Flemish government simplifies and harmonises rules for VLAIO support
January 2026 - The Flemish government is thoroughly reforming the rules governing VLAIO support. It has one clear objective: greater simplicity, uniformity and legal certainty for companies and research institutions that apply for subsidies. The new rules came into force on 1 October 2025 and apply to a wide range of support measures.
The Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) currently manages various support measures, each with its own decision and specific conditions. In practice, this led to small but important differences, for example in the assessment of companies in difficulty or with outstanding debts. This fragmentation sometimes caused uncertainty and additional administrative burdens.
With this reform, the Flemish government is resolutely opting for harmony. The conditions will be better aligned so that companies know more quickly whether they are eligible for support. At the same time, VLAIO avoids cases being fully processed only to be rejected later.
A single uniform test for European state aid
One important change is the harmonisation of European state aid conditions. From now on, the same rule applies everywhere: companies in difficulty or involved in ongoing European recovery procedures are not eligible for aid when required by European law. This increases transparency and predictability for applicants.
Suspension in the event of outstanding debts
Another new feature is that the payment of aid will be automatically suspended if a company or research institution has outstanding debts with VLAIO, the Fund for Innovation and Entrepreneurship or the Fund for Scientific Research. Payment will only resume once the debt has been settled or the procedure has been completed.
Broader scope and more flexible environmental aid
Finally, the scope of ERDF and ESF aid is being expanded: in addition to companies, self-employed persons and non-profit organisations are now also eligible. The government is relaxing the payment conditions for environmental aid: investments must still be made in Flanders, but may now also be made through third-party financing.
