January 6
BSI Portal for NIS2 Reporting Launches
The official BSI reporting portal goes live. Companies can register and report security incidents.
BSI Info →Calendar 2026: AI, Digitalization & Cybersecurity
All important deadlines and dates for freelancers, small businesses and SMEs at a glance. From EU AI Act to NIS2 to funding programs.
Regulation
Funding
Important Deadline
Q1 2026 January – March
March 6
Deadline: NIS2 Registration with BSI
Affected companies must register with BSI by this date. No transition period!
Warning: Fines up to €10M for violations. Managing directors are personally liable.
What to do? →
Q2 2026 April – June
June
BMWK "Digital Technologies Development" – Final Application Phase
Funding for AI, cybersecurity, blockchain and 5G/6G projects. SMEs receive up to 50% cost reimbursement plus SME bonus.
Learn more →Q3 2026 July – September
August 2
EU AI Act: Full Application for High-Risk AI
High-risk AI systems (HR selection, credit scoring, medical diagnostics, educational assessment) must meet all requirements.
Timeline →August 2
EU AI Act: AI Sandboxes in All Member States
Each EU state must establish at least one regulatory sandbox. Startups and SMEs can test AI solutions under supervision.
Details →September 11
Cyber Resilience Act: Vulnerability Reporting Obligation
Manufacturers of products with digital elements must report actively exploited vulnerabilities to ENISA and BSI within 24 hours.
Applies to legacy products: All products still on the market, regardless of release year.
Fraunhofer Info →
September 12
Data Act: "Access by Design" for New Products
All new connected products and services must be designed so that usage data is directly and automatically available.
SME exemption: Micro and small enterprises are exempt from many obligations.
DIHK Info →
Q4 2026 October – December
December 31
BAFA SME Consulting Funding Ends
Last chance for 50–80% subsidy (max. €2,800) for external consulting on digitalization, AI, organization or sustainability.
Tip: Max. 2 consultations per year, 5 total in the funding period.
BAFA Funding →
December 31
Mittelstand-Digital Program Ends
Free digitalization support through Mittelstand-Digital centers expires.
Digital Center Berlin →Outlook 2027
Jan 12, 2027
Data Act: No Cloud Switching Fees
Cloud providers may no longer charge switching fees.
Aug 2, 2027
EU AI Act: Applies to ALL
Legacy systems (pre-Aug 2025) must also be compliant.
Sep 12, 2027
Data Act: Legacy Contracts
Fairness rules apply to older B2B contracts too.
Dec 11, 2027
CRA: Full Application
All products with digital elements must be CRA-compliant.
Ongoing Funding Programs 2026
BAFA Business Consulting
50–80% SubsidyExternal consulting on digitalization, AI, organization. Max. €2,800 per project phase.
KfW Digitalization Loan
Up to €25MLoans for digital technologies, AI, cloud, IT security. 70% liability exemption for small businesses.
Mittelstand-Digital
FreeFree consulting, workshops and digitalization support through regional centers.
Unsure if your company is affected?
The AI Check Report analyzes your AI usage and shows which regulations are relevant to you.
To AI Check →