Funding

ISO certification funding through ΕΣΠΑ

Few business owners know it: the cost of an ISO certification — both the consultant and the certification body — is an eligible expense in many ΕΣΠΑ programmes for SMEs. In practice this means a significant part of the investment can be subsidised, provided the timing and the paperwork are right.

How it works in practice

  1. 01

    Check what is open

    ΕΣΠΑ calls open and close in waves — digital transformation, competitiveness, green transition. At any given time some accept certification costs. We tell you what applies to your size, sector and region.

  2. 02

    Get the quotes into the file

    The application needs specific written quotes for consulting and certification. We provide ours immediately; the certification body quote we help you request and compare.

  3. 03

    Time the project correctly

    Expenses are typically eligible only after submission (or approval). We schedule the project phases so every invoice falls inside the eligible window.

  4. 04

    Implement and collect

    The project runs normally — the funding follows the programme’s milestones. Your accountant or ΕΣΠΑ consultant handles disbursement; we provide whatever documentation is asked.

What to watch out for

Two common mistakes cost businesses their funding: starting (and invoicing) the project before the eligibility date, and quotes that do not match the application’s expense categories. Both are avoidable with a phone call before you begin — not after. See also: what ISO certification costs

Tell us your size, sector and region — we will tell you whether an active programme can fund your certification, and what the realistic timeline looks like.

Free Assessment

FAQ — ΕΣΠΑ & ISO

Which ISO-related costs do ΕΣΠΑ programmes typically cover?+

Most SME programmes treat both the consultant’s fee and the certification body’s fee as eligible expenses, usually under categories like “quality certification” or “business organisation”. Each call defines its own rates and caps — we check the active ones for your case.

Can we start the ISO project before the application is approved?+

As a rule, expenses are eligible only after the application date (sometimes after approval). This is exactly why timing matters: we align the certification plan with the funding timeline so no expense is lost.

We are not eligible for any programme right now. Does certification still pay?+

Usually yes — most clients certify for commercial reasons (tenders, clients, exports) and treat funding as a bonus. The free assessment will tell you what the investment looks like either way.

Do you submit the ΕΣΠΑ application for us?+

We focus on the certification project itself and cooperate with your accountant or ΕΣΠΑ consultant, providing the quotes and documentation the application needs. If you do not have one, we can point you to specialists.

Start your journey to certification

Book a free initial assessment. We will analyse your needs and recommend the optimal standard and timeline.