Website Funding
Government subsidies for your digital project - up to 80% of consulting costs covered.
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 (incl. Saxony): 80% of consulting costs, up to 2,800 EUR per phase. Exception: Leipzig and Berlin only 50%
Western Germany: 50% of consulting costs, up to 1,750 EUR per phase
Maximum eligible costs: 3,500 EUR per consulting phase. Small businesses without input-tax deduction may use the gross amount since November 2025
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 | 50%, max. 7,500 EUR (Plus: 30,000 EUR) | Runs until 2027; digitalization projects only, no standard websites |
| Baden-Württemberg | Digitalization Financing (L-Bank) | Subsidized loan only | Grant variant discontinued 30 June 2025, replaced by a funding loan |
| Nordrhein-Westfalen | MID Digitalization | Up to 50%, max. 15,000 EUR | Since 2026 only digital products with AI/key technologies, no standard websites |
| Sachsen | Digitalization Grant EFRE | Micro up to 60% (max. 10,000 EUR), otherwise 35-50% (up to 100,000 EUR) | Runs until 2027; project must exceed common standards |
| Schleswig-Holstein | Digitalization for Small Enterprises (DKU) | 40%, max. 20,000 EUR (consulting) / 200,000 EUR (implementation) | Small enterprises only (under 50 employees); runs until June 2027 |
| Thüringen | Digitalbonus Thuringia | Currently no applications possible | Funds exhausted since 2025; alternative: InnoInvest Thuringia |
| Brandenburg | BIG-Digital | Up to 50%, max. 50,000 EUR (consulting) / 250,000 EUR (implementation) | Runs until June 2027; consulting, implementation and training funded separately |
| Sachsen-Anhalt | DIGITAL INNOVATION | Up to 50%, max. 70,000 EUR | Competition rounds; currently between rounds, await the next call |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | Digitalization Funding MV | 50%, max. 50,000 EUR (from 30,000 EUR project volume) | No open funding call at present (as of 06/2026) |
| Saarland | DigitalInvest SME | Small: 50%, max. 12,500-20,000 EUR; medium: 30% | Runs until end of 2028 |
Bayern
Digitalbonus Bayern
50%, max. 7,500 EUR (Plus: 30,000 EUR)
Runs until 2027; digitalization projects only, no standard websites
Baden-Württemberg
Digitalization Financing (L-Bank)
Subsidized loan only
Grant variant discontinued 30 June 2025, replaced by a funding loan
Nordrhein-Westfalen
MID Digitalization
Up to 50%, max. 15,000 EUR
Since 2026 only digital products with AI/key technologies, no standard websites
Sachsen
Digitalization Grant EFRE
Micro up to 60% (max. 10,000 EUR), otherwise 35-50% (up to 100,000 EUR)
Runs until 2027; project must exceed common standards
Schleswig-Holstein
Digitalization for Small Enterprises (DKU)
40%, max. 20,000 EUR (consulting) / 200,000 EUR (implementation)
Small enterprises only (under 50 employees); runs until June 2027
Thüringen
Digitalbonus Thuringia
Currently no applications possible
Funds exhausted since 2025; alternative: InnoInvest Thuringia
Brandenburg
BIG-Digital
Up to 50%, max. 50,000 EUR (consulting) / 250,000 EUR (implementation)
Runs until June 2027; consulting, implementation and training funded separately
Sachsen-Anhalt
DIGITAL INNOVATION
Up to 50%, max. 70,000 EUR
Competition rounds; currently between rounds, await the next call
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Digitalization Funding MV
50%, max. 50,000 EUR (from 30,000 EUR project volume)
No open funding call at present (as of 06/2026)
Saarland
DigitalInvest SME
Small: 50%, max. 12,500-20,000 EUR; medium: 30%
Runs until end of 2028
Important: Standard websites are often not eligible - projects generally need to go beyond common industry standards, and the respective funding body decides what qualifies. Funding programs also change constantly: this overview (as of 14 June 2026) cannot always be fully up to date.
As of 14 June 2026. Funding programs change constantly - check the current status in the federal funding database (Förderdatenbank).
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.
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Planning a Web Project?
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