Digitalbonus Bayern: grants for digitalisation and IT security

Summary of the information published on digitalbonus.bayern (in German, opens in a new window) (in German), retrieved on 6 November 2026. No liability is accepted for this information – the funding guideline and the decision of the responsible district government (Bezirksregierung) are authoritative.

Current status of the programme

The programme is running; its term has been set until 31 December 2027. It is based on the funding guideline as amended from May 2025, and the funding period has been running since 1 July 2024. Robotics and artificial intelligence receive increased support.

Applications are accepted via a monthly quota. It opens at 10 a.m. on the first working day of each month. Once it is used up, applications can only be submitted again the following month.

Funding rates and maximum amounts

• At least €4,000 of eligible expenditure per measure
• One application per funding area (digitalisation, IT security) – so no more than two applications per business
• Standard and Plus cannot be combined for the same measure
• De minimis aid: together with other de minimis aid, no more than €300,000 within three years

Measures considered particularly innovative (Digitalbonus Plus) are above all artificial intelligence or intelligent data analysis, intelligent robotics, and modern simulation methods and digital twins. Simply buying licences for off-the-shelf software, or custom programming on its own, falls under the Digitalbonus Standard. If total expenditure does not exceed €15,000, an innovative project can also be submitted as Standard.

Who is eligible

Small businesses in trade and industry (a commercial enterprise within the meaning of section 2 of the German Trade Tax Act) with a site in Bavaria that use the measure there – with

• fewer than 50 employees and
• annual turnover or a balance sheet total of no more than €10 million (based on the most recent annual financial statements).

Excluded are, among others, the liberal professions, clinics, medical practices and similar institutions, agricultural, aquaculture and fishery businesses (with exceptions for processing and marketing), businesses exempt from trade tax (except inclusion businesses and non-profit limited companies), businesses with public shareholdings, state-owned enterprises and businesses in insolvency proceedings.

Which services are eligible

Funding area: digitalisation

Developing, introducing or improving products, services and processes – including through robotics, artificial intelligence, digital twins and simulation. Eligible expenditure covers ICT software, robot hardware, and consulting and training.

Funding area: IT security

Introducing or improving IT security processes. Eligible expenditure covers ICT software and ICT hardware, for example firewalls and components for data backup and network security.

In both areas

Services from external providers are funded, including the introduction of the solution – which also covers customisation and programming. Consulting and training on the introduced solution count towards up to 50% of the eligible expenditure. Licence costs and service fees are eligible for a maximum of 18 months, so the quotation should list them separately.

Not eligible (selection)

• Standard software such as office applications or operating systems
• ICT hardware in general (exceptions see above), devices, equipment and machinery
• Standard websites without deep functional integration into business processes, standard online shops, standard online marketing, and graphic and editorial services
• Consulting and training without implementation or without a link to the project
• The business’s own staff and in-house development capacity, administrative and travel costs, IT security and data protection officers
• Measures based on a legal obligation
• Measures that have already started, replacement purchases, hire purchase and leasing
• Measures already funded under other federal, state or EU programmes

Application process and deadlines

1. Prepare.

   Since May 2025, a valid ELSTER business account (the German tax authorities’ online portal) has been required for the application; decisions are also delivered exclusively to this account. The application must be submitted by the business itself – the ELSTER certificate may not be used by third parties. The application includes, among other things, the quotations from external service providers.

2. Apply – before placing any order.

   The online application is submitted via the district government (Bezirksregierung) responsible for the area where the measure is carried out – for businesses in Fürth and Nuremberg, this is Middle Franconia (Mittelfranken). Only measures that have not yet started are funded: a measure counts as started as soon as a legally binding order has been placed or a service provider has been commissioned, possibly even verbally. Applications are processed in the order in which they are received.

3. Start.

   Once the confirmation of receipt of the application has arrived by email, the project may begin – but at your own risk. If the decision is positive, the business receives a grant notice together with a de minimis certificate.

4. Implement.

   The approval period is no more than 18 months from the date of the grant notice; it can be extended in justified cases.

5. Request payment.

   As soon as the project has been fully implemented and all invoices have been paid, the payment request goes to the district government that issued the grant notice. For grants approved from 1 November 2025, a project notification is usually sufficient.

How we help

Talk to us – we will help you assess your project. Whether it is eligible is decided by the responsible district government.