Definition of SME
Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent 99% of all European enterprises. As defined by the European Commission, SMEs are companies with fewer than 250 employees and a turnover of up to €50m or a balance sheet total of up to €43m.
The following table summarises the definition, breaking the distinction down into medium-sized, small and micro enterprises.
| Enterprise category | Headcount | Turnover | Balance sheet total |
| medium-sized | < 250 | € 50 million
(£ 36 million) | € 43 million
(£ 31 million) |
| small | < 50 | € 10 million
(£ 7.2 million) | € 10 million
(£7.2 million) |
| micro | < 10 | € 2 million
(£ 1.4 million) | € 2 million
(£ 1.4 million) |