IP vouchers are subsidies for the registration of intellectual property rights.
Are you planning to register your trademark or design in the coming months? In 2026, entrepreneurs once again have the opportunity to apply for an IP voucher (“Intellectual Property (IP) voucher”) to obtain a partial reimbursement of the costs related to such applications—whether at Benelux level (BOIP), EU level (EUIPO / EPO), or even internationally (WIPO).
Application period: from 2 February 2026 until 5 December 2026.
Please note: applications are processed on a first come, first served basis, and the available funds may be exhausted before the end of the period.
Three types of IP vouchers available as subsidies in 2026
There are three types of intellectual property subsidies available to Belgian companies:
- Voucher 2 – Trademarks & designs: filings with the BOIP (Benelux), EUIPO (EU), national IP offices (e.g. INPI), and international registrations via WIPO (Madrid / The Hague).
- Voucher 3 – Patents: national patent filings (EU) and European patents (EPO), with reimbursements for certain official fees and, subject to conditions, part of the legal costs.
- Voucher 4 – Plant varieties: Community protection of a plant variety.
The conditions for obtaining these IP vouchers are available on the EUIPO website.
Who is eligible for the IP voucher?
Only companies that qualify as SMEs according to the European Commission definition may apply.
In general, an SME is an enterprise that meets the following criteria:
- employs fewer than 250 employees;
- has an annual turnover not exceeding €50 million; and
- has a balance sheet total not exceeding €43 million.
Certain SMEs are nevertheless excluded, for example if they are insolvent or have been subject to a conviction.
What is the amount of the subsidy?
- Voucher 2 (trademarks & designs):
maximum amount of €700, with a reduction of 50% to 75% on the filing fees:- 75% for Benelux / EU / national filings (BOIP, EUIPO, national offices);
- 50% for international filings via WIPO (Madrid / The Hague).
- Voucher 3 (patents):
maximum amount of €1,000 (national patents / searches) and €2,500 (European patents + legal fees under certain conditions), including a significant partial reimbursement of certain official fees and 50% of the legal costs related to drafting and filing a European patent, up to €1,500 (subject to conditions). - Voucher 4 (plant varieties):
maximum amount of €1,500.
How to obtain the IP voucher subsidy?
SMEs can apply for the IP voucher themselves or authorize an external representative to file the application on their behalf.
Our team takes care of everything: we handle both the voucher application and the filing of your trademark / design / patent with the relevant office.
The application procedure consists of two steps:
- Create or log in to the “SME Fund” account;
- Complete the form and select the desired vouchers.
At this stage, you do not need to specify in detail which exact rights you will file: you first select the voucher(s) you are interested in.
Each SME is entitled to only one voucher per category.
Deadlines after the voucher is granted
Once the voucher has been awarded, it must be activated within a specific timeframe (by submitting the reimbursement request):
- Voucher 1: 6 months
- Vouchers 2, 3 and 4: 1 month
(a one-month extension is possible for vouchers 2, 3 and 4)
After filing with the relevant office and paying the official fees, the SME submits the reimbursement request via its account, together with the required supporting documents.
Our advice:
To learn more about the benefits of registering your trademark, feel free to consult this article.
If you are planning a filing in 2026, do not delay: funds are limited and are allocated quickly.
Would you like assistance with the voucher and/or with registering your trademark or design? The Creactivity Department of Lexing is naturally at your disposal to assist you in this area.
