Current notice (as of 15 May 2020): The consulting cost subsidy is no longer being granted!
Due to the unexpectedly high volume of applications and increasingly reported susceptibility to fraud, the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) has also instructed the DIHK coordinating office to cease issuing the preliminary approval notices required to commission and later invoice consulting services, until further notice. Where the conditions are met, applicants may switch to the regular programme module.
UNTIL THEN, THE FOLLOWING APPLIED:
Up to EUR 4,000 in subsidies for consulting costs (no co-payment required)
We would like to specifically draw your attention to the subsidy options available to SMEs and freelancers affected by Corona for business management consulting.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) has recently expanded the existing framework directive on the promotion of entrepreneurial know-how by adding a corresponding module as part of an emergency programme.
Important:
Business management consulting provided by Steuerberater (German Certified Tax Advisor) is also eligible for funding.
As an affected business, you may receive a:
Subsidy of 100%, but capped at EUR 4,000, of the invoiced consulting costs. The subsidy is paid directly to the consultant's account.
Links to the BAFA application form and further information on this topic can be found here:
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Is the BAFA Corona consulting cost subsidy still being granted?
No, the special Corona consulting cost subsidy was suspended as of 15 May 2020. BAFA has instructed the DIHK coordination office to stop issuing the preliminary approval statements required for engagement and billing. The reasons were the unexpectedly high volume of applications and increased susceptibility to fraud.
Are there alternatives for subsidized business consulting despite the suspension of the Corona module?
Yes, you can fall back on the regular funding program for promoting entrepreneurial know-how, provided the general requirements are met. This regular module continues to exist independently of the special Corona program and is administered through the BAFA.
How high was the Corona consulting subsidy and who was eligible to apply?
SMEs and freelancers affected by the Corona crisis were able to receive a subsidy covering 100% of the invoiced consulting costs, capped at EUR 4,000, with no own contribution required. The subsidy was paid directly into the consultant's account.
Was business consulting provided by Steuerberater eligible for funding?
Yes. Under the Corona module of the framework guideline promoting entrepreneurial know-how, business consulting provided by Steuerberatern (German Certified Tax Advisors) was explicitly eligible for funding. The prerequisite was that the company had been affected by the Corona pandemic.
On what legal basis was the Corona Emergency Program for consulting costs established?
The BMWi (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy) had supplemented its existing framework directive on the promotion of entrepreneurial know-how with a Corona module, thereby creating an emergency program. Implementation was handled by the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) with support from the DIHK coordination office.