Digitalization Funding for SMEs All Programs at a Glance

The German funding landscape for SME digitalization has fundamentally changed in 2025/2026. With the expiration of the federal programs go-digital (end of 2024) and Digital Jetzt (end of 2023), an information vacuum has emerged. At the same time, requirements are increasing due to the EU AI Act and mandatory e-invoicing. However, numerous funding opportunities remain available at federal, state, and EU level.

The BMWK program go-digital expired at the end of 2024 and funded consulting services in the modules Digital Business Processes, Digital Market Development, and IT Security with up to 16,500 euros. Digital Jetzt ended at the end of 2023 and subsidized investments in digital technologies with up to 50,000 euros. There are no direct successor programs at the federal level so far — making BAFA consulting funding and state programs all the more important.

The BAFA funding for entrepreneurial know-how is the most important federal program still available. Young companies (up to 2 years) receive up to 80% subsidy, established companies up to 50%. With a consulting day rate of 800 euros net, that's up to 3,200 euros in subsidies for established companies. Particularly relevant: Wito AI CDO-as-a-Service consulting (490 euros/month) is BAFA-eligible — effectively halving the customer price.

The KfW ERP Digitalization and Innovation Loan (Program 380/390) supports digitalization investments with low-interest loans of up to 25 million euros. A prerequisite is successful completion of the KfW Digitalization Check. The loan is particularly suitable for larger digitalization projects such as ERP implementations, cloud migrations, or IoT deployments.

Numerous German states offer their own digitalization funding programs: Digitalbonus Bavaria: Funds SMEs with up to 50,000 euros (50% subsidy). Baden-Wuerttemberg: Digitalisierungspraemie Plus program. North Rhine-Westphalia: Support via MID-Digitalisierung. Saxony: E-Business program. Each state has its own terms, deadlines, and requirements. Our Funding Compass helps you find the right program for your state.

At the EU level, SMEs have access to programs like Digital Europe (DIGITAL), Horizon Europe SME Instrument, and the European Innovation Council (EIC Accelerator). These programs are more competitive but offer higher funding volumes. Particularly relevant for SMEs are the Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs), which provide free consulting and testing environments for AI and digitalization.

Our interactive Funding Compass searches the current funding database by state, industry, and company size. In just a few clicks, you'll find the right funding programs for your digitalization project — with direct links to application forms and advisory centers.

1. Assess digitalization needs: Start with our free Digitalization Check to determine your current maturity level. 2. Find the right funding: Use the Funding Compass or let us advise you on which programs you qualify for. 3. Prepare your application: Create a digitalization plan with specific measures, timeline, and cost breakdown. 4. Submit the application: Submit the application before the project starts to the relevant funding body. 5. Wait for approval: Processing time varies by program between 4 and 12 weeks. 6. Implement the project: Execute the planned measures within the funding period. 7. Submit proof of use: Document all expenses and submit the proof within the deadline.