Support for SME Internationalisation: call closed (2025)

Note, 30 October 2026. The call Support for SME Internationalisation (PK.1.3.10) accepted applications from 1 July 2025 at 11:00. The Ministry of Economy suspended intake on 29 August 2025 at 13:00, and the call was closed on 7 January 2026 at 13:00 because the allocation was used up. Current calls are tracked in our guides EU grants for businesses 2026 and Business incentives and upcoming calls 2026.

Purpose of the call: to increase the capacity of SMEs to participate in global markets and to help increase the share of SMEs in total exports of goods and services by improving the conditions for their operation in an international environment.

Applications open: 1 July 2025 at 11:00 (on a “fastest finger first” basis)

Total allocation: EUR 25,000,000

Minimum aid amount: EUR 6,000

Maximum aid amount: EUR 120,000

Aid intensity:

micro and small enterprises: up to 75% of eligible costs
medium-sized enterprises: up to 60% of eligible costs

Who can apply?

Applicants must meet the following conditions:

Be a micro, small or medium-sized enterprise registered in Croatia
Have at least one employee based on hours worked in the previous year
Have been registered for at least 12 months before submitting the project proposal
Have a positive EBITDA in the previous year
Operating revenue in the previous year must amount to at least 50% of the total value of the proposed project
Not be an undertaking in difficulty under Regulation 651/2014.

An applicant may submit several project proposals under this call, but not at the same time. Each project proposal may cover participation in 4 international trade fairs, and the project may last up to 24 months.

Which trade fairs are eligible?

Participation as an exhibitor in a trade fair that is related to the Thematic Priority Areas (TPP) as defined by the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) and is listed in the www.auma.de database.

Eligible activities include participation in an international trade fair, rental of exhibition space, setting up, decorating, equipping and preparing the stand with the necessary connections, equipment rental (ICT equipment, catering equipment, projector, etc.), entry in the exhibitor catalogue, production of promotional material for the fair, hiring interpreters for the duration of the fair, transport of employees and equipment/exhibits, payment of employee daily allowances, accommodation for employees, project promotion and visibility activities, and activities related to the horizontal principles.

What is financed?

Eligible direct costs cover everything related to exhibiting at the fair: registration fees (eligible from 5 December 2024), rental of exhibition space (unfurnished or with a standard stand), decoration and equipping of the stand with the related connections (electricity, internet, water), equipment rental (ICT, presentation, catering), entry in the exhibitor catalogue, production of promotional materials, hiring interpreters, and the costs of transporting exhibits and equipment.

Employee daily allowances and accommodation are also eligible, at most for the number of days of the fair plus two days before and two days after the event (e.g. for a 6-day fair, up to 10 daily allowances and 10 overnight stays per person in accommodation of up to 4 stars).

Indirect costs are recognised as a flat rate of up to 7% of direct costs. They include project promotion and visibility costs, activities in line with the horizontal principles (e.g. accessibility, equality), preparation of the project proposal and employee travel costs.

IMPORTANT: Although the call was planned as permanently open (until December 2026), projects were assessed on a “fastest finger first” basis, which means it is essential to submit the project as soon as possible after the call opens (1 July 2025). Timely preparation (and submission of the project) is therefore key to success in the call!

Manufacturing companies can apply to the open call Process Innovation in S3 Areas (PK.1.3.11), which accepts applications until funds run out and no later than 31 December 2026. Investments in equipment can also be financed with HBOR loans for entrepreneurs 2026 combined with investment tax incentives.

For more information and help with preparing your project proposal, contact us at info@omniasolutions.hr.

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