Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) will launch a new credit guarantee program dedicated to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the defense and dual-use technology sectors. The program is set to start in May 2026 and aims to facilitate companies' access to financing for investments in security and defense. This new initiative aligns with the broader policy of support for the Polish defense industry, announced in response to the changed geopolitical situation in Europe. Simultaneously, BGK summarized the operation of the existing de minimis guarantee system, which over the past 12 years has enabled loans for SMEs with a total value of 412 billion zlotys.
New Defense Guarantee Program
BGK is launching a special guarantee program for SMEs operating in the defense sector and the production of dual-use goods. It is set to start in May 2026 and aims to facilitate companies' access to capital for investments related to security, including the modernization of production lines.
Summary of the De Minimis Program
The bank reported that over 12 years of operation, the de minimis guarantee system supported the granting of loans for small and medium-sized firms with a total value of 412 billion zlotys. Thanks to these guarantees, entrepreneurs received real financial aid estimated at over 400 million zlotys.
Geopolitical Context and Security
The launch of the new program is a response to current challenges related to security and defense. The initiative aims to strengthen the national defense industry and increase its resilience and production capabilities in key areas.
Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) has announced a new financial support initiative for small and medium-sized enterprises. A special credit guarantee program is to be dedicated to companies in the defense sector and those producing dual-use goods. According to sources, the program is set to launch in May 2026, although details regarding the fund pool or exact conditions have not yet been disclosed. The main goal is to facilitate SMEs' access to capital for investments related to security and production modernization. Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego was established in 1924 as a central credit institution intended to support the reconstruction and development of the Polish economy after regaining independence. Throughout its history, it has repeatedly served as an instrument for implementing state economic policy, including programs supporting key sectors. The announcement of the new program is accompanied by a summary of the bank's previous activity in the guarantee area. BGK reported that over the past 12 years, the de minimis guarantee system enabled the issuance of loans for small and medium-sized enterprises with a total value of 412 billion zlotys. Thanks to this mechanism, entrepreneurs received real financial support estimated at over 400 million zlotys. These numbers show the scale achieved by this public aid instrument, which is one of the pillars of the policy supporting Polish business. The de minimis guarantee mechanism is widely used across the European Union. The launch of a dedicated program for the defense sector is not coincidental and fits into the broader context of government policy and the changed international situation. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, many Central European countries, including Poland, have significantly increased defense spending and begun processes to modernize their armies and industrial base. The new BGK program aims to strengthen the national supply chain and increase the production capabilities of Polish companies operating for security. The support is intended to cover not only traditional defense contractors but also enterprises producing civil-military technologies, which can have applications in both the economy and the armed forces.