If your company is registered in an EU or EEA country and is looking to expand its business to Bulgaria, now is the perfect time. Through the newly launched BG16RFPR001-1.008 funding procedure, Bulgaria—supported by the EU—is offering non-repayable grants of up to BGN 850,000 (approx. €434,726) to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including foreign companies, to implement Industry 4.0 technologies in Bulgaria.

Key Parameters:

• Eligible applicants: SMEs registered in EU/EEA countries
  Foreign companies can apply if they register a local Bulgarian entity after project approval. This provides a simple and legal path for international companies to enter the Bulgarian market.
• Grant amount: Between BGN 150,000 and BGN 850,000, covering up to 50% of the total project cost.
• Project duration: Up to 15 months.
• Application deadline: December 15, 2025, at 16:30 Bulgarian time.

IMPORTANT: Projects in all business sectors are eligible, except for agriculture, livestock, primary processing of agricultural products, fisheries, and aquaculture.

What Does the Program Fund?

This grant supports investments aimed at implementing advanced digital technologies across industries, provided the activities comply with program rules.

1. Main Areas of Support:

The program funds projects that enable companies to:

• Reach higher levels of digital maturity (e.g., Visibility, Transparency, Predictive Capacity, Adaptability);
• Integrate Industry 4.0 technologies;
• Automate, integrate, and intelligently manage production and business processes.

2. Eligible Activities:

The program includes two components:

Component A – Mandatory:
Investments related to:

• Adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies via the purchase and implementation of new machinery, equipment, and software;
• Initial investments for:
  • Establishing a new business facility;
  • Expanding the capacity of an existing one;
  • Entire transformation of production processes or services.

Examples:

• Smart manufacturing lines and IoT monitoring systems;
• ERP, MES, SCADA, PLM, CAD/CAM systems;
• Robots, sensors, automated warehouse systems;
• Product lifecycle management software;
• AI, machine vision, digital twins, and more.

Component B – Optional (De Minimis Aid):
Consulting services related to:

• Enhancing cybersecurity and data protection;
• Implementing Industry 4.0 standards, such as:
  • BDS EN 62264 – Enterprise control system integration;
  • BDS EN 61512 – Batch process control;
  • BDS EN IEC 62890 – Lifecycle management for systems and components.

3. Eligible Costs:

• Capital expenditures for new tangible assets: machinery, robots, sensors, servers, etc.;
• Intangible assets: software, licenses, integration solutions;
• Consultancy fees for implementing and certifying information security systems (ISO/IEC 27001);
• Standardization and certification costs (up to BGN 20,000);
• Employee training related to new technologies.

Sector-Specific Examples:

1. Healthcare & MedTech

Not just equipment—real digital transformation. The program supports smart tech that connects equipment, staff, and data systems for safer and more efficient healthcare delivery.

Examples:

• Automation of lab or production processes
• Real-time IoT monitoring
• ERP, LIMS, MES, PLM software
• AI and machine learning applications
• Robotic surgery, sterilization, logistics
• 3D printing and bioprinting of medical devices
• Specialized licenses and digital platforms

Requirement: The technology must align with Industry 4.0 – automated, connected, intelligent, and data-driven.

2. Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

Digital production, quality control, and supply chain traceability.

3. Food & Beverage Industry

Automated production, raw material traceability, intelligent inventory systems.

4. Electronics & Electrical Engineering

Component factories, automated assembly and testing, robotic manufacturing.

5. Automotive & Components

Parts production, IoT maintenance systems, digital twins of production lines.

6. Mechanical Engineering & Metalworking

CAD/CAM/PLM systems, CNC machines, predictive maintenance with sensors.

7. Logistics & Warehousing (Smart Logistics)

Automated storage, robotics, real-time shipment tracking.

8. Manufacturing

Digitized production lines, sensors, automated reporting systems.

9. Furniture & Woodworking

Smart production lines, robotic arms, optimization software.

10. Textile & Fashion

Digital sewing processes, automated cutting systems, smart warehouse solutions.

11. Cosmetics & Chemical Industry

Robotics in mixing and packaging, automated lab systems, ERP/MES/LIMS.

Why Bulgaria?

• EU member with access to major European programs
• Strategic location in Southeast Europe
• Low operational costs and skilled IT/medical workforce
• Growing ecosystem in health and industrial technologies
• Entry point to the EU market for new products

For international companies, this is a unique opportunity to access a new market with EU-backed financial support and professional local assistance.

How Can We Help?

KITIKPRO provides full support to foreign companies, including:

✅ Eligibility assessment
✅ Support with Bulgarian company registration
✅ Full project documentation
✅ Communication with Bulgarian institutions
✅ Project management and reporting

📞 Book your free preliminary consultation today:
Phone: +359 878 64 14 78
Email: info@kitikpro.com