About EKF

EKF and export credits in 2 minutes

Read our quick guide to EKF and export credits for a better idea of what we can do for you. It only takes two minutes.

What is EKF?

The best security a company can get

EKF is Denmark’s official export credit agency.

We help Danish companies to make it possible and attractive for customers abroad to buy goods and services from Denmark. We do this by helping to get financing and insuring you and perhaps your bank against the potential financial and political risks of trading with other countries.

We are the only organisation in Denmark that offers cover for risks that banks and others are unable or unwilling to cover. We assist both small and large enterprises and provide solutions tailored to your company's specific requirements.

EKF was established in 1922 as just the third export credit agency in the world. Over the decades we have acquired unique insights into the challenges facing Danish companies when they do business and make investments in different parts of the world.

EKF is owned and guaranteed by the Danish state but is operated as a modern financial institution on commercial terms. With a guarantee from EKF you are backed by the Danish state and this makes a difference beyond Denmark's borders.
What is export credit?

A solution that helps your company along

An export credit guarantee is an insurance against the risks of doing business and investing in other countries.

With an export credit guarantee from EKF, your company and your bank are assured of getting paid, even if the buyer is unable or unwilling to pay and even if political conditions in a country suddenly prevent completion of your business transaction. If something goes wrong, EKF pays.

With EKF to take on the risk, you and your customers have far better prospects of securing financing for your mutual business undertaking on competitive terms. Competitive financing is a critical success factor in international trade. A guarantee from EKF may be what decides whether or not your company wins or retains an order abroad and can therefore help your company to boost sales and strengthen growth.

To sum up, an export credit guarantee can give you greater security, better financing and bigger sales.
How it works?

We help your company every step of the way

EKF can assist you from your initial contact with a buyer abroad to the conclusion of the export transaction and receipt of payment.

When you enter into negotiations with a foreign buyer regarding an export order, EKF helps to clarify your need for financing and protection against loss. EKF then assesses your or your foreign buyer's creditworthiness, depending on the party needing the financing, and we assess the political and economic situation in the buyer's country. EKF also satisfies itself ourselves that the transaction will be conducted in a socially and environmentally responsible manner and that it contributes to Danish export. If the overall risk is acceptable, EKF covers the risk.

Once EKF has issued a guarantee, the bank has security for your payments or your buyer's payments, and will be able to set up a financing agreement. The agreement tells you when the bank will pay you the money, for example, for an advance payment, as working capital or the full contract amount.

If all goes as planned, you or your foreign buyer repay the bank in instalments as agreed. If something goes wrong, EKF pays.
What does it cost?

Avert risk with a fixed premium

EKF’s advice is provided free of charge. A conditional offer from EKF is also free of charge and is valid for up to six months.

If you accept our offer, a premium will be charged. We calculate the premium based on the risk of the export transaction that you are carrying out. We assess the risk on the basis of factors such as the duration of the guarantee, the buyer's creditworthiness and the political conditions in the country you are exporting to.