Epichiro Sterea 2026: Subsidy up to 75% for SMEs — How to secure funding through OPSKE
⚡ Last updated 30/06/2026 · Includes 1st Amendment · Submissions via OPSKEThe Epichiro Sterea 2026 provides subsidies of up to 75% to existing SMEs in Central Greece, with investment plans from €30,000 to €800,000. The application is made through OPSKE and whoever has the correct KAD, connection to RIS3, own participation and a strong evaluation application wins.
The program does not require a simple application form. It requires strategic planning: the right state aid scheme, the right KAD, the right connection to the RIS3 sectors, eligible costs and a dossier that can withstand a competitive evaluation.
What is Epichiro Sterea 2026
The Epichiro Sterea 2026 is an action of the NSRF 2021–2027 to support existing micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the Region of Central Greece.
The action finances investment projects that improve competitiveness, productive modernization, green transition, digital upgrading and the connection of the enterprise with sectors of smart specialization.
The official entity of the action is the program «I am a Solid Entrepreneur» in the NSRF, with electronic submission to the OPSKE.
How the subsidy reaches 75%
The up to 75% is the strong point of the action. The right choice of aid scheme and the right composition of expenditure determine how high the subsidy rate can reach.
In de minimis, the maximum percentage of 75% is utilized when the investment plan is structured as a green project, with substantial green costs associated with energy upgrading, savings or environmental improvement.
The highest percentage is utilized when the investment plan has a proper structure, a clear aid logic and costs that are actually related to the upgrading of the business.
For a detailed comparison, see the page GAK vs de minimis in Epicheiro Sterea.
What is funded in Epicheiro Sterea 2026
In Epicheiro Sterea 2026, expenses related to the upgrading, modernization, green transition, digital improvement and development of the business can be financed.
The right choice of expenses is crucial. It is not enough to have eligible categories. The costs must be linked to the KAD, the aid scheme, the subsidy rate and the well-developed Business Plan of the investment.
Full salary costs of newly hired staff, where provided for by the scheme and the terms of the action.
Other equipment, laboratory or quality control equipment, digital office equipment, production and mechanical equipment.
Equipment for environmental protection, energy saving, circular economy, photovoltaics and storage systems for self-production.
Electric means of transport, when linked to the operation and needs of the investment project.
Building interventions, installations, surroundings and interventions for energy, water or waste treatment savings.
Consulting support for monitoring implementation, technical studies, product or process development studies and know-how services.
Software, licenses, SaaS, cloud computing and related digital services that support the investment.
Packaging, label design services, branding, participation in trade fairs and promotion, promotion and networking expenses.
A strong investment plan is not a shopping list. It is a studied combination of expenses that shows why the company needs the investment, how it will improve its operation and how it will lead to sustainable growth and profitability.
Who is eligible and how to prepare a competitive proposal
Existing SMEs that have activity in Central Greece, have been established before 30/06/2023, have at least two closed fiscal years, an eligible KAD and an investment plan linked to the RIS3 sectors are eligible.
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Right company. The establishment, size, financial years and the project location.
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Correct RIS3. The investment RIS3 must be linked to the actual object and the call.
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Correct RIS3. The plan must be based on an eligible smart specialization area.
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Correct regime. De minimis or GAK is not a standard option; it affects amounts, rates and dossier.
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Correct documentation. private contribution, expenses, permits and company details must be linked with each other.
The 8 RIS3 sectors that give direction to investment
Connecting to RIS3 is a key point of strategy. The investment plan must clearly explain which sector it belongs to and why its expenditures serve that sector.
For production, construction, industrial upgrading and technical solutions.
For accommodation, tourist services, destination experiences and cultural activities.
For food, local products, production, standardization and processing.
For savings, circular use of resources and environmental upgrading.
For health, care, life sciences and related services activities.
For logistics, transportation, storage and organized distribution.
For energy upgrading, savings and sustainable energy solutions.
For software, cloud, automation, digital equipment and technological upgrading.
For a detailed breakdown, see the page Epicheiro Sterea and RIS3 sectors.
Epicheiro Sterea KAD: the second big victory point
KAD is one of the first points that must be checked. It is not enough that there is activity in Sterea Greece; the investment KAD, the physical object and the expenses must agree with each other.
For ’ this cluster needs a separate page Epicheiro Sterea KAD, so that the interested party can quickly check if they can proceed.
Why accommodations need special handling
Accommodations, guesthouses and tourist businesses have a very strong interest in Epicheiro Sterea, but they should not be treated with general copy. They want a separate check of KAD 55, capacity, category and investment objective.
Especially when the project concerns upgrading or increasing the capacity of an accommodation, the check must see if category conditions such as 4 stars, 4 keys or minimum capacity are required, depending on the type of investment and KAD.
In an accommodation investment, we don't just look at whether there is an eligible KAD. We look at whether the project leads to an upgrade, whether it meets the category requirements, whether it ties in with tourism/RIS3 and whether the costs can support a high rate of aid.
The special cluster page should be: Epicheiro Sterea for accommodation: 4 stars, 4 keys and eligibility strategy.
Competitive evaluation: it is not enough to be eligible
Applications are assessed through a competitive evaluation process. This means that the application must not only pass the formal review, but must be strong enough to stand on the ranking list.
Study Business Plan: the basis for the dossier to stand and win
In Epichiro Sterea 2026, the Business Plan is not a typical accompanying document. It is the core of the dossier. It must show why the investment makes financial sense, how it can increase turnover, how it supports profitability and why it is worth financing.
MegaProfit is not limited to simply filling out an application. It studies and drafts the Business Plan of the investment, so that the KAD, the costs, the aid regime, the own participation and the objectives of the company are tied into a clear and competitive application.
The application does not win simply because it has an eligible KAD. It wins when it presents a studied e investment plan, with clear documentation, financial coherence and a prospect of sustainable profitability.
What changes did the 1st Amendment bring?
The action has a published 1st Amendment. For this reason, each pre-screening and each application must be based on the latest files of the call, not on old abstracts or general articles.
Before finalization in the OPSKE, the call, the amendment, the frequently asked questions and any accompanying files of the competent body must be checked.
MegaProfit pre-screening: from "am I entitled" to "how do I earn it"
The correct pre-screening does not stop at eligibility. It checks whether the application can be competitively set up: with the right status, the right costs, clear documentation and an application that meets the criteria of the action.
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Company check financial years, size, area, operating history and eligibility requirements.
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KAD and RIS3 check Linking KAD, object, RIS3 sector and investment costs.
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Percentage check De minimis or GAK analysis and possibility of utilizing a higher subsidy.
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Application setup Organization of documentation, expenses, private contribution and business logic.
Frequently Asked Questions about Epicheiro Sterea 2026
What is Epicheiro Sterea 2026?
It is an NSRF 2021–2027 action for existing very small, small and medium-sized enterprises in the Region of Central Greece.
How much is the subsidy in Epicheiro Sterea?
The subsidy reaches up to 75%. In de minimis the percentages are 70%–75%, while in GAK they range from 40%–60%.
When are applications made?
Applications are submitted electronically via OPSKE from 18/05/2026 at 13:00 to 18/09/2026 at 15:00.
What is the investment budget?
For de minimis the subsidized budget is €30,000–€400,000, while for GAK it is 200,000€–800,000€.
What expenses are financed in the Solid Enterprise 2026?
Indicatively, personnel expenses, equipment, green and energy interventions, buildings and facilities, software, cloud services, studies, branding, promotion, participation in exhibitions and indirect expenses are financed, according to the terms of the selected aid scheme.
Is it enough for an expense to be in the guide to be included in the application?
No. The expenditure must be linked to the KAD, the physical object, the aid regime, the investment objective and the Business Plan. A strong portfolio is not a simple shopping list, but a studied investment plan.
Why is the Business Plan crucial in Solid Enterprise?
The Business Plan is the core of the portfolio. It shows why the investment makes financial sense, how the costs will be utilized, how the equity participation will be supported and how the business can achieve sustainability, growth and profitability.
Does MegaProfit prepare a Business Plan for Epicheiro Sterea?
Yes. MegaProfit undertakes the study and drafting of the Business Plan of the investment, linking KAD, eligible costs, de minimis or GAK, private contribution, sustainability, profitability and portfolio strategy for the application to the OPSKE.
Is the consultant fee eligible for Epichiro Sterea 2026?
Yes. The eligible costs of the action include consulting support for monitoring the implementation of the investment plan. MegaProfit supports the study, drafting and strategy of the dossier, so that the Business Plan, the expenses, the private contribution and the application to the OPSKE are financially tied and documented.
Why is a well-developed Business Plan needed and not a simple list of expenses?
Why must the dossier show how the expenses are linked to the KAD, the aid regime, the own participation, the sustainability and profitability of the investment. The studied Business Plan is the tool that explains why the investment makes financial sense and why it is worth financing.
Are two closed fiscal years needed?
Yes. The company must be existing, established before 30/06/2023 and have at least two complete closed financial years.
Why is a pre-screening needed before the application?
Why should the KAD, RIS3, aid regime, private contribution, expenses and basic application strategy be checked before submission to the OPSKE.
Author, data check and disclosure
Panagiotis Graphakos, Economist, Class A Accountant, Business & Investment Consultant. Business Registration Number: 9911097875. He has 30+ years of experience in subsidies, business plans and NSRF / LEADER / DYPA programs.
The content was checked based on data from EFEPAE, NSRF, the Region of Central Greece and OPSKE. Last updated / last reviewed: 30/06/2026.
MegaProfit is not a public body and does not substitute for OPSKE, EFEPAE or the Region of Central Greece. It provides advisory support, pre-screening and application preparation for businesses that want to claim the action.
