BAFA consultant: what a consultant registered with BAFA is and how to find the right one

A BAFA consultant is a business consultant who is registered with the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA) for the federal program “Promotion of management consulting for SMEs”. Only if such a consultant carries out the consulting does the advised company receive the grant: 80 % of the consulting costs in the new federal states as well as the Lüneburg and Trier regions, 50 % in the rest of Germany, each up to a maximum of €3,500. Applications are possible until 31 December 2026.

What registration means – and what it does not

Registration is the prerequisite for any consulting to be eligible for funding at all. It means that the consultant meets the formal requirements of the program. It does not mean that they are the right fit for your specific topic. A consultant for succession planning is not automatically suitable to advise you on the use of AI – and vice versa.

• Yes: Without the consultant’s registration, there is no grant.
• Yes: The choice of the registered consultant is free – they do not have to come from your region.
• No: Registration does not replace checking experience and references.
• No: The funding rate does not depend on the consultant, but on the location of your business premises.

Who applies for the funding – the consultant or the company?

The applicant is always the company being advised. The application is submitted online via the BAFA application portal and addressed to one of the lead offices. A reputable consultant supports you in this process, but does not submit the application for you. Important: The consultation may only begin after the information letter from the lead office has been issued – even a consulting agreement signed beforehand already counts as the start and excludes funding.

How to find the right BAFA consultant

1. Clarify the topic: What should it be about – digitalization, AI, HR, finance, succession?
2. Ask about registration: Have it confirmed that the consultant is registered with BAFA for the program. BAFA does not maintain a public list of registered consultants; the program’s central offices and their regional contacts, such as the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Chamber of Crafts, can help with the search.
3. Check experience: References from your industry or on your topic, ideally with traceable results.
4. Check independence: Consultancies that aim to sell the consultant’s own products are not eligible for funding.
5. Discuss the process: How many consulting days, what results, who writes the report?
6. Clarify costs:Daily rate, report preparation, travel expenses – only the consulting itself is eligible for funding.

What a good BAFA consultant delivers

• a analysis of the initial situationwith your stakeholders
• the Identification of weaknesses and potential
• concrete, actionable recommendations
• a written consulting report, which both parties sign
• Support with the documents for the proof of use – see BAFA proof of use

What does a BAFA consultant cost?

Each consultant sets their own daily rates. Eligible consulting costs are up to €3,500 net per consultation, with a maximum of five consulting days. This results in:

• New federal states, Lüneburg, Trier: up to €2,800 grant, own contribution from €700
• Old federal states, Berlin, Leipzig region: up to €1,750 grant, own contribution from €1,750

If the consulting fee is below €3,500, funding is granted on a pro rata basis; the remainder is forfeited. A detailed calculation example is provided in BAFA funding: costs in the calculation example.

Who cannot hire a BAFA consultant

Some companies are not eligible to apply regardless of the consultant, including management consultancies, tax advisors, auditors, lawyers and notaries, non-profit organizations, and companies with public-sector ownership. For physicians, dentists, and psychotherapists, only consulting on quality management is funded. For many of these groups, INQA-Coaching is the alternative – with 80% nationwide, including for non-profit companies.

BAFA consultants for AI and digitalization

bettersorted is a BAFA-registered consultant with a focus on digitalization and AI, based in Schwerin, co-founder of the KI|werk MV network and also an authorized INQA coach. We provide consulting services nationwide, including in Hamburg or Schwerin. Experience from projects such as DRK Mecklenburg-Vorpommern or the Pumpenallianz Nord flow directly into the consulting process. How a subsidized AI consulting engagement works is shown by BAFA funding for AI consulting.

All details about the program are available on the page BAFA consulting funding; whether you are eligible to apply is shown by the Funding check.

Frequently asked questions

What is a BAFA consultant?

A business consultant who is registered with BAFA for the “Funding of management consulting for SMEs” program. Only consulting provided by registered consultants is subsidized.

How do I find a BAFA consultant?

First clarify your topic, then specifically ask about registration with BAFA, experience and references related to your topic, and the planned process. The choice is free and not tied to your region.

Does the BAFA consultant submit the application?

No. The applicant is always the company being advised. The consultant can provide support, but the application is submitted by the company via the BAFA platform.

Does the funding amount depend on the consultant?

No. The funding rate depends on the location of your business premises: 80% in the new federal states as well as the Lüneburg and Trier regions, 50% in the rest of Germany including Berlin and the Leipzig region.

By when can I commission a BAFA consultant with funding?

The application must be submitted by 31 December 2026. The consulting may still take place after that; the proof of use is due no later than six months after the information letter.

Status: October 2026. Only the version of the funding guideline currently in force is authoritative.