Digitalisation grant scheme
Digitalise Your SME
Digitalisation grant scheme Digitalise Your SME
Purpose of the scheme
Through the Digitalise Your SME scheme, Malta offers small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) a unique opportunity to shape their digital future. Whether through optimising business processes, developing innovative products, or introducing new digital services, this programme provides targeted financial support to help enterprises successfully navigate the challenges of digital transformation.
By investing in digital solutions, participating businesses strengthen their efficiency, resilience, and long-term competitiveness — ensuring they are well-prepared for the evolving digital economy.
Who can apply?
You can benefit if you:
- are a micro, small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) legally established and operating in Malta or Gozo
- intend to invest in digital technologies to enhance your operations, products or services
- are part of a business network, cluster, or partnership working together to develop and implement innovative digital solutions
- are committed to strengthening your enterprise’s efficiency, competitiveness, and resilience through digital transformation
Not eligible for funding:
- enterprises that are insolvent, subject to bankruptcy or collective insolvency proceedings, or that fulfil the criteria for such proceedings under national law
- projects that do not demonstrate a clear, measurable or innovative digital improvement to the enterprise’s operations, products, or services
- investments that merely replace existing systems without introducing new digital functionality or value-added innovation
- applicants who have already received public funding for the same or similar project activities
What is funded?
We support your innovation:
- adopting cutting-edge digital technologies, including automation, artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and cloud computing
- developing customised software solutions that optimise business operations and improve efficiency
- digitalising production processes, marketing strategies, and sales channels to strengthen your market reach and customer engagement
- enhancing IT and cybersecurity infrastructures to safeguard your enterprise and ensure business continuity
- integrating digital tools that drive smarter decision-making, productivity, and sustainable growt
Excluded from funding:
- standard IT equipment, such as basic desktop computers, laptops, tablets, or smartphones, without a clear innovative or digital transformation component
- projects that do not contribute directly to the enterprise’s digital advancement or that fail to introduce measurable improvements in efficiency, productivity, or innovation
- replacement purchases that do not enhance existing systems or processes through new digital functionality
- activities unrelated to the enterprise’s digitalisation objectives or that lack technological or operational relevance
Funding rates and key benefits
Your benefits at a glance:
• funding rate: up to 50% of eligible project costs for investments carried out in Malta, and up to 60% for investments implemented in Gozo
• for start-ups: start-up enterprises may benefit from a higher aid intensity — up to 60% in Malta and 70% in Gozo
• top-up bonus: projects that include cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), big data analysis, cloud computing, or quantum technology may receive an additional 10% top-up, funded by the malta digital innovation authority (MDIA)
• maximum grant: up to € 128.400 per project, including a 7% flat rate to cover indirect costs
• minimum project size: The minimum eligible investment is € 10.000 (total project value)
Eligibility requirements:
• the project must demonstrate a strong innovative and digital transformation component
• the investment must be implemented in Malta or Gozo by a registered SME
• the application must be submitted before the project starts — activities begun earlier are not eligible
Frequently asked
questions – digitalisation
Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are legally established and operating in Malta or Gozo may apply. Eligible applicants include limited liability companies, partnerships, co-operatives and self-employed persons.
The scheme funds projects that introduce digital tools and technologies to improve efficiency, productivity or customer experience — such as software development, automation, AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity solutions.
Enterprises can receive up to 50 % of eligible costs in Malta and 60 % in Gozo. Start-ups may receive up to 70 %. The maximum grant per project is
€ 128.400, including a 7 % flat rate for indirect costs.
Applications must be submitted before starting the project. Any expenses or contracts signed prior to the grant agreement are not eligible.
Standard IT equipment such as basic PCs or smartphones without an innovative purpose, as well as projects that do not clearly contribute to digital transformation.
Funded investments must stay in operation for at least three years after completion.
Funding for Digitalisation Projects in Malta
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malta and Gozo that wish to digitalise their operations or embark on their first digital transformation projects can benefit from dedicated non-repayable grants under the Digitalise Your SME scheme. This funding is designed to help businesses move from traditional or partially digital processes to a higher level of digital maturity. The scheme does not simply fund the purchase of generic software or hardware — instead, it supports strategic digital projects that integrate these tools in a way that directly enhances business performance.
Eligible investments include:
• software solutions and applications that optimise internal processes, resource management, and customer interaction
• project-specific hardware, such as servers, sensors, or automation components, that are essential for implementing the digital transformation initiative
• integrated systems combining both hardware and software to improve productivity, data management, and operational efficiency
The Digitalise Your SME scheme provides non-repayable grants to help you implement these technologies and achieve measurable improvements in competitiveness, innovation, and resilience. If your business is planning to digitalise its workflows, enhance online services, or adopt new digital tools for the first time, this programme can provide the financial support and guidance needed to make it happen.
How we work
The simple process for identifying the ideal grant
Simplified steps to easily find and use your optimal subsidy plan.
Potential analysis
Potential analysis serves to identify the strengths and development opportunities of your company in order to make the most of funding opportunities.
Consulting
During the consultation phase, we work with you to develop a customized strategy based on the results of the potential analysis and precisely define your funding goals.
Implementation
We will accompany you step by step through the process of preparing the necessary documents for submitting your application to implement the funded projects.