From August 2025, two major calls for proposals are opening, supporting the development of Hungarian businesses with a combined budget of HUF 170 billion. The focus is on increasing the competitiveness of micro and small enterprises and on supporting technological and green investments by food industry and processing plants.

Under GINOP Plusz-1.2.4-25, small businesses operating in the four most disadvantaged regions can receive up to HUF 120 million in non-repayable support for new machinery, technological developments or energy efficiency upgrades.

In parallel, the ÉLIP (KAP-RD04a-RD04b-3-25) call is also launching, supporting the modernisation and green development of food processors – with up to HUF 100 million in support and an aid intensity of 65–70%.

Both calls also allow the purchase of logistics and materials handling equipment – such as forklifts, so companies can significantly improve not only their technology but also their day-to-day operations.

GINOP Plusz-1.2.4-25 – Support for Micro and Small Enterprises

Valid: from 1 August 2025\ Aim: To support the development of micro and small enterprises operating in the 4 most disadvantaged regions (Dél-Alföld, Dél-Dunántúl, Észak-Alföld, Észak-Magyarország) and in Free Enterprise Zones.

1. Budget and timing

  • Total budget: HUF 150 billion
  • Non-repayable support available: minimum HUF 5 million, maximum HUF 120 million
  • Advance payment: up to 50% of the support awarded, maximum HUF 60 million
  • Submission period: from 17:00 on 5 August 2025 to 16:00 on 30 April 2026 - May be suspended if the amount requested reaches 130% of the budget.

2. Who can apply?

Main conditions:

  • At least 1 closed (365-day) business year.
  • An average annual statistical headcount of at least 1 person in the previous business year.
  • Registered office, business premises or branch in Hungary.
  • Not taxed under KATA.

Legal forms:

  • Business associations (kft., rt., bt., kkt.), social and other cooperatives.
  • Sole traders, sole proprietorships, law firms.
  • Hungarian branches of foreign businesses.

Consortia are not permitted.

3. Who cannot apply? (main exclusion criteria)

  • The development is not carried out in the targeted regions or in a Free Enterprise Zone (SZVZ) settlement.
  • Negative equity, or equity below the subscribed capital, in the most recent annual accounts.
  • The project cost exceeds annual turnover.
  • Businesses subject to enforcement proceedings by the tax authority (NAV).
  • Certain activities: agricultural production (share above 40%), tobacco industry, accommodation and spa development.
  • Residential property development (more than 50% residential use).
  • The same target area has already been supported under another GINOP/DIMOP call.
  • Irregularities in the past 5 years.
  • Diversification into entirely new types of products/services (e.g. an entirely new business process).

4. Eligible activities

Mandatory element:

  • Purchase of new equipment and machinery, building technological systems (at least 30% of the total project cost).
  • Minimum value: net HUF 500,000 per machine, HUF 200,000 per unit for hardware.

IT developments:

  • Software, business cloud services.

Project management and ancillary costs:

  • Consultancy, overheads, inventory, communication.
  • These can be claimed as a flat rate of exactly 7%.

Optional (not eligible on their own):

  • Infrastructure and property investment (construction, extension, modernisation).
  • Strict unit cost ceilings (e.g. construction: max. HUF 526,444/m²; modernisation: insulation, window and door replacement, roof renovation, etc. at set unit prices).
  • Energy improvement condition: the building's energy rating must improve by at least one class.
  • IT investment up to max. 50% of the project cost.

5. Project implementation

  • Projects started before the application is submitted are not eligible.
  • The project may be started at the applicant's own risk on the day after submission.
  • A maximum of 18 months is available for physical completion from the date the grant decision becomes final.

Mandatory commitment:

  • Use of an organisational development service at least once.

Maintenance obligation:

  • The project results (products, services) must be maintained for at least 3 years.

Public procurement:

  • Compliance with the Public Procurement Act (Kbt.) is mandatory.

6. Territorial restrictions

  • Can only be carried out in the designated regions and SZVZ settlements.
  • The development site must have been a registered business premises for at least 180 days before submission.

7. Documents to be submitted (examples)

  • Evidence of market research: price calculations, manufacturer/distributor documents, website screenshots.
  • Photo documentation: exterior and interior photos of the site, infrastructure, a room suitable for housing the equipment, and for ICT equipment, evidence of internet and server connection.
  • Annual accounts or simplified annual accounts.
  • Bank statement for requesting the advance payment.
  • Declaration of no conflict of interest.
  • Energy performance certificate (for property modernisation).
  • Proof of operation: local business tax certificate, utility bill, official permit, lease agreement.

Or take a look at the other opportunity

KAP-RD04a-RD04b-3-25 – Support for the Development of Food Industry and Processing Plants

Valid: from 18 August 2025\ Aim: To support technological developments and green investments that add value to agricultural products and help them reach the market.

1. Budget and breakdown

  • Total budget: HUF 20 billion - Target area 1: Technological development for adding value and market access – HUF 18 billion - Target area 2: Green investments (energy efficiency, renewable energy) – HUF 2 billion

2. Who can apply?

  • Businesses of any size, if they carry out a development that adds value to agricultural products or helps them reach the market, or a related green investment.
  • Registered office in Hungary, or a registered office in the EEA with a Hungarian branch.
  • At least one full closed business year.
  • Collective investment is also possible: producer groups, integrator organisations, agricultural cooperatives, social cooperatives.

3. Exclusion criteria

  • Does not match the aim of the call.
  • Already supported at the same site under the VP3-4.2.1-4.2.2.-1-21 or -2-21 call, and that project has not yet been closed.
  • An outstanding repayment obligation based on an EU decision.
  • Undertakings in difficulty.

4. Submission

  • Start: from 16 October 2025
  • Evaluation rounds: with several cut-off dates (the documentation lists 29 October and 12 November)
  • Electronically, with Ügyfélkapu (government gateway) identification.
  • One application per evaluation round, but it may cover several target areas; several applications may be submitted for separate sites.

5. Eligible activities

Target area 1 – Adding value, market access:

  • Development of food processing plants: - New machinery, technological systems (production, quality assurance, laboratory, materials handling, packaging). - Category N goods vehicles (lorries, vans) – max. net HUF 30 million per vehicle. - Construction, extension and modernisation of buildings (not for energy purposes).
  • Special processing (honey, wool, hemp, manure), category 3 processing of animal by-products, essential oil distillation: - New equipment, machinery, technology; non-energy modernisation.

Target area 2 – Green investments:

  • Energy efficiency: - Thermal insulation, window and door replacement, heat-recovery ventilation. - Modernisation of heating, cooling and hot water systems. - Modernisation of lighting systems. - Energy efficiency improvements to technological machinery and equipment.
  • Renewable energy: - Solar thermal collectors, solar panels (with storage), biomass, heat pumps, geothermal, biogas, wind energy. - Capacity may not exceed the site's average consumption.

Mandatory:

  • Information and publicity obligations.

Optional, not eligible on their own:

  • Project preparation, engineering tasks, management.
  • Intangible assets (patents, licences).
  • IT equipment and software (production management, enterprise resource planning).
  • Property purchase (max. 2%), development of on-site infrastructure.

Not eligible:

  • TEÁOR (NACE) 1020 (fish), 109 (animal feed), 1102 (wine).
  • Agricultural tractors and work machinery, passenger cars, pick-ups.
  • HGVs, tractor units, trailers (separately).
  • Used machinery, single-use equipment, packaging.
  • Production of liquid biofuels.

6. Permits and documentation

  • For construction work: designer's declaration, architectural and technical design documentation.
  • For investments requiring a permit: final permit by the first payment claim.
  • For solar panel systems: proof of grid connection request.
  • For water-related investments: proof that the procedure has been initiated is sufficient.
  • 3 independent quotations are required for items, machinery and services not included in the ÉNGY reference cost catalogue.

7. Implementation and accounting

  • Projects started before the application is submitted are not eligible.
  • Physical completion: within 24 months of the grant decision becoming final.
  • Public procurement: in accordance with Act CXLIII of 2015.

8. Aid intensity

  • Maximum amount: HUF 100 million.
  • Base support: - 1\. target area and 2/A: 50% - 2/B (renewable): 70%
  • Increased intensity: - Production of a certified organic product (min. HUF 1.5 M in sales): +10%. - Collective investment: +10%. - Upper limit: 65% (except renewable energy).

Regional intensity:

  • Dél-, Észak-Alföld, Dél-, Észak-Magyarország (without exception): 50%.
  • Baranya, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Heves: 60%.
  • Közép-Dunántúl and Nyugat-Dunántúl: 30%.
  • Small enterprises: +20 percentage points, medium-sized enterprises: +10 percentage points.

Large investments: special banded rules (full intensity up to EUR 50 million, then 50%, then 34%).

9. Advance payment and accounting

  • An advance can be requested: - 25% (max. HUF 25 M), then a further 25%. - Or a one-off 50%.
  • An advance can only be requested for costs not yet claimed.
  • Multiple payment claims are possible (e.g. a claim exceeding 10% of the support within 12 months).

10. Cost limits

  • General and intangible costs: max. 5%
  • Information and publicity: max. 0.5% (HUF 150,000)
  • Technical supervision: 1%
  • Audit: 0.5%
  • Operation management: 2.5%
  • Property purchase: max. 2%
  • Site preparation: max. 2%
  • Goods vehicles: max. net HUF 30 million per vehicle