

A guarantee fund covers up to 80%. A fourth application round opened in April 2026, and new resources were added in July. Ask your bank whether software and implementation services count as “investment purpose” for your case. HDB’s separate digitalisation loans are currently suspended.

Development Law and Elevate Greece

The Development Law calls currently open target manufacturing, agrifood, large investments and special-aid areas. They are rarely the right tool for a 10–50 person service company’s first AI project.

Elevate Greece is a registry for innovative startups, not a grant.

EU programmes you can use today

European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs)

Greece has seven EDIHs, co-funded by the Digital Europe Programme and ESPA. Smart Attica, led by NCSR Demokritos, focuses on AI. Hubs offer:

• a digital maturity assessment;

• a tailored digital plan;

• “test before invest” demos and pilots;

• training, and help finding investment.

Services are free or discounted. Under the EDIH rules, the discount counts as state aid, usually de minimis.

Pharos AI Factory and EuroHPC compute

Pharos, run by GRNET and partners, offers SMEs AI tools, datasets, models, training and advice on proofs of concept. Its website lists an active “AI & SMEs Productivity Programme”.

If you need serious computing power to fine-tune a model, EuroHPC’s Playground access is open all year. Access is granted within days.

For companies building AI products

The EIC Accelerator funds disruptive innovations, not adoption of existing tools. It offers grants below €2.5M plus optional equity. Its next full-proposal cut-off is 4 November 2026.

Eurostars Call 12 funds international R&D projects led by SMEs. It opens on 17 December 2026 and closes on 4 March 2027.

EU projects also run small “cascade funding” calls, often up to €60,000 per SME. These are listed on the Funding & Tenders portal. They tend to be sector-specific and short-lived.

Headline initiatives that won’t fund you directly

InvestAI aims to mobilise €200 billion, mainly for AI infrastructure. GenAI4EU funds research consortia and large pilots. Both matter for the wider ecosystem, but neither is a grant a small firm can apply to for its own AI project.

Under the AI Act, SMEs get priority access to regulatory sandboxes and tailored guidance. Greece’s implementing law (5321/2026) places a sandbox at EETT, but it is not yet confirmed to be operating.

What to do while you wait for the AI scheme

For a step-by-step approach, see how to use EU and Greek funding to pay for your first AI project. In short:

• Get your baseline. Do a digital maturity assessment through an EDIH. ESPA calls have used the same kind of assessment, so the work is rarely wasted.

• Pick one use case. Choose one, cost it and get quotes. Our guide on choosing your first AI use case helps. Then plan a short pilot; see how to run an AI pilot in 90 days.

• Check your de minimis history. Most SME schemes cap aid at €300,000 over three years.

• Don’t sign or invoice too early. Calls set an eligibility start date, and costs incurred before it are not funded.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an AI grant for Greek SMEs right now?

Not a dedicated one. The Development Law AI scheme for SMEs is announced for the end of 2026, but no call has been published. Today’s options are free EDIH and Pharos support, regional ESPA calls and TEPIX III loans.

Can grants pay for AI consulting and training?

Sometimes, within limits. Typical ESPA calls cap consulting for application preparation and project monitoring. In some calls, software set-up and user training count only when they appear on the software supplier’s invoice. The new AI scheme names consultants and training among its aims, but its rules are not yet published.

Can I combine an EDIH service with a voucher or grant?

Not for the same cost. EDIH rules say vouchers may not top up EDIH services, and no cost can be funded twice.

Are ChatGPT or Copilot subscriptions eligible?

Some calls accept new SaaS subscriptions up to a share of the budget (20% in the South Aegean call). Renewals are not eligible. Also check your data-protection set-up; see our GDPR guide to ChatGPT and Copilot at work.

Funding should follow a good plan, not the other way round. Our AI roadmap workshop helps you choose and cost a first project so you are ready when the right call opens. Learn how we support companies end to end through our AI consulting for SMEs.