NSRF How to Start Your Own Business with a Subsidy of up to 100% (2025)

If you are thinking of starting your own business in 2025, you have probably already searched for grants or programs that will help you start without a loan. The good news? There are NSRF actions that offer grants from 50% up to 100% for the establishment of a new business, either as a new professional or as a startup.

Although there is no unified “NSRF 2nd Cycle 2025” program for all of Greece, several regional actions are already underway or will be announced within the year. This guide gathers all available grants for new entrepreneurs, the basic criteria, amounts, eligible activities (NACE codes), and of course, how you can assess if you qualify for funding up to 100% for your business.

What Does a Subsidy Up to 100% through NSRF Mean?

The subsidy up to 100% through NSRF means that you can cover the entire cost of establishing your business – without needing a loan or own capital. The grant percentage depends on the program, the region, the type of business, and the category of beneficiary.

Usually, most NSRF actions offer funding from 50% to 75%, while 100% is mainly achieved in programs for startups, unemployed persons or university graduates, with special income, geographic or social criteria.

There is particular demand in actions supporting tourism and catering, as many beneficiaries aim to create tourist accommodations, cafés-bars, restaurants or agritourism businesses. The respective programs provide grants for renovation of spaces, equipment purchase, and even marketing or website creation.

Subsidized amounts are not always paid upfront. In many cases, partial upfront implementation of expenses and documentation through receipts are required for the approval of fund disbursement.

What Are the Main NSRF Programs for 2025?

In 2025, several NSRF calls are expected or already “running” that concern the support of new and soon-to-be-established businesses. Below are the main programs that have either been published or are planned by the Regions and Ministries:

🔹 Support for New and Soon-to-be-Established Businesses (Regional NSRF Programs)

• Concerns newly established businesses created within specific Regions (e.g., Western Macedonia, Thessaly).

• Grant: from 50% up to 80%

• Expenses: equipment, rent, payroll, website, branding

🔹 NSRF for Tourism Businesses

• Support for creation or upgrade

Are You Eligible? Basic Participation Criteria for NSRF Programs

Not all interested parties are eligible for NSRF grants. To participate in a funding program for a new or existing business in 2025, you must meet specific eligibility criteria, which vary by action but share common foundations.

🔷 Which categories of businesses are subsidized?

1. Businesses Under Establishment

• You have not yet registered with the tax office

• The business must be established after the application submission

• Ideal for individuals planning to start their professional activity now

• Often preferred in targeted regional NSRF actions for unemployed, youth, graduates

2. Newly Established Businesses

• You have registered, but the business is within its first year of operation

• Concerns professionals who have already started and want to grow with support

• Many programs set a limit of ≤ 12 months from registration

3. Existing Businesses

• Operating for at least 2 full fiscal years

• Can participate in actions such as digital transformation, energy upgrade, green transition, extroversion, etc.

• Subsidies may concern new equipment, software, renovation, expansion, etc.

🔎 General Eligibility Criteria (all categories)

• Be a natural or legal person based in Greece

• Have no debts or legal issues

• Be active or plan activity with an eligible NACE code

• Have not received other state aid for the same activity

• Be able to prove the implementation of expenses (invoices, contracts, etc.)

📌 If you are a university graduate and want to establish a new business with a subsidy, most programs classify you as under establishment businesses with increased scoring.

🟢 Not sure which category you belong to or if you meet the criteria or are eligible for a subsidy? Request a free eligibility evaluation from the MegaProfit team and find out immediately if you can participate.

NSRF grants cover a wide range of expenses related to the establishment, operation, and development of a business. Depending on the program, you can be funded for operating expenses, equipment, building works, payroll, marketing activities, digital presence, and much more.
Eligible expenses vary depending on the Region, sector, and business category (under establishment, newly established, or existing).

📊 Table: Eligible NSRF Expenses

🧠 ❝NSRF grants cover building installations, equipment, rent, raw materials, social security contributions, website, advertising, and payroll.❞

NSRF grants for new businesses usually cover commercial space rent, equipment purchase, social security contributions, raw material supply, website creation, staff payroll, and promotion expenses.❞

📎 Note for tourism businesses:
NSRF programs concerning tourist accommodations or catering businesses also cover building interventions, such as energy upgrades, room remodeling, and accessibility. In some cases, these expenses may reach up to 80% of the budget.

🧾 Thinking of renovating your space or starting an e-shop? Don’t bear the cost before knowing what is subsidized. Request a free pre-check of eligible expenses.
The MegaProfit team can evaluate your file free of charge and show you which are 100% subsidized.

How to Submit an Application for a Subsidy through NSRF – Steps & Documents

Submitting an application for an NSRF program requires attention to the process, proper documentation, and timely submission of the file.
Below we briefly present the basic steps to correctly submit a funding application in 2025:

✅ The 6 Steps for Applying to NSRF:

1. Identify the appropriate program
   ➤ Regional or thematic NSRF, based on age, NACE code, region, business category

2. Check eligibility
   ➤ Do you meet the basic criteria? Graduate? Unemployed? Business under establishment?

3. Gather the required documents
   ➤ Tax clearance, proof of residence, diplomas (if required), declaration of responsibility, business activity plan

4. Prepare the Business Plan
   ➤ Activity description, timeline, goals, revenue-expense forecasts
   ✔ ATTENTION: This is the most important document — many rejections are due to incorrect or sloppy business plans

   📄 For detailed guidance, see the complete NSRF Business Plan preparation guide.

5. Submit the file electronically
   ➤ Via the special NSRF platform (e.g., www.ependyseis.gr), within the deadline

6. Wait for evaluation & approval
   ➤ If approved, you are officially notified, you establish (if not already established) the business, and implementation begins

📑 Indicative Documents You Will Be Asked For:

• Tax Identification Number and tax registry details

• Identity card or passport

• Degree or diploma (if required)

• Latest year’s tax clearance

• Copy of utility bill or lease agreement

• Declaration of non-participation in another program

• Budget of expenses / technical description

📌 The NSRF platforms change depending on the action. Some calls are submitted via www.ependyseis.gr, others via Regions or agencies (e.g., Development Agencies).

📄 The Business Plan is the most critical document for approval. If you don’t know where to start, MegaProfit offers you a ready template & step-by-step guidance.

📣 Not sure how to prepare your file? The MegaProfit team provides comprehensive support with:

• Business Plan preparation

• Eligibility check

• File preparation and submission
  ✉️ Request a free preliminary check today

Frequently Asked Questions about Grants for New Businesses through NSRF

❓ What is the difference between a “business under establishment” and a “newly established” business?

Answer:
A business under establishment has not yet registered with the tax office at the time of application submission. A newly established business has registered but has been operating for less than 12 months as of the call date.

❓ Are there NSRF programs with 100% subsidy?

Answer:
Yes, but only in specific actions and under conditions (e.g., unemployed, graduates, women, special areas). Most programs offer subsidies from 50% to 75%.

❓ How do I know if the NACE code I chose is eligible?

Answer:
Each NSRF call is accompanied by a list of eligible NACE codes. If you are unsure, you can request a free check from a specialist consultant or view the NACE codes in the relevant PDF file of the action.

💡 A consultant can help you choose the correct NACE code and avoid losing the subsidy due to a technical error.

❓ What if I don’t have own capital?

Answer:
Many programs do not require own capital — especially if they provide 100% subsidy. However, for expenses incurred before disbursement, temporary coverage by the entrepreneur will be needed.

❓ How long does it take for the application to be approved?

Answer:
Depending on the program, the evaluation takes 2 to 6 months. After approval, you have up to 24 months to implement the project.

❓ Are tourist accommodations or catering businesses subsidized?

Answer:
Yes. NSRF programs for tourism and catering are among the most popular. Expenses such as building works, equipment, promotion, and website creation are subsidized.

Are You Getting Ready to Start Your Business? We’ve Got You Covered.

The subsidy through NSRF can be the step you need to start without risk. At MegaProfit, we know that your time is valuable and the right guidance makes all the difference.

✅ Free preliminary check
✅ Preparation and optimization of Business Plan
✅ Application submission by an experienced team of consultants

📩 Fill out the form below and we will call you within 24 hours to get started together.

📌 The subsidy is achievable – you just need to claim it the right way.