Kmo-portefeuille for training: how it works

The kmo-portefeuille is open to Flemish small and medium-sized enterprises that want to take training with a registered service provider. In other words, your enterprise must be established in the Flemish Region and fall under the SME definition.

A distinction is made between small and medium-sized enterprises, because the support rate depends on it. When you apply online, the category your enterprise belongs to is checked automatically.

Large enterprises do not qualify for the kmo-portefeuille.

The support rate depends on the size of your enterprise: small enterprises receive 30% support, medium-sized enterprises 20%, in each case calculated on the invoiced training cost.

An annual cap of € 7,500 in support per enterprise applies. Once you have reached that amount in a calendar year, you can no longer use the kmo-portefeuille for training that year.

For two specific themes the support rate is higher — see further in this article.

Not every training course qualifies. The training must fall under one of the eight future-oriented themes:

• Business strategy
• Occupation-specific competences
• Digitalisation
• Sustainability
• Financial literacy
• Innovation
• Internationalisation
• Personnel management

If the training you have in mind falls under one of these themes, it qualifies in principle — provided you purchase it from a service provider registered for the kmo-portefeuille.

Since 1 February 2026 the kmo-portefeuille has been reformed. That reform, however, only affects the advice component: since then, it has been limited to cybersecurity assignments.

Nothing changes for the training component: the eight future-oriented themes, the support rates of 30% and 20%, and the annual cap of € 7,500 continue to apply exactly as they did before 1 February 2026.

For two themes an increased support rate applies: training on cybersecurity and on energy efficiency qualifies for 45% support for small enterprises and 35% support for medium-sized enterprises, instead of the standard rates of 30% and 20%.

The annual cap of € 7,500 also remains the maximum for this increased support.

Application via a registered service provider

You apply for the kmo-portefeuille online. Crucial condition: the training must be purchased from a service provider registered for the kmo-portefeuille — not every training provider qualifies, so check this with the provider in advance.

Afterwards, also keep your own records in order: if you subsidise training via the kmo-portefeuille, you will want to be able to find that training later in your company's training plan and training records. A tool such as Smart Lions registers completed training and attendance and links them to your training plan — free to use, whatever your company size.

Combining with sector funds

The kmo-portefeuille can in principle be combined with support from your sector fund, as long as you do not apply for subsidies twice for exactly the same cost. Many sector funds finance training directly — for example by offering the training itself free of charge or at a reduced rate — which means there is often no cost left for that training to submit via the kmo-portefeuille. So first check what your sector fund already offers. More background on related legal training obligations can be found in the other guides in our guides for employers.

Looking for a bookable training course for your team? Browse the training offer per sector in the sector overview — for example for construction, electricians or white-collar employees.

Training you finance via the kmo-portefeuille is best also tracked administratively. Smart Lions registers completed training and attendance, produces a legally compliant training plan and automatically calculates the individual training right per employee — that calculation is already included in the free tier. You start for free, whatever your company size; more extensive plans from € 10 per month (excl. VAT), and that Basic plan also includes subsidy tracking. Via this link you can also test the full application free for 30 days.

Try Smart Lions for free

Sources: VLAIO – Kmo-portefeuille · Vlaanderen.be – Entrepreneurship