Using the SME voucher for other IP rights

Due to popular demand, it will no longer be possible to apply for Voucher 3. New vouchers are expected to become available in early February 2025.

On this page you will find information about how to apply for and activate the SME voucher for:

Are you looking for information on the SME voucher for a Benelux trademark or design? If so, take a look at this page

Do you have general questions about using the SME voucher? If so, check our FAQs

Using the SME voucher to register a trademark nationally within the EU, or for European or international trademark registration (voucher 2)

You can also use the SME voucher to recuperate part of the application fee for registering a trademark nationally within the EU, or for European and/or international trademark registrations.

The SME voucher for registering a trademark nationally within the EU and for registering European or international trademarks is the same as the voucher for reimbursement of a Benelux trademark (voucher 2). You apply for the voucher and activate it therefore in the same way. To do so, follow steps 1 to 4. The only difference is that at step 3 you apply of course to register a national trademark with one of the EU Member States, a European Union trademark (EU) with EUIPO, or an international trademark via WIPO.

The reimbursements for 2024 are:

75% of the costs of a European trademark application via EUIPO.
75% of the costs of a trademark application in an individual country that is part of the European Union.
Up to 50% of the costs of registering your trademark via WIPO.

The reimbursement applies to:

Basic application fee
Some additional costs, such as notification fees and fees for territorial extension.

Please note: In 2024 you can only apply for 1 voucher for reimbursement of trademark and/or design registrations (voucher 2). However, with that one voucher you can request reimbursement of the costs of several applications, up to a maximum of 1,000 euros.

Using the SME voucher to register a design nationally within the EU, or for European or international design registration (voucher 2)

You can also use the SME voucher to recuperate part of the application fee for registering a design nationally with an EU Member State, or for European design registrations (known as registered Community designs) and/or international design registrations.

The SME voucher for registering designs nationally with an EU Member State, for European registered Community designs or for international design registrations is the same as the voucher for reimbursement of a Benelux design (voucher 2). You apply for the voucher and activate it then in the same way. To do so, follow steps 1 to 4. The only difference is that at step 3 you apply of course to register a national design with an EU Member State, a registered Community design (EU) with EUIPO, or an international design via WIPO.

The reimbursements for 2024 are:

75% of the costs of a registered Community design via EUIPO.
75% of the costs of a design application in an individual country that is part of the European Union.
Up to 50% of the costs of registering your design via WIPO.

The reimbursement applies to:

Basic application fee
Some additional costs, such as notification fees.

Please note: In 2024 you can only apply for 1 voucher for reimbursement of trademark and/or design registrations (voucher 2). However, with that one voucher you can request a refund for several applications, up to a maximum of 1,000 euros.

Using the SME voucher for patents (voucher 3)

With the SME voucher you can also obtain partial reimbursement of costs related to a patent application. This falls under voucher 3.

In 2024 75% of the costs for a national or a European patent registration can be reimbursed, up to a maximum of 1,500 euros. The reimbursement applies to:

costs for the search for prior art by a national patent office of an EU Member State;
costs for registering a national patent in the EU (filing, searching, examining, granting, publishing);
filing and search costs for a patent with the European Patent Office.

In addition, you can have 50% of the legal (advice) costs refunded, up to a maximum of 2,000 euros. This reimbursement applies specifically to the preparation and filing of a patent application with the European Patent Office.

For reimbursement related to patents, request voucher 3. The application process works in principle in the same way as for the voucher for trademarks and designs (voucher 2). To apply, follow steps 1 and 2

Please note: If you have questions about activating voucher 3, please contact the Information Centre at the EUIPO or one of the following organisations:

For patents in Belgium: please contact the Belgian Federal Economic Service.
For patents in the Netherlands: please contact the Netherlands Patent Office.
For patents in Luxemburg: please contact the Office for intellectual property Luxembourg
For European patents: please contact the European Patent Office.

Using the SME voucher for plant breeders' rights (voucher 4)

With the SME voucher you can also obtain partial reimbursement of costs related to plant breeders' rights. This falls under voucher 4.

In 2024 the reimbursement is 75% of the online filing and investigating costs for plant breeders' rights with the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO), up to a maximum of 1,500 euros.

For reimbursement related to plant breeders’ rights, request voucher 4. The application process works in principle in the same way as for the voucher for trademarks and designs (voucher 2). To apply, follow steps 1 and 2.

Please note: If you have questions about activating voucher 4, please contact the Information Centre at the EUIPO or the Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO), which is the European authority responsible for the registration of plant breeders' rights.

Using the SME voucher for an IP scan (voucher 1)

With the SME voucher you can also obtain partial reimbursement of costs related to an IP scan and IP scan enforcement services. This falls under voucher 1. The IP scan and IP scan enforcement services are only available in some participating countries (not in the Benelux unfortunately).

In 2024 90% of the costs for the IP scan and IP scan enforcement services can be reimbursed, up to a maximum of 1,350 euros. The maximum amount granted is different depending on the participating country.

For reimbursement related to plant breeders’ rights, request voucher 1. The application process works in principle in the same way as for the voucher for trademarks and designs (voucher 2). To apply, follow steps 1 and 2.

Please note: the process to activate the voucher (steps 3 and 4) is slightly different. If you have any questions, please contact the Information Centre at he EUIPO.