Policy for aws ERP Loans
Valid from January 1, 2025 – A comprehensive guide to promoting growth and innovation projects in the Austrian economy
Objectives and Mission of the ERP Fund
Structural Improvement
The ERP Fund contributes to the structural improvement of the Austrian economy through direct economic promotion, supporting expansion, rationalization, and productivity.
Innovation & Growth
Support for technologically demanding projects provides impetus for innovation, sustainable growth, and employment in Austria.
Facilitation of Financing
Facilitating access to financing, improving financing structure, and reducing financing costs for companies.
Project Evaluation Dimensions
Innovation
Technological progress and new solutions
Growth & Employment
Impetus for sustainable corporate growth
Environmental Relevance
Energy and resource efficiency
Societal Impact
Positive social and diversity effects
Projects receive the highest rating when combining strong impetus for sustainable corporate growth and employment with high innovation content.
Positive effects regarding energy and resource efficiency, sustainability effects, and positive societal impacts are also considered in the evaluation.
Legal Basis
1
National Foundations
ERP Fund Act, Federal Law Gazette No. 207/1962 as amended
2
GBER
General Block Exemption Regulation (EU) No. 651/2014 as amended by Regulation (EU) No. 2023/1315
3
De Minimis
Regulation (EU) 2023/2831 on de minimis aid
4
EAFRD
Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 for the Common Agricultural Policy
Eligible Enterprises
Natural or legal persons, as well as partnerships, who operate an enterprise in their own name and for their own account or intend to do so within 12 months.
01
Location in Austria
Head office or operating site in Austria required
02
Economic Sectors
Industry, trade, services, tourism, transport, processing of agricultural products, retail
03
Special Sectors
Agriculture, forestry with specific requirements
Excluded: Liberal professions (except architects and consulting engineers), fisheries, primary production, financial sector, insurance, non-profit associations, public bodies, and undertakings in difficulty
Eligible Projects: Industry, Trade & Services
Domestic Investments
- New business formations and business relocations
- Company acquisitions and successions
- Product and process innovations
- Modernization and expansion investments
- Development of new business areas
- Incubator centers and technology parks
- Apprenticeship training infrastructure
Direct Investments Abroad
- Equity participations for market entry
- Intensification of economic relations
- Strategic foreign investments
- Acquisition of foreign companies
Minimum project costs: EUR 10.000,00
Eligible Costs
Tangible Assets
Machinery, equipment, tools, IT hardware, construction investments, owner's contributions, land acquisition
Intangible Assets
Patent rights, licenses, know-how, non-patented expertise under certain conditions
Non-Capitalizable Costs
Innovation or growth measures with project character and additional funding requirements
The subsidized investment goods must be capitalized in the balance sheet and used as intended during their economic useful life.
Research & Development
R&D Projects
New or significantly improved products, production processes, or services
Prototypes & Pilot Plants
Creation of prototypes, pilot or demonstration facilities, and experimental plants
Research Infrastructure
Operational or inter-company research infrastructure with transparent access
Eligible R&D Costs in Detail
Personnel & Equipment
- Personnel costs for R&D employees
- Instruments and equipment
- Building costs
External Services
- Contract research
- Technical knowledge
- Patents and licenses
- Consulting services
Additional Costs
- Additional overheads
- Other operating costs
- Materials and supplies
Important: Separate records must be kept for project costs. All costs must be assigned to the category "industrial research" or "experimental development".
Aid-Free Loans
Eligible Projects
Domestic innovation and growth projects: modernization, expansion, new products/processes, business settlements, start-ups, R&D, manufacturing transfer, working capital
No State Aid
The financing does not constitute state aid. Provisions of state aid law are not applicable. Costs up to 6 months before application can be funded.
Loan Amount & Conditions
Minimum EUR 3 million. Term 5-10 years. Fixed interest rates at least EU base rate plus 100 basis points. No additional fee.
Agriculture Sector
Promotion of investments for the processing and marketing of agricultural products (excluding fishery products) with the following focuses:
Innovation & Value Creation
Development of innovative products, new manufacturing processes, high value-added products, and protected designation of origin
Efficiency Enhancement
Improvement of product flow, process technology, production and marketing structure, reduction of losses
Quality & Standards
Improvement of hygiene and quality standards, traceability systems, animal welfare, export requirements
Forestry Sector
Reforestation
- New afforestation of wasteland
- Conversion of site-inappropriate stands
- Establishment of energy wood areas
- Reforestation after disasters
- Crop protection and maintenance measures (up to 5 years)
Forest Development & Mechanization
- Construction of forest roads in an environmentally friendly manner
- Reconstruction of outdated forest roads
- Forestry machinery and equipment
- Special vehicles for timber harvesting
Legal basis for aid: Loan granting is exclusively based on "De-minimis"
Tourism Sector: Eligible Projects
Modernization & Expansion
Catering and accommodation establishments with a contemporary or high-quality offering
Active & Adventure Holidays
Projects to promote active or adventure holidays with particular tourism significance
New Buildings
In tourism development areas, with klima.aktiv silver standard or for the reactivation of vacant tourist properties
Own Contribution: For new buildings over EUR 1 Mio., at least 50% (of which 25% genuine equity), for other projects at least 30%. For loans under EUR 1 Mio., no own contribution is required.
Transport & Flood Relief Sector
Transport
Investments for shifting traffic from road to rail or ship:
- Combined/intermodal freight transport
- Special facilities and transshipment facilities
- Decarbonization in freight transport
- Charging infrastructure and H2 refueling stations
- Climate-friendly propulsion in Danube shipping
Loan amount: Max. EUR 4 million
Operational Flood Relief 2024
Elimination of flood damage from EUR 10,000:
- Direct connection to flooding
- Damage assessment by the Disaster Fund
- Up to 100% of the damage sum, max. EUR 10 million
- 0% interest rate over the entire term
- Application deadline: until 30.06.2025
Projects Not Eligible for Funding
Generally Excluded
- Projects without plausible chances of success
- Projects without secured financing
- Pure financial participations without project character
- Projects without entrepreneurial context
Foreign Investments
- Warring or embargoed countries
- No positive contribution to Austria
- Countries with increased money laundering risk
- No participation guarantee G4 possible
Non-Eligible Costs
- Costs incurred before application
- Export-related activities
- Small-value invoices below EUR 150
- Refinancing of existing loans
- Restructuring or reorganization
Loan Amount and Conditions
10K
Minimum Amount
EUR 10,000 per project (Exceptions: Agriculture/Forestry EUR 300,000)
30M
Standard Upper Limit
EUR 30 million per project (Transport: EUR 4 million)
20
Maximum Term
20 years including grace periods from first loan disbursement
In justified individual cases, the ERP Loan Commission may also approve higher loans for projects with significant economic benefit and good creditworthiness.
Special Conditions
Founders & Young Companies (up to EUR 1 Million)
Reduced fixed interest rate, reduced disbursement fee (0.5%), no commitment fee, no early repayment fee. Applies to SMEs up to 6 years after founding/takeover.
Technology
For RDI projects and highly innovative projects: longer grace period of up to 5 years.
Infrastructure
For RDI infrastructure, startup centers, technology parks, apprentice training: longer grace period of up to 5 years.
Flood Relief 2024
9-year term, 3 years grace period, 0% interest rate, no disbursement fee, utilization until 31.12.2025.
Interest Rates and Fees
Interest Rate Structure
For aws erp loans with a total term of more than 10 years, 'jump-fixed' interest rates are set during the repayment period, which change in parallel with the 12-month EURIBOR:
Fees
Disbursement Fee
0.9% of the loan amount, max. EUR 67,500 (0.5% for founders up to EUR 1 million)
Commitment Fee
0.75% p.a. for loans over EUR 1 million after the utilization period
Early Repayment
No fee up to EUR 1 million, 2% over EUR 1 million
Cumulation and Maximum Aid Intensity
20%
SME Investments
Small Enterprises (GBER Art. 17)
10%
Medium-sized Enterprises
GBER Art. 17
50%
Industrial Research
GBER Art. 25 (plus bonuses possible)
25%
Experimental Development
GBER Art. 25 (plus bonuses possible)
For Regional Investment Aid (GBER Art. 14), the maximum rates according to the aid map apply: 10-15% for large enterprises, 20-25% for medium-sized enterprises, 30-35% for small enterprises.
De-minimis: Maximum EUR 300,000 accumulated over three fiscal years per undertaking
aws ERP Loan: Application Process and Next Steps
The aws ERP Loan provides essential funding for strategic projects, driving innovation and growth. Successful engagement with this program requires a clear understanding of its application process, evaluation criteria, and the available support mechanisms.
Application Process
Navigate the online application, preparing required documents and adhering to submission deadlines for a smooth start.
Evaluation Criteria
Understand the key factors aws considers, such as project viability, financial soundness, and innovative potential, to strengthen your proposal.
Implementation Support
Leverage aws resources and guidance post-approval to ensure successful project execution, monitoring, and reporting compliance.
For optimal project success, align your investment strategy with aws ERP loan objectives. Proactive planning and comprehensive documentation are crucial for a successful application and seamless project implementation. Explore how the aws ERP loan can complement other funding instruments to maximize your project's impact.
Need detailed guidance on the aws ERP loan? Explore the official aws ERP-Kredit page for comprehensive information and eligibility criteria.