The Digital Kit for Freelancers: a great opportunity (with pitfalls to avoid)
The Digital Kit is an initiative of the Government of Spain, funded by the European Next Generation EU funds, designed to help self-employed professionals and SMEs digitalise their businesses. With grants of up to 2,000 euros for self-employed workers, it is a real opportunity to make the digital leap without requiring a major financial outlay.
However, not everything that glitters is gold. In recent months, unethical companies have multiplied, taking advantage of the lack of knowledge of many professionals. Here we explain how the Digital Kit works and what you should watch out for to avoid being misled.
What does the Digital Kit include for self-employed professionals?
Self-employed workers can access solutions such as:
- Website or online store creation
- Social media management
- Online presence and SEO positioning
- Electronic invoicing
- Cybersecurity
The grant covers up to 2,000 euros, and it is the digitalisation agent (the company providing the service) who manages the voucher and is paid directly by the public administration. This means that you, as a self-employed professional, do not have to advance the money.
Where is the problem? The most common scams
Driven by these subsidies, fake professionals or opportunistic agencies have appeared that:
- Inflate the prices of basic services to absorb the entire voucher, delivering poor or generic results.
- Offer websites based on basic templates with no real customisation or effective SEO.
- Charge non-subsidised “extras” to the client, even though the grant should cover 100% of what is offered.
- Make you sign long-term contracts or hidden clauses with abusive conditions.
- In more serious cases, pose as official agents without being authorised.
How to avoid fraud
If you are considering applying for the Digital Kit, here are some tips:
- Check that the company is listed in the official catalogue of digitalisation agents: https://www.acelerapyme.gob.es
- Ask for a detailed quote with no fine print before signing anything.
- Be wary of anyone promising “everything for free and with no effort”.
- Make sure the service is tailored to your business and not a simple copy-paste solution.
- Check reviews and previous experience of the provider.
In summary
The Digital Kit can be a very useful tool to improve your online presence, attract clients and optimise your business. But like any public aid, it has also attracted those looking to take advantage of others.
Take your time, compare options, and choose trusted professionals. Your business deserves real digitalisation, not a quick fix that disappears after six months.