FAQ about Export Loan

Export Loan is a loan from Almi that helps companies invest in international markets. It complements the overall financing solution and is often used together with bank financing.

Export Loan can also be combined with guarantees from the Swedish Export Credit Agency (EKN) when you need to finance export-related transactions or investments.

Export Loan is a good option when you want to expand into international markets and need financing to launch or grow an export initiative.

The loan is particularly suitable for established companies with a clear plan for international expansion that need capital for investments, production, inventory, customer financing or other export-related costs.

With Export Loan, you receive financing that complements your bank’s solution and takes both risk and potential in your international business into account. You also benefit from dialogue and support that strengthen your company’s strategy, priorities and long-term development ahead of expansion.

You can apply for Export Loan if you run a company registered in Sweden and want to grow internationally. The loan is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises with ambitions to enter new markets.

Export Loan can be used for initiatives that enable your company to establish or strengthen its presence in international markets. This may include investments, production capacity, inventory build-up, customer financing or other financing required to launch and grow your export operations.

There is no fixed upper limit for Export Loan. The loan amount is determined based on your company’s financing needs, the viability of the project, the competence of the management team and your company’s repayment capacity.

Yes, Export Loan normally requires co-financing. Almi’s share of the financing is adapted to the company’s total capital need and the level of risk involved in the export initiative. Co-financing may come from, for example, a bank, owners or other external financiers.

Almi often complements the part of the financing that banks or other actors are unable to provide, making export initiatives possible even when the overall risk is higher.

In most cases, Almi finances between 30 and 50 percent of the capital need. Depending on risk and assessed repayment capacity, the share may be lower or higher.

The interest rate for Export Loan is set individually, based on the level of risk in your company and the portion of the investment financed by Almi.

In many cases, Almi’s participation is a prerequisite for a bank or another financier to take part in the deal. By complementing the financing and taking on higher risk, Almi helps enable investments that might otherwise not be possible. This is also why Almi’s interest rates are normally around 2–3 percentage points higher than those of banks.

Export Loan is usually secured with a business mortgage and a limited personal guarantee. The collateral is adapted to your company’s situation and the nature of the project. Your advisor will review what is reasonable based on your application.

Export Loan normally has a repayment period of approximately 2–5 years, adapted to what you are financing and your company’s ability to repay the loan. Your advisor will help you set up a repayment plan that fits your company’s situation.

You apply for Export Loan via Almi’s digital loan application service using BankID. After submitting your application, an advisor will contact you to schedule a needs-based meeting. During the meeting, you will review your company’s situation, your export initiative and which documentation is required to assess your application.

The required documentation depends on your company’s situation and what you plan to finance. Common documentation includes a business plan, budget, forecasts for the export project, information about market and strategy, and financial documentation such as annual financial statements or budgets. Your advisor will guide you on what is required.

Processing time is normally around 3–4 weeks from the moment the application is complete and all required documentation has been submitted. It may take slightly longer if additional information is needed.

Yes, Export Loan is often combined with other financing solutions. For example, you can use bank loans, equity or other loan products alongside Export Loan to cover your company’s total capital need for international expansion.