When a startup seeks funding through ENISA, one of the main questions is: how long does ENISA take to approve and disburse the loan? Although it is not an especially long process, a lack of preparation or not understanding the timing of each phase can make it take longer than expected.
In this article, we break down the stages of the process and the timelines to approve and disburse this loan. This way, you will be able to manage your project with greater clarity and avoid unnecessary surprises throughout the process.
ENISA loan stages
The application process for this loan is divided into several stages. Here we explain how the process works and the approximate timelines you can expect for the approval of your ENISA loan and receiving the corresponding disbursement.
The first step to avoid errors in your ENISA application. At this stage, the duration will depend on how long it takes your company to submit all the required documentation, including your business plan, financial plan, and legal and tax evidence. Make sure everything is complete before submitting, as ENISA will not move forward with the process if any essential document is missing.
Once ENISA receives your application, an analyst will review the viability of your project. This includes analyzing the business model, team structure, and financial projections. If ENISA requires additional information, they will let you know, which may add extra days to the process.
Once the analyst has reviewed the project, the application is submitted to ENISA’s Investment Committee. ENISA loan applications of up to €300,000 are usually approved at this stage, while those exceeding this amount must be approved by the Board of Directors, which can add an additional 2 to 3 weeks to the process.
In many cases, approval is conditional upon meeting additional requirements, such as a capital increase. You have a maximum of 60 days to meet these conditions — if they are not fulfilled within the deadline, you may request an extension, but this will significantly delay the overall timeline.
Once all conditions have been met, the agreement is signed before a notary. The disbursement could be faster and completed within a few days. However, these types of procedures often take longer than expected.
Here we provide two tables that summarize the duration, importance, and level of control/risk for each of the stages:
If you need more information, you can read our article “How to get an ENISA loan 2026”, where we explain in depth everything you need to know about this public funding.
