AI subsidies for SMEsin Flanders: what still applies

Why this article

Subsidies for digital projects in Flanders changed more in 2026 than in the years before. Several articles online still describe the old rules, which leads to plans that count on support that no longer exists. This is an overview of what we know in October 2026, with a clear warning: rules and budgets move, so always check the current conditions on vlaio.be before you sign anything.

We are not a subsidy consultant. We build AI and software, and clients regularly ask us what support they can get. This is the answer we give them, written down.

The kmo-portefeuille: what changed

For years the kmo-portefeuille was the go to route for SMEs that wanted support for training and advice. Two changes matter.

First, since 1 February 2026 the advice part only covers cybersecurity advice. Advice on digital strategy or AI is no longer eligible. If you planned to fund an AI advisory track through the kmo-portefeuille, that route is closed.

Second, on 1 October 2026 the Flemish government announced that the kmo-portefeuille stops: from 1 January 2027 companies can no longer use it for training or advice. The budget for 2026 ran out even sooner. Since 15 October 2026 no new applications are possible. Companies with an application already running can finish their track until 31 December 2027. VLAIO names no direct replacement.

Training: what the rules were

For completeness: the training part of the kmo-portefeuille supported 30% of the cost for small companies and 20% for medium companies, with a cap of €7,500 per year. Training on cybersecurity or energy efficiency got 45% and 35%. With new applications stopped, these numbers mainly help to understand applications that are still running. Training costs for your professional activity stay tax deductible.

If your team needs AI training, it is still worth doing. The EU AI Act asks companies that use AI to take measures for the AI literacy of their people. That obligation does not depend on a subsidy.

The development project for innovation

For projects where you develop something new, VLAIO has the development project (ontwikkelingsproject). The base support is 25% of the accepted costs, with extra percentage points for small and medium companies and for collaboration, up to a maximum of 50%. The subsidy itself must be at least €25,000 and at most €3 million per project, so in practice the project costs at least around €50,000.

Not every AI project qualifies. The project has to contain real innovation for your company, with technical uncertainty, and you need to show what you will develop and how it strengthens your position. Building a new AI driven way of working that does not exist in your sector yet can fit. Buying an existing tool usually does not.

The application takes work: a project plan, a budget and an explanation of the innovation. Plan for it in your timeline, because approval takes time and only costs from the start date of your project count, at the earliest the first of the month after you submitted a complete application.

Tax benefits and other routes

There are also federal tax measures for digital investments, such as an increased investment deduction. The conditions are technical and change regularly, so ask your accountant how they apply to your project before you count on them.

Some sector organisations, provinces and cities run their own programmes for digitalisation, often small and time limited. They are worth a look, but rarely large enough to carry a project.

How to plan without counting on a subsidy

Our advice is simple: make sure the project is worth doing without support. A good AI project pays itself back through saved hours and better service. If a subsidy comes on top, that is a bonus that speeds up payback. If your plan only works with a subsidy, the plan is usually too big or aimed at the wrong flow.

Start with one flow, measure the result and expand from there. That approach also fits subsidy rules better, because you can describe a concrete project with a clear result instead of a vague transformation.

Is there a specific AI subsidy?

Not as a separate, permanent scheme for SMEs at the time of writing. From time to time there are calls or programmes around digitalisation and AI, often for a specific sector or region and with a short application window. They can be interesting, but they are hard to plan around. If you hear of one, check who can apply, which costs count and whether the deadline fits your project.

Be careful with offers that promise to arrange a subsidy for your AI project as part of a package. Ask exactly which scheme they mean and check it on vlaio.be. With the changes this year, some of those promises are based on rules that no longer apply.

Timing matters

Most support schemes only count costs made after you applied, and some only after approval. If you start a project first and look for support later, you may lose the right to it. On the other hand, waiting months for a decision can cost more in lost hours than the subsidy is worth. Weigh both before you decide to wait.

A short checklist

Check the current status of the scheme on vlaio.be on the day you apply. Make sure you apply before costs are made, if the scheme requires it. Keep a clear project description with goals and a budget, which you need anyway. Ask your accountant about tax measures. And keep the project worthwhile on its own, so a rejection does not stop you.