The 2026 digitalisation grants offer Italian SMEs non-repayable contributions of up to €20,000 to adopt cloud, cybersecurity and digital marketing technologies. The MIMIT (Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy), the Chambers of Commerce and the Regions manage the main incentive schemes available this year. If you are a business owner, a C-level executive or a Digital Transformation Manager, this guide helps you find your way among the available measures, understand the requirements and submit your application before the deadline.
Why is 2026 the decisive year for the digitalisation of Italian businesses?
2026 marks the final phase of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). It is the last real window to access the resources earmarked for the digital transformation of SMEs. Companies that do not apply by the deadlines risk missing funding opportunities that are unlikely to come around again in the short term.
What are the main digitalisation grants available in 2026?
The landscape of 2026 digitalisation incentives is structured on three levels (national, regional and Chamber of Commerce), with different funding bodies, ceilings and eligible expenses. Identifying the right measure for your company profile is the first step to avoid wasting precious time and resources.
MIMIT Digitalisation Voucher
The MIMIT provides non-repayable vouchers for the purchase of digital services (cloud computing and cybersecurity) from accredited suppliers. The contribution covers 50% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of €20,000 per company.
Fundable technologies and services:
- SaaS, IaaS and PaaS subscriptions (cloud computing)
- Certified cybersecurity solutions compliant with NIS2 and GDPR
2026 Super Depreciation
Thesuper depreciation is a tax incentive that allows companies to deduct, in the form of increased depreciation allowances, a cost base higher than the actual amount spent on purchasing new capital goods, with rates reaching up to 180% for investments up to €2.5 million, 100% between €2.5 and €10 million and 50% between €10 and €20 million. It is available to all business income earners (companies, sole proprietorships and cooperatives), regardless of legal form, sector or size, that make investments in tangible and intangible assets intended for production facilities in Italy. The incentive applies in particular to machinery, automated and interconnected systems, as well as advanced software and digital solutions (MES, IoT systems, analytics platforms, automation tools) that support the technological and digital transformation of production processes.
Regional and Chamber of Commerce grants
Each Chamber of Commerce and Region can activate incentive schemes that complement the national ones. The Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Lazio Regions have already allocated various subsidised finance measures for businesses for 2026, with ceilings often between €5,000 and €50,000 and coverage rates that in many cases reach 70% of eligible expenses.
Comparison table: the main digitalisation incentive measures for 2026
| Measure | Funding body | Maximum contribution | Coverage | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digitalisation Voucher | MIMIT | €20,000 | 50% | SMEs |
| Super depreciation 2026-28 | MEF / GSE | Variable | up to 180% | All companies |
| Chamber of Commerce grants | CCIAA | €5,000–50,000 | up to 70% | SMEs and self-employed professionals |
| POR FESR regional grants | Regions | Up to €50,000 | up to 70% | SMEs, start-ups, cooperatives |
Transition 5.0: where digital meets energy sustainability
The Transition 5.0 plan extends Industry 4.0 by introducing an energy saving requirement. Companies that invest in artificial intelligence, IoT and advanced automation, and cut consumption by at least 3%, get a tax credit of up to 45% on the expenses incurred.
Deloitte estimates that organisations combining digitalisation and operational sustainability cut operating costs by 18–25% in the first 36 months. For a C-level executive focused on sustainable growth, Transition 5.0 is among the most effective levers available in 2026.
Which expenses are eligible for the 2026 digitalisation contributions?
| Expense category | Examples | Grants | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| SaaS / Cloud software | ERP, CRM, management software, collaboration | MIMIT Voucher + Super depreciation | ✅ Eligible |
| Cybersecurity | Firewall, EDR, cloud backup, SIEM | MIMIT Voucher | ✅ Eligible |
| Digital marketing | E-commerce, SEO, advertising, analytics | — | ❌ Not eligible |
| Specialist consulting | Digital Transformation Manager, CTO as a service | MIMIT Voucher | ✅ Eligible |
| Training 4.0 / 5.0 | Certified courses, digital academies, e-learning | — | ❌ Not eligible |
| Generic hardware | PCs, printers, monitors not connected to 4.0 systems | — | ❌ Not eligible |
| Ordinary operating expenses | Utility bills, rent, salaries | — | ❌ Not eligible |
How to access the grants: the step-by-step process
The process for accessing business digitalisation funding follows standardised phases, with specific variations for each measure. Knowing the correct sequence reduces the risk of rejection and speeds up obtaining the contribution.
Phase 1 — Check the eligibility requirements
Check your company size (micro, small, medium), eligible ATECO code and the absence of tax debts or pending legal proceedings. This step determines which incentive schemes are available for your company’s profile.
Phase 2 — Select an accredited supplier
For MIMIT grants, services must be purchased exclusively from suppliers on the official ACN/MIMIT lists. Relying on a non-accredited partner compromises the eligibility of the expense and may lead to the revocation of a contribution already awarded.
Phase 3 — Prepare the investment plan
The quote must be formal, correctly addressed to the company and accompanied by a detailed spending plan by type of digital service. An incomplete document is one of the most common reasons for an application being rejected.
Phase 4 — Submit the application on the dedicated portal
Log in with SPID, CIE or CNS to the MIMIT portal, the Chamber of Commerce platform or the relevant regional system. Applications are accepted in chronological order: on a click day, the available resources can run out within a few hours.
Phase 5 — Reporting and payment of the balance
After approval, make the planned expenditure, keep the electronic invoices and submit the expense report within the deadlines set by the grant. Missing or late reporting results in the automatic revocation of the voucher awarded.
What are the most common mistakes that lead to an application being rejected?
Knowing the reasons for rejection is as important as knowing the eligibility requirements. These are the most common mistakes in applications for digital transformation incentives:
- Quotes not correctly addressed or lacking sufficient technical detail
- Purchasing services before the formal approval of the application
- ATECO codes not covered by the specific grant chosen
- Using suppliers not on the official MIMIT or ACN lists
- Lack of a digital signature, SPID or CIE on the click day
- Late or incomplete reporting after the contribution has been awarded
FAQ — Frequently asked questions about the 2026 digitalisation grants Who can apply for the incentives?
Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and self-employed professionals with an active registered office in Italy and duly entered in the relevant registers. Large companies and businesses in financial difficulty under EU state aid rules are excluded.
How much is the contribution?
It generally covers 50% of eligible expenses. For the Cloud and Cybersecurity Voucher, the maximum is €20,000 in non-repayable funding per company. Some regional grants provide coverage of up to 70% for micro-enterprises.
Which expenses are included?
SaaS (cloud) software subscriptions, cybersecurity systems and specialist consulting. All expenses must be documented with electronic invoices addressed to the applicant company.
Can you buy from any supplier?
No. For many national grants, such as those managed by MIMIT, services must be purchased exclusively from suppliers accredited on the official lists. Always check accreditation before signing any contract or quote with the chosen supplier.
What are the minimum technical requirements?
An internet connection of at least 30 Mbps is often required, along with digital identity tools (SPID, CIE or CNS) to submit the application online and digitally sign all the attachments required by the grant.
Does the contribution have to be repaid?
No. Since these are non-repayable contributions (vouchers), the amount paid out does not have to be returned, provided the project terms are respected and the expense report is completed correctly within the stated deadlines.
How do you apply?
Exclusively online through the dedicated portals (MIMIT, Region or Chamber of Commerce), digitally signing the required documents with SPID, CIE or CNS. Paper applications and PEC submissions not expressly provided for by the individual grant are not accepted.
Azzurro Digitale: the accredited partner for your subsidised digital investments
Azzurro Digitale supports business owners, C-level executives and Digital Transformation Managers at every stage: from selecting the most suitable grant, to drafting the investment plan, through to final reporting.
Contact us for a free consultation and find out which business digitalisation incentives you can apply for in 2026 before the resources run out.