What can dentists in Bulgarian gain from European programs in 2025?

In 2025, dental practices in Bulgaria have a rare opportunity to secure serious funding for digitalization and sustainable growth through two key European programs.

Two open programs with European funding offer a real opportunity for the development of dental practices:

• Up to 500,000 leva 100% grant funding – for new equipment, software, machines, including green technologies.
• Up to 200,000 euro co-financing (50%) – for dental practices in rural areas, including software, machines, renewable energy, technologies and patents.

If you have a dental practice in one of the eligible regions or in a rural area – this could be an opportunity to scale up, digitize or implement sustainable technologies.

Program 1: "Diversification and adaptation of SMEs to the economic transition"

What is it?

A program with European grant for small dental practices that want to:

• Purchase new equipment and technologies
• Implement green energy (e.g. solar panels)
• Expand or modernize their activities

Is it suitable for my practice?

To apply, you must meet the following conditions:

• Have realized a total of at least 100,000 BGN in sales revenue for the period 2021–2023
• Have an operating dental practice that operates or plans to expand in one of the following regions:

All municipalities in the following districts:

• Pernik
• Kyustendil
• Stara Zagora

Or these municipalities:

• in Haskovo district - Dimitrovgrad, Simeonovgrad, Topolovgrad, Harmanli, Haskovo,
• in Yambol district - Elhovo, Tundzha, Yambol,
• in Sliven district - Nova Zagora, Sliven,
• and the entire Maritsa basin.

What can be financed?

• Purchase of new dental equipment, devices and machines
• Medical or administrative software
• Solar panels and other RES systems for own needs
• Renovation of the office (if part of the project)
• Training for the team related to the new equipment

Amount of financing:

• Up to 500,000 BGN
• 100% free of charge (no need for co-financing)

Deadlines for participation

• Application deadline: by May 15, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
• Maximum project duration: up to 24 months

More information:

Official program page in the EUMIS 2020: View conditions here

Program 2: "Investments for non-agricultural activities in rural areas"

What is it?

This program provides European co-financing for small businesses operating in rural areas and wishing to invest in:

• New equipment and software
• Green energy
• Technologies and intellectual property

Is it suitable for my dental practice?

To apply, you must meet the following conditions:

1 Have a dental practice registered as a micro-enterprise, i.e.:

• up to 9 employees
• annual turnover or assets up to 2 million euros

2 Be registered and have been operating in a rural area for at least 24 months (with the company's headquarters and actual activity in the same settlement)

3 Be in the "Healthcare" sector, which includes:

• dentists
• general practitioners, specialists
• pharmacies, opticians, medico-social care, etc.

What can be financed?

• Purchase of new machines, equipment and dental software
• Installation of RES (renewable energy sources) up to 1 megawatt
• Acquisition of patents, licenses, trademarks, copyrights and specialized software

Priority is given to candidates who:

• Are women-owners under 40
• Invest in environmental or energy-efficient technologies
• Implement innovations in their work
• Are people with permanent disabilities
• Work in mountainous or underdeveloped areas

Amount of funding:

• Up to 200,000 euros, covering up to 50% of total costs
• Maximum amount of eligible costs: 400,000 euros

Deadlines

• The official admission under the program is expected to open in spring 2025.