Digitalbonus Bavaria: up to 50 percent for your software and AI.
Bavaria’s Digitalbonus funds small companies that introduce a digital solution. We provide the quote and the description of services so you can attach both to your application. You submit the application yourself.
Bavaria pays up to half.
grant through the Digitalbonus Bayern
The standard grant is up to 50 percent, at most 7,500 euros. For particularly innovative projects, for example with AI at their core, the Digitalbonus Plus pays up to 50 percent, at most 30,000 euros.
- Commercial businesses with premises in Bavaria, fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees, at most 10 million euros annual turnover or balance sheet total
- Standard from 4,000 euros of eligible costs, Plus from 15,000 euros
- Funding covers introducing a solution. A workshop or sprint on its own does not count.
- Apply first, order second. Even a verbal agreement counts as starting the project.
Worked example
- Possible grant
- €20,000
- Your share
- €20,000
Digitalbonus Plus: 50 percent, at most 30,000 euros, if the innovation is recognised. Otherwise the standard applies with at most 7,500 euros.
Worked example, not a commitment and not funding advice. You apply yourself through your ELSTER business account, and the district government decides. We provide the quote and the description of services for it.
What counts and what does not
Eligible
Services from external providers for the introduction: setup, customisation, programming, documentation and project support. Consulting and training for the solution up to half of the costs. Licence and service fees for at most 18 months.
Not eligible
Consulting or training without a solution being introduced, standard software and standard hardware such as PCs and servers, standard websites and online marketing, travel costs and your own staff.
What is eligible in our packages
AI workshop on its own
No. Training without introducing a solution does not count.
AI sprint on its own
No, as consulting without an introduction. As planning it may take place before the application.
Prototype
Probably yes, usually as Standard. It uses up the one application in its funding area. If a build is likely, we discuss whether to apply for both together.
Production build
Probably yes. Digitalbonus Plus is possible if the degree of innovation is recognised.
Local AI on your premises
Not the hardware, it counts as standard hardware. Whether the setup counts as part of a solution, we clarify with you before the application.
Operations
In part: service fees for at most 18 months within the approval period.
Our assessment, not a commitment. The district government decides.
The application in six steps
- You check whether your company meets the conditions and apply for an ELSTER business account if you do not have one yet.
- In the first call or sprint we clarify the solution. Only the planning is commissioned at this stage.
- You receive our quote with a description of services and a breakdown suitable for the application.
- You submit the application online to the district government responsible for where the project takes place. The monthly quota opens on the first working day at 10 am.
- Once the confirmation of receipt arrives, you accept our quote, at your own risk even before the decision.
- Implementation must be completed within 18 months of the decision. You then apply for payment with the paid invoices.
Questions about the Digitalbonus
Do you submit the application for us?
No. You submit it yourself through your ELSTER business account. We provide the quote, the description of services and, if you like, draft texts for the project details.
How long does approval take?
The funding body does not state a duration. Applications are processed in order of receipt. After the confirmation of receipt you may start at your own risk.
Is the Digitalbonus available to larger companies?
No, only to companies with fewer than 50 full-time equivalent employees. For larger companies we prepare an individual quote without funding.
How long does the programme run?
Under the current guideline until 31 December 2027.
Sources
- Digitalbonus funding guideline, as of November 2025 (German)
- Implementation notes, as of 1 May 2025 (German)
- Frequently asked questions about the Digitalbonus (German)
Retrieved on 22 October 2026. Not funding advice; the guideline and the district government are binding.
Let’s talk about your process.
A first call takes 30 minutes and costs nothing. Afterwards you know which step fits.
Request a first call