“Where do I get a subsidy to open a sole proprietorship?” is one of the most common beginner questions – and a source of much disappointment, because outdated advice still circulates online. Let’s set things straight: the classic self-employment subsidy that once existed at the Employment Service has been gone for years. But a range of other, very concrete incentives for entrepreneurs do exist. Here’s an overview of what’s live and where to find it.
The myth: the self-employment subsidy
The programme in which an unemployed person received a one-off subsidy for opening a sole proprietorship was abolished years ago. If someone today promises you “a subsidy for opening a sole proprietorship at the employment office,” they’re talking about the past. Its role has largely been taken over by the automatic relief, which is even more accessible – it requires no unemployed status, no applications and no waiting.
What everyone gets: contribution relief on first registration
On your first entry in the Business Register, under the ZPIZ-2 act you are automatically entitled to a partial exemption from the pension and disability insurance contribution: 50% in the first 12 months and 30% in the next 12. No applications, no calls for proposals – the relief is applied at calculation, the state covers the difference, and your pension period accrues in full. We break it down in more detail in the article on sole-proprietorship contributions.
Vouchers from the Slovene Enterprise Fund
The Slovene Enterprise Fund (SPS) co-finances smaller, precisely defined activities through vouchers – typically in digitalisation, online sales, certificates, intellectual-property protection or entering foreign markets. The amounts are smaller but the procedures simpler than classic calls; the set of current vouchers and their conditions change, so check the currently open ones on the fund’s website.
Startup grants (P2 and related calls)
For innovative startups (usually a limited company with a development product, not classic service activities), SPS periodically publishes startup grants – the best known is the P2 call. Funds are tied to milestones, competition is serious, and preparing the application requires a worked-out business plan. If you’re developing a product with growth potential, this is the first call to check; deadlines are usually once a year.
Incentives when you hire
A richer set of incentives awaits entrepreneurs in the role of employer: the Employment Service of Slovenia, through public calls (e.g. Zaposli.me-type programmes), subsidises hiring the unemployed from target groups with amounts in the range of a few hundred euros a month for a limited period, subject to a commitment to retain the job. If you’re considering your first co-worker from the unemployment register, check the open calls before signing a contract – the application must, as a rule, be submitted before hiring.
Three more addresses to watch
- SPIRIT Slovenia: programmes for training, internationalisation and co-financing trade-fair appearances.
- SPS micro-loans and guarantees: not grants, but more favourable financing sources for micro and small companies.
- Local and regional incentives: municipalities and regional development agencies occasionally offer their own funds – less competition, closer to you.
How to track calls without burning out
Instead of weekly browsing across ten websites: subscribe to the SPS and SPIRIT newsletters, occasionally review the call aggregators (spot.gov.si, gov.si), and note which type of incentive even concerns you. An important rule: let the call finance what you’d do anyway – bending your business to fit a call is the road to expensive detours.
First-hand advice is free
SPOT advisory points also help, free of charge, with orientation among incentives – use them. Another valuable shortcut is the community: at the makerSP_CE coworking space sit entrepreneurs who have already applied for vouchers and calls and know where the documentation pitfalls are. Half an hour over coffee often saves a week of reading tender documents – and the price list is certainly lower than a consultant’s hourly rate.
Frequently asked questions
I’m unemployed and opening a sole proprietorship – what am I entitled to?
The automatic contribution exemption on first registration and free support from SPOT points. If you receive unemployment benefit, be sure to check the effect on your entitlement with the Employment Service before opening – the rules are specific and the wrong order can cost you the benefit. We described the registration process in the guide on how to open a sole proprietorship.
Are there grants for buying equipment?
Occasionally, through vouchers or targeted calls (often tied to digitalisation or manufacturing), but never “off the shelf.” Check the current SPS offer – and don’t buy before submitting the application, since prior costs are usually ineligible.
Is applying for a call even worth it for small businesses?
Vouchers and simpler calls, yes; large calls require administration that eats the benefit for small amounts. Always calculate: the value of the incentive against the hours of preparation and reporting obligations.
Conclusion
Forget the myth of a subsidy for opening a sole proprietorship – and use what really exists: the automatic contribution exemption, SPS vouchers, startup grants for innovative teams and subsidies when you hire. Follow two or three genuine sources, apply only for what supports your existing direction – and don’t forget that the most reliable “subsidy” is still a paying client.
The set and conditions of incentives change quickly – check the currently open vouchers, calls and public invitations before applying; this article deliberately omits specific amounts.
Related reading
- How to Open a Sole Proprietorship in Slovenia in 2026
- Contributions for a Sole Proprietorship in 2026
- How to Write a Business Plan
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