The diocese was created in 745; it was a state in the Holy Roman Empire (the Prince-Bishopric of Eichstätt) starting in a Middle Ages until 1803.

The current bishop of Eichstätt is Dr. Gregor Maria Hanke, OSB; formerly the Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of Plankstetten, he was named to the See by Pope Benedict XVI on 14 October 2006, and he was consecrated at the Cathedral of Eichstätt on 2 December 2006.

The diocese covers an area of 6,025 km2, with 48.9% (as per 31 December 2006) of the population being Roman Catholic.

The diocese was erected by Saint Boniface in 745; it was subordinate to the archbishop of Mainz.

By the Bavarian Concordat of 1817, the diocese was reorganized and made subordinate to the archbishop of Bamberg.