
Extended state support for short-term business
The European Commission decided to widen the scope for state export credit guarantees to include export business on short payment terms (up to 24 months) with EU and selected OECD member states. The Federal Government pressed for the exemption from the Short-term Export-credit Insurance Communication now published as part of its protective shield for the economy and implements it with immediate effect in favour of the German export industry.
The exemption applies to all 27 EU member states as well as Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the USA, the United Kingdom and their affiliated territories and, for the time being, is limited until 31.12.2021.
Please find information on your options to protect your export business, the application procedures and contacts at Euler Hermes on this page.
Does your transaction qualify for cover?
Hermes Cover helps in particular small and medium-sized companies to protect themselves against the risks involved in an export transaction.
You as exporter can inquire with the Federal Government about the possibility of cover already before signing an export contract. Such a non-binding, preliminary inquiry (DE) can be submitted online and is free of charge.
Get personal advice on the suitable products

Cover facilities for these countries expanded
As of now, export transactions on short payment terms (up to 24 months) in the countries named below and their affiliated territories can be covered with state export credit guarantees.
Please consult the individual country pages about information on the cover policy in respect of conditions that must be met and any collateral that may be required in short-term business.
Where the country risk classification is lower than 1 (currently Bulgaria, Greece, Croatia, Latvia, Romania, Hungary) a lower buyer category may be applied to short-term guarantees for single transactions and revolving supplier/buyer policies in individual cases in order to meet the premium requirements stipulated by the European Commission for this market segment.
Our products for your export transactions
Exporters
Wholeturnover and revolving cover
Wholeturnover Policy (APG)
Credit periods of up to 12 month
- Accounts receivable arising from repeated export transactions amounting to a coverable turnover of at least EUR 500,000 – several buyers, several countries
Wholeturnover Policy light (APG-light)
Credit periods of up to 4 months
- Accounts receivable arising from coverable turnover from repeated export transactions – several buyers, several countries
The handling of the APG-light becomes even easier and faster if you use the APG-Online Service:
Revolving Supplier Credit Cover
Credit periods of up to 12 months (24 months in exceptional cases)
- Accounts receivable arising from repeated export transactions – one buyer, one country
Single transaction Cover
Hermes Cover click&cover EXPORT
Credit periods of up to 24 months
- Accounts receivable arising from a single export transaction
Leasing Cover
Credit periods of up to 24 months
- Accounts receivable arising from a single export transaction
Supplier Credit Cover
Credit periods of up to 24 months
- Accounts receivable arising from a single export transaction
Supplementary / additional cover
Counter-Guarantee (as applicant)
Credit periods of up to 24 months
- To supplement contract bond cover and protect the guarantor; it significantly reduces the risk that recourse against the exporter might be unsuccessful.
Constructional Works Cover
Credit periods of up to 24 months
- Accounts receivable arising from a single export transaction
Confiscation Risk Cover
Credit periods of up to 24 months
- Basically protection against loss or damage of the goods for political reasons
Banks
Wholeturnover and revolving cover
Revolving Buyer Credit Cover
Credit periods of up to 12 months (24 months in exceptional cases)
- Receivables arising from loans to finance regular export transactions with one buyer
Single transaction cover
Hermes Cover click&cover BANK
Credit periods of up to 24 months
- Receivables arising from a single export transaction
Buyer Credit Cover
Credit periods of up to 24 months
- Receivables arising from a single export transaction
Shopping line cover
Credit periods of up to 24 months
- It offers banks the possibility to obtain cover for a credit facility granted to be drawn
Leasing Cover
Credit periods of up to 24 months
- Receivables arising from a single export transaction
Supplementary / additional cover
Credit Confirmation Risk Cover
Credit periods of up to 24 months
- Receivables arising from documentary credits granted to finance a German export transaction, in particular confirmed letters of credit and irrevocable purchase commitments
Counter-Guarantee (as beneficiary)
Credit periods of 24 months
- To supplement contract bond cover and to protect the guarantor; it significantly reduces the risk that recourse against the exporter might be unsuccessful.
News
26. February 2021
AGA-Report 318
The EU exception for cover of export transactions extended until the end of 2021 – Important contribution to strengthening the exporting i...
23. March 2021
AGA-Report 319
Deckungen unter der APG: Vertragszahlen gestiegen - Schwellenländer im Fokus +++ Steigerung Refinanzierung bundesgedeckter Finanzkredite +...
30. March 2020
AGA-Report Special online
The EU Commission extends the possibilities of state support for short-term business