# Spree Solutions

> A guide for small businesses in Berlin: digitalisation grants, websites and online shops, process automation, IT security and finding the right providers.

- [Digitalisation Grants Berlin: What Is Still Open in 2026](https://spreesolutions.de/en/funding/digitalisation-grants-berlin/): Berlin no longer has a general grant for small-business digitalisation. The Digitalprämie and the Berliner InvestitionsBONUS have both closed. What remains in October 2026 is the Transfer BONUS for tech-oriented SMEs, the GründungsBONUS Plus for young companies, a 50 percent federal consulting subsidy, and loans from IBB and KfW.
- [Digitalpraemie Berlin: Closed Since 2023, What Replaced It](https://spreesolutions.de/en/funding/digitalpraemie-berlin-ended/): The Digitalprämie Berlin no longer exists. According to IBB, applications were accepted until 31 December 2023 at the latest, and no grants can be applied for now. Its suggested successor, the Berliner InvestitionsBONUS, has closed too. In 2026 the realistic options are BAFA consulting support, the Transfer BONUS for tech projects and KfW loans.
- [BAFA Consulting Grant: How It Works for Berlin Firms](https://spreesolutions.de/en/funding/bafa-consulting-grant/): The BAFA consulting grant, officially called Förderung von Unternehmensberatungen für KMU, pays Berlin businesses 50 percent of a consultant's net fee, calculated on at most 3,500 euros. That makes the maximum grant 1,750 euros. The 80 percent rate applies only in eastern states excluding Berlin. The current scheme ends on 31 December 2026.
- [Free Business Advice in Berlin: Who Helps with Digital](https://spreesolutions.de/en/funding/free-business-advice-berlin/): In 2026, free advice on digital projects in Berlin comes mainly from the state-funded Digitalagentur Berlin, the innovation and technology advisers at the Handwerkskammer, the IHK Berlin and IBB's customer service for funding questions. The federally funded Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Berlin stopped its work on 30 September 2026.
- [Small Business Website Cost in Germany: A Worked Example](https://spreesolutions.de/en/website-and-shop/small-business-website-cost/): As a rough estimate, a simple five-to-eight page business website takes 25 to 40 hours of work. At the average freelance rate of 103 euros an hour in German-speaking countries reported in the Freelancer-Kompass 2026, that is about 2,600 to 4,100 euros net. Hosting adds roughly 6 to 16 euros a month, maintenance extra.
- [Online Booking System for a Small Business: Costs and GDPR](https://spreesolutions.de/en/website-and-shop/online-booking-system/): For a small business, an online booking system usually costs between zero and 60 euros a month. SimplyBook.me, for example, offers 50 bookings a month free and 500 bookings for 29.90 euros on monthly billing. In Germany you also need a GDPR data processing agreement with the provider and clear cancellation terms that customers accept when booking.
- [Google Business Profile Setup: Rules That Trip Up Founders](https://spreesolutions.de/en/website-and-shop/google-business-profile-setup/): Set up a Google Business Profile for free at business.google.com: use the name on your sign, a real address or a service area, one precise category, opening hours and a phone number. Google then verifies by phone, email, live video call or postcard. Virtual offices are not allowed, and coworking spaces only qualify with signage and staff on site.
- [Start an Online Shop in Germany: Legal Checklist for 2026](https://spreesolutions.de/en/website-and-shop/online-shop-germany/): You can launch a small online shop in Germany within days on Shopify, WooCommerce or a marketplace. Legally you need an Impressum, a privacy policy, withdrawal information, an order button labelled along the lines of zahlungspflichtig bestellen, an electronic withdrawal function since June 2026, and LUCID packaging registration before your first parcel goes out.
- [POS System in Germany: TSE Rules for Cafés and Shops](https://spreesolutions.de/en/operations/pos-system-germany-tse/): Germany has no general duty to use a till, and a manual cash box is legal. An electronic POS system, however, needs a BSI-certified technical security device (TSE), must issue receipts and has to be registered with the tax office via ELSTER within one month of purchase. Breaches can be fined up to 25,000 euros.
- [E-Invoicing in Germany for Small Businesses: 2027 and 2028](https://spreesolutions.de/en/operations/e-invoicing-germany/): Since 1 January 2025 every business in Germany must be able to receive e-invoices from other businesses, including small businesses under the Kleinunternehmer scheme. Issuing them becomes mandatory in 2027 for companies with more than 800,000 euros prior-year turnover and in 2028 for everyone else. Kleinunternehmer, invoices up to 250 euros and consumer invoices are exempt.
- [Cyber Security for a Small Business in Germany: The Basics](https://spreesolutions.de/en/operations/cyber-security-small-business/): A handful of measures give a small business most of its protection: two-factor login for email and banking, automatic updates, an offline backup that has been tested, separate admin accounts and a printed emergency sheet. Most small firms are not directly covered by Germany's NIS2 rules. The CyberRisikoCheck under DIN SPEC 27076 is a structured starting point.
- [Bookkeeping Software in Germany: A Guide for Small Firms](https://spreesolutions.de/en/operations/bookkeeping-germany-small-business/): German bookkeeping software for small businesses connects your bank account, captures receipts by phone, matches payments and hands data to ELSTER or your tax adviser. Regular prices for common tools run from about 8 to 35 euros net a month, according to the vendors. Since 2025, receipts must be kept for eight years and books for ten.

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