Every week I get the same question from executives and HR managers: is it true that AI training can come at no cost? The short answer is yes, if your company has available FUNDAE credit. The long answer is what you will find in this guide.
I have managed dozens of subsidy applications for AI courses and want to share the exact process, step by step, so you can plan your own training programme with zero net cost.
What subsidised training is and why it matters
Subsidised training is a mechanism that allows companies to recover part or all of the cost of employee training through deductions from Social Security contributions.
The Fundacion Estatal para la Formacion en el Empleo (FUNDAE) manages this system. Each company accumulates an annual training credit based on its headcount and the vocational training contributions it paid the previous year. That credit can be used for any type of training that meets certain requirements, including artificial intelligence training.
Why is this especially relevant now? Because the EU AI Act requires AI Literacy since February 2025. And FUNDAE offers a way to meet that obligation with no additional cost to the company.
Practical example: a 10-hour course at EUR 75 per learner is subsidised at EUR 7.50 per hour (e-learning rate). That is EUR 75 of subsidy per person. If your FUNDAE credit covers it, the net cost is EUR 0.
Requirements to access FUNDAE subsidies
Before going through the steps, check that your company meets the basic requirements:
- Have at least one employee on payroll contributing to vocational training. Also applies to self-employed individuals with staff.
- Be up to date with Social Security and tax payments.
- Have available training credit. Each company has an annual limit calculated automatically.
- Register the training action through the FUNDAE platform before it starts.
If your company meets these four points, you can subsidise AI training. Here are the steps.
Step 1: Calculate your training credit
Your annual credit depends on two factors: the number of employees and the amount of vocational training contributions your company paid in the previous year.
The general formula is:
Base credit: previous year's vocational training contribution times a percentage that varies by company size (between 50% and 100%). There is a guaranteed minimum credit of EUR 430 for companies with 1 to 5 employees, and EUR 650 for companies with 6 to 9.
To check your exact credit, access the Spanish Social Security Electronic Office with a digital certificate or Cl@ve. The credit appears in the subsidised training section.
Practical tip: if you do not have direct access, your accountant or labour adviser can check it in minutes. It is a quick process.
Step 2: Choose a qualifying course
For a course to be subsidisable, it must meet three conditions:
Recognised modality
In-person, e-learning or blended. Online courses (e-learning) are subsidised at EUR 7.50 per hour per learner. This is the most common modality for AI training.
Minimum duration
The training must have a minimum number of hours established by the scheme. Delbion's 10-hour courses meet this requirement.
Registered provider
The provider must be registered in the training entity registry. At Delbion we handle all FUNDAE documentation as part of the service, at no additional cost.
On our training page you will find all the AI courses we offer, all of which are FUNDAE-subsidisable.
Step 3: Register the training with FUNDAE
This step is the one most people worry about, but it is simpler than it looks. It involves registering the training in the FUNDAE platform before it starts.
The information required is:
- Course name
- Modality (e-learning)
- Duration in hours
- Planned start and end dates
- Participants (name, ID number, job category)
- Training centre and instructor
Registration is done through the FUNDAE application. The deadline is flexible: the usual minimum is 3 working days before the start of the course.
If you work with a provider like Delbion, we prepare and submit all this documentation.
Step 4: Complete the training and document attendance
Once registered, your team completes the training. For the subsidy to be approved, attendance and completion must be documented.
In e-learning format, the platform automatically records access, connection time and module completion. This makes documentation much easier.
Key points:
- Minimum attendance: at least 75% attendance is required for the action to be subsidisable.
- Completion deadline: training must be completed within the authorised period. At Delbion, the deadline is 45 days from the start of the course.
- Assessment: upon completion, each learner receives an achievement certificate.
It is worth planning training during a period when the team has genuine availability. A 10-hour course spread over 2 to 3 weeks tends to fit most schedules.
Step 5: Claim the subsidy on payroll
After completing training, the subsidy application is submitted through the Social Security Electronic Office. The subsidised amount is recovered through a deduction from Social Security contributions in subsequent months.
The process:
Submit the subsidy application
Done through the Social Security Electronic Office, in the subsidised training section. Include attendance documentation and training cost.
Wait for the decision
The Social Security Treasury reviews the documentation. If everything is in order, it approves the subsidy.
Recover the amount
The subsidised amount is deducted from Social Security contributions in subsequent months. Normally between 1 and 3 months after the application.
If the training provider manages the subsidy (as we do at Delbion), you only need to provide access credentials to the FUNDAE platform. We handle everything else.
Frequently asked questions about subsidised AI training
Can I subsidise an AI course at 100%?
Yes, as long as your FUNDAE credit covers the amount. The e-learning subsidy is EUR 7.50 per hour per learner. A 10-hour course at EUR 75 is fully covered if you have sufficient credit.
How long does it take to get the subsidy back?
Between 1 and 3 months after the application. The amount is deducted directly from Social Security contributions.
Can I train my whole team at once?
Yes. Each learner generates their own subsidy entitlement. If you have credit for 10 people, you can enrol 10. If the credit does not stretch to everyone, you can prioritise and train the rest in a second round.
What about courses that have already started?
FUNDAE registration must be done before training starts. A course already underway cannot be subsidised retroactively. Planning ahead is essential.
Are Delbion's AI courses subsidisable?
Yes. Our two main courses ("Secure AI Application in Business" and "AI Agents: Real Use Cases") are designed to meet all FUNDAE subsidy requirements. View programmes →
Subsidised AI courses starting this month
If you are thinking about training your team, these are the two programmes available now, both subsidisable with FUNDAE:
Secure AI Application in Business (10h)
For EU AI Act Article 4 compliance. Covers safe use, privacy, responsible prompts and the legal limits of AI in the workplace. Ideal for the whole organisation. View programme →
AI Agents in Business: Real Use Cases (10h)
For executives and middle managers. Concrete use cases in sales, operations, HR and finance. Designed for those who want tangible results with AI. View programme →
The subsidy may cover the full cost depending on your company's available credit. We handle all FUNDAE documentation at no extra charge.
You can see dates, prices and details on our training page.
Subsidisable AI training
Want to know if your company has FUNDAE credit available?
We help you verify your credits and design a training plan that makes the most of your subsidy entitlement. No commitment required.
View Subsidisable Courses →Your team needs secure AI training
The EU AI Act requires AI literacy for all staff from August 2026. Our courses cover compliance, AI agents and governance. FUNDAE can subsidise 100% of the cost.
