On May 6, 2003, the Commission adopted a recommendation regarding the definition of a SME, which modified the 1996 Recommendation. The text defines the types of company (autonomous enterprises, partner enterprises and linked enterprises) and establishes a transparent method for calculating the financial limits and number of employees.
This definition has been in effect since January 1, 2005.
|
|
|
1996 Recommendation |
2003 Recommendation |
| Company category |
Staff headcount |
Turnover |
Balance sheet |
Turnover |
Balance sheet |
| Medium-Sized Companies |
<250 |
<= 40 m € |
<= 27 m € |
<= 50 m € |
<= 43 m € |
| Small-Sized Companies |
<50 |
<= 7 m € |
<= 5 m € |
<= 10 m € |
<= 10 m € |
| Micro Companies |
<10 |
|
|
<= 2 m € |
<= 2 m € |
