Website Funding in Germany
Government subsidies for digitalization projects – find out which programs exist and how they work
These funding programs are available for businesses registered in Germany.
The information provided here is based on publicly available sources and is reviewed regularly. However, funding programs may change at short notice – amounts, conditions and availability may differ at the time of your inquiry. For binding information, please contact the respective funding body directly.
BAFA Funding (Nationwide)
The Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) offers subsidies for business consulting – including digital strategy and website concepts. The program is active until December 31, 2026.
Who Can Apply?
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with up to 250 employees and a registered business in Germany. Freelancers and sole proprietors are also eligible. Excluded: consulting firms, tax advisors, lawyers, notaries, auditors and insolvent businesses.
How Much Is Covered?
Eastern Germany: 80% of consulting costs, up to 2,800 EUR per phase
Western Germany: 50% of consulting costs, up to 1,750 EUR per phase
Maximum eligible costs: 3,500 EUR per consulting phase
Up to 2 consultations per year, 5 total (until end of 2026)
What Is Funded?
Funded (consulting only):
Digital strategy and concept development
Website concept and information architecture
UX/UI consulting
SEO strategy consulting
GDPR and data protection consulting
Online marketing strategy
Not funded:
Actual website development/programming
Ongoing SEO optimization
Running ad campaigns
Hardware and software purchases
How It Works
Register with BAFA online (before consulting begins)
Consulting is carried out by a registered BAFA consultant
You pay the full invoice upfront
Submit proof of use to BAFA (within 6 months)
BAFA reimburses the subsidy to you retroactively
Consulting must not begin before BAFA registration is complete. Starting early disqualifies the subsidy entirely.
State Funding Programs
Unlike BAFA (consulting only), many state programs also fund technical implementation by external service providers. Requirements vary by program.
| State | Program | Subsidy | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayern | Digitalbonus Bayern | Up to 50%, max. 7,500 EUR | Innovative projects only (AI, robotics etc.), no standard websites |
| Baden-Württemberg | Digitalization Premium Plus | Grant: max. 3,000 EUR or loan up to 100,000 EUR | Choice of small grant or subsidized loan via L-Bank |
| Nordrhein-Westfalen | MID Vouchers | Up to 50%, max. 15,000 EUR | For SMEs up to 500 employees, covers consulting and implementation |
| Sachsen | Digitalization Grant EFRE | Up to 50–60%, max. 60,000–100,000 EUR | Amount varies by company size, project must exceed common standards |
| Schleswig-Holstein | Digitalization Measures (LPW) | Up to 40%, max. eligible costs 200,000 EUR | Small enterprises only (under 50 employees), project must support climate goals |
| Thüringen | Digitalbonus Thuringia | Up to 50%, max. 15,000 EUR | Freelancers and sole proprietors also eligible |
| Brandenburg | Innovation Voucher (BIG-Digital) | Up to 50%, max. 50,000 EUR | Consulting, implementation and staff training funded separately |
| Sachsen-Anhalt | DIGITAL INNOVATION | Up to 50%, max. 70,000 EUR | For SMEs in Saxony-Anhalt, external service providers eligible |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | Digitalization Funding MV | 50%, max. 50,000 EUR | Only for projects with min. 15,000 EUR total volume |
| Saarland | DigitalInvest SME | Up to 50%, max. 12,500 EUR | For SMEs in Saarland, relatively fast processing |
Bayern
Digitalbonus Bayern
Up to 50%, max. 7,500 EUR
Innovative projects only (AI, robotics etc.), no standard websites
Baden-Württemberg
Digitalization Premium Plus
Grant: max. 3,000 EUR or loan up to 100,000 EUR
Choice of small grant or subsidized loan via L-Bank
Nordrhein-Westfalen
MID Vouchers
Up to 50%, max. 15,000 EUR
For SMEs up to 500 employees, covers consulting and implementation
Sachsen
Digitalization Grant EFRE
Up to 50–60%, max. 60,000–100,000 EUR
Amount varies by company size, project must exceed common standards
Schleswig-Holstein
Digitalization Measures (LPW)
Up to 40%, max. eligible costs 200,000 EUR
Small enterprises only (under 50 employees), project must support climate goals
Thüringen
Digitalbonus Thuringia
Up to 50%, max. 15,000 EUR
Freelancers and sole proprietors also eligible
Brandenburg
Innovation Voucher (BIG-Digital)
Up to 50%, max. 50,000 EUR
Consulting, implementation and staff training funded separately
Sachsen-Anhalt
DIGITAL INNOVATION
Up to 50%, max. 70,000 EUR
For SMEs in Saxony-Anhalt, external service providers eligible
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Digitalization Funding MV
50%, max. 50,000 EUR
Only for projects with min. 15,000 EUR total volume
Saarland
DigitalInvest SME
Up to 50%, max. 12,500 EUR
For SMEs in Saarland, relatively fast processing
Many state programs also fund implementation by external service providers. Important: Standard websites are often not eligible. Projects generally need to go beyond common industry standards. What exactly qualifies varies by program and is decided by the respective funding body.
Sources: Digitalbonus Bayern - Funding Program, Förderdatenbank - EFRE Digitalization Saxony
Cost Example: Website Project in Saxony
Here's how funding can work in practice – using Eastern Germany (80% BAFA rate) as an example.
Consulting phase (BAFA-funded)
Digital strategy, website concept, UX consulting, SEO strategy, GDPR consulting
Implementation phase (separate)
The actual website development is invoiced separately. Depending on your state, additional state funding programs may cover part of these costs as well.
The actual funding amount depends on your state, business size and project scope. This is an illustrative example, not a guarantee.
How This Fits Into Your Project
My job is building your website or web application. This page exists so you can independently explore whether government funding could reduce your project costs. I am not a funding consultant – but I know how projects are structured.
Awareness
Many clients don't know that funding programs exist. This page gives you a starting point to research options for your region.
Clean project structure
If you pursue funding, consulting and implementation need to be clearly separated. I build web projects that way by default – with a structured concept phase followed by development.
Transparent and honest
BAFA consulting subsidies require a registered BAFA consultant. The application is submitted by you directly. Standard websites are not eligible under many state programs. Whether your specific project qualifies is always decided by the respective funding body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can any business apply for funding?
SMEs with up to 250 employees and a registered business in Germany are eligible. Excluded are consulting firms, tax advisors, lawyers, notaries and auditors.
Do I have to pre-finance the costs?
Yes, with BAFA you pay the full invoice first. The subsidy is reimbursed retroactively after all documents are submitted.
Can I combine multiple funding programs?
In many cases, yes. BAFA funding (for consulting) and state programs (for implementation) can often be combined.
What exactly is funded?
BAFA covers only consulting and concept work. Many state programs also fund the technical implementation, including website development, software and digital tools.
How long does the application process take?
BAFA registration takes about 15 minutes online. Processing times vary by program. Important: consulting must not begin before registration is complete.
Planning a Web Project?
Let's talk about your project – in a free, no-obligation consultation. If funding programs are an option, I'll make sure the project is structured accordingly.
Free Consultation