What Is the Employment Retention Support Programme?
The Employment Retention Support Programme is a support framework for manufacturers retaining employment. This guide explains preparation for financing support in the 2026-2 round; it does not promise loan approval or entitlement to support.
Loans, support and employment requirements are different
Bank loan
This is financing the business must repay. An eligible programme application does not replace the bank's lending decision.
Financing support
It is not a grant equal to the loan principal. The 2026-2 announcement provides financing support only; performance support must not be carried over into this round.
A budget that overlooks this distinction confuses expected support with payments owed to the bank. Track loan instalments separately from support payments.
To review accounting, budget and cash flow records together, explore the KG Herme finance and accounting solution. Software records support financial monitoring; they do not determine the bank's lending decision or KOSGEB's assessment.
Announced limits · Not the amount every business can borrow
Announced loan ceilings for SMEs / large enterprises. Actual borrowing depends on records, eligibility and the bank's assessment.
The announced limit for the 2026-2 round. It does not mean an upfront payment equal to 12% of the investment or loan amount.
The announcement allows a term of up to 36 months and a principal grace period of up to 6 months. A principal grace period does not mean there are no payments; check the bank's repayment schedule separately.
Official explanation of loan and support conditionsCheck four points before applying
Business activity record
Check the manufacturing activity and the relevant NACE record. The directive uses administrative records as at 31 December 2025; adding a code afterwards does not establish eligibility on its own.
Up-to-date business information
Compare KOSGEB registration, active status, the Business Declaration and authorised-user information. Prevent different staff from working with conflicting file versions.
Reference-period records
Identify the covered SGK workplaces and reference-period declarations. The directive excludes workplaces with zero average insured days or no declaration because they had no insured employees.
Business size and application channel
The programme announcement covers SMEs and large enterprises. Confirm the applicable rules and application channel for your business size with the responsible authority; do not apply the SME directive unchanged to every enterprise.
Retaining employment is not simply counting employees
The assessment uses SGK insured days. Ensure that internal staff lists and official declarations cover the same period and workplaces. Review missing days or corrections with the accounting and HR teams.
Records used as the comparison baseline.
Records used to monitor the retention requirement.
Article 12 of the directive explains monthly checks and cumulative-average checks. This diagram is not an automated eligibility calculation; rely on the result in the official system.
Build the application file from its source records
One period, one file, clear responsibility
Instead of repeatedly requesting the same document from different people, identify its source and reviewer. Accounting, HR and finance should use consistent period labels.
Use the fields in the application form to structure your file. The checklist below is an internal preparation aid, not an official list of attachments or application approval.
Review the 2026-2 application formThese boxes are for personal checks on this page only; selections are not saved and do not submit an application to the authority.
To track accounting, inventory, sales and financial records in a single browser-based platform, review the scope of Korgün Cloud ERP. The aim here is to organise business data; do not assume features for SGK declarations, application submission or support eligibility calculations.
Plan what happens after applying
Reconcile the file
Identify the document, period and responsible person for each item in the form. Note missing or conflicting records before applying.
Confirm through the official system
The authorised user should complete the application and undertaking steps. Do not assume that a saved draft counts as a submitted application; check its status and reference number.
Monitor the assessment
Assign responsibility for notifications, corrections and the bank stage. If further information is requested, record which document version was submitted.
Continue retention and payment monitoring
After applying, monitor insured days, loan instalments and support payment requests in one checklist. Do not assume these three processes finish automatically on the same date.
Support should not be treated as unrestricted cash: the announcement limits its use to tax and SGK premium liabilities. Track loan movements, support requests and liability payments separately in the business budget.
For options to track cash, bank transactions and loan instalments, explore the Cloud ERP financial management modules. The records to migrate from your existing system and the functionality to use should be clarified during requirements analysis.
For the business impact of the repayment schedule, read the cash flow management guide If you are exploring a different programme for machinery or capacity investment, the KOSGEB Capacity Development guide explains its separate scope.
Frequently asked questions
Does this support cover the loan principal without repayment?
No. The bank loan and the programme's financing support are separate items. An announced ceiling does not mean the business receives a grant of the same amount.
Is filling in the application form enough?
The directive requires confirmation through the system. Check the status of the form, attachments and undertaking; applying alone does not create an acquired right.
Is the bank loan approved automatically?
No. Programme eligibility and the bank's credit assessment are different stages. Do not base your financing plan on approval that has not been confirmed.
Does this checklist replace review by an accountant or the authority?
No. The checklist organises file preparation. Relevant specialists and authorities must review business eligibility, official records, undertakings and payment conditions.
Official sources and last review
Last reviewed: 26 October 2026. The application schedule, 2026-2 announcement, directive and forms below were checked. A support element in the general directive may not be active in a particular round; read the round-specific announcement separately.