Starting October 30, 2026, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have the opportunity to apply for financial assistance in the field of intellectual property via the E-Services Portal of the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria. This financial support is provided under Project No. BG16RFPR001-1.007-0001-C01, titled "Financial support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and the technological upgrading of the services and operations of the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria, aimed at fostering sustainable growth by increasing applicant activity and improving the efficiency, accessibility, and awareness of the industrial property protection system." The project is funded by the "Competitiveness and Innovation in Enterprises" Programme 2021–2027, supported by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.
Financial assistance is available to SMEs for two types of activities: Activity 1, which covers expert (consultancy) assistance for the preparation of documentation required to file applications for patents for inventions, or for the registration of utility models, industrial designs, or trademarks; and Activity 2, which covers the reimbursement of maintenance fees for industrial property rights, as well as state fees for filing utility model applications with the Patent Office. Applicants must submit an electronic application, accompanied by the necessary supporting and reporting documentation. Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises are eligible for the support—either on their own or, in the case of joint applications, in partnership with a state or municipal school, a state higher education institution, or a Bulgarian academic research organization.
The application terms and conditions, as well as the user guide, are available on the Patent Office’s Electronic Services Portal.
Source: Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria
