Guarantees

Guarantees for bank loans with interest rate subsidy

Up to EUR 1,250,000 of bank loan for investment

Easier, faster and cheaper bank loans for investment and working capital
A 60% or 80% SEF guarantee increases the possibility of obtaining a bank loan for companies that do not have sufficient collateral or want to free it up for a new investment cycle.

Public tenders

Submit application

General guarantees for major investments

Up to EUR 1,250,000 of credit

Guarantees for green / digital / circular economy projects

Up to EUR 1,250,000 of credit

Micro-guarantees
for working capital

Up to EUR 200,000 of credit

Purpose of financing

SEF guarantees are intended for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises to make it easier, faster, and cheaper to obtain bank loans for larger investments, including investments in digitisation, green energy, and the circular economy. They enable companies to obtain favourable credit conditions from banks, as they serve as a guarantee for the repayment of the loan, while reducing the need for the company’s own funds to secure the bank loan.

In addition to a 60% or 80% SEF guarantee to secure a bank loan, companies are also entitled to a reduced interest rate and other favourable loan conditions from banks that cooperate with SEF. Guarantees are issued for loans that have been pre-approved by banks for larger investments – for loans up to EUR 1,250,000 or for working capital – for loans up to EUR 200,000.

The aim of the guarantees is to strengthen the competitiveness of companies, enable the expansion of activities, improve the financing of working capital and encourage the development of green technologies and digital solutions to reduce energy consumption and the transition to a circular economy.

Financing benefits

Amount of bank loan

Up to EUR 1,250,000 of credit for major investments or up to EUR 200,000 of credit for working capital.

Lower requirements for securing a bank loan

The SEF guarantee covers 60% or 80% of the value of the bank loan.

Longer maturity of the bank loan

From 1.5 years to 10 years for major investments, from 1.5 years to 5 years for working capital.

Possibility of using a moratorium on loan repayment

Up to 6 months for working capital, up to 24 months for investments.

Lower interest rate

6-month EURIBOR + margin, depending on the type of guarantee.

80% coverage of loan costs

The loan can cover up to 80% of the value of eligible project costs, the remainder of the coverage is own funds.

No guarantee management and approval fees

The loan can cover up to 80% of the value of eligible project costs, the remainder of the coverage is own funds.

Key characteristics

Easier, faster and cheaper bank loans

They enable companies to have easier access to the necessary financing, as guarantees reduce the risk for banks and thus contribute to more favourable conditions when taking out a loan.

Increasing the possibility of obtaining a loan for companies without sufficient collateral

Guarantees enable companies that do not have enough assets to secure a loan to have easier access to financing, which is especially important for young companies or companies in the growth phase.

Ensuring liquidity and competitive positioning on the market

With the help of guarantees, companies obtain the necessary funds to maintain liquidity, which enables them to operate more efficiently and be more competitive on the market.

Working capital or larger investments

Guarantees can help companies obtain funds for working capital or investments (tangible and intangible), which enables further development, expansion or improvement of business operations.

Promoting investments in connection with digitisation, green energy and the circular economy

Digitisation enables investments in advanced technologies (artificial intelligence, e-commerce, automation), Green energy enables investments in renewable sources, energy efficiency and sustainable projects, Circular economy – investments related to waste reduction, reuse of resources and recycling.

Financing takes place in two stages

Step 1: Start the procedure at a commercial bank
The company visits a commercial bank that cooperates with SEF and submits a request for a loan. In the explanation of the request, the company must state that it wishes to use the SEF guarantee as collateral for the loan. Based on this request, the bank verifies the company and issues a positive decision on the approval of the loan.
Step 2: Public tender and obtaining a SEF guarantee
Once the bank issues a positive decision, the company can apply for a guarantee with an interest rate subsidy through a SEF public tender. If the company successfully applies to the tender, SEF issues a guarantee that covers 60% or 80% of the loan collateral, while also ensuring more favourable loan conditions.

Stage 1

The bank issues a loan

LOAN

up to EUR 1,250,000 of credit for investments

up to EUR 200,000 of credit for working capital (medium-sized enterprises)

up to EUR 100,000 of credit for working capital (micro and small enterprises

SME receives credit

business cooperation

positive bank decision on loan approval

SME

Step 2

SEF issues a guarantee

GUARANTEE

for investments or working capital

60% or 80% SEF guarantee for securing a bank loan

SME receives a guarantee

The entire process of obtaining a guarantee is simple and fast

Publication of a public tender

SEF publishes a public tender on its website and in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, which enables companies to obtain a guarantee for securing a bank loan. The company becomes acquainted with the tender conditions through the published documentation, which is available on the SEF website.

Bank

The company visits a commercial bank that cooperates with SEF and applies for a long-term loan, explaining that it would use the SEF guarantee for security. After receiving the bank’s decision on loan approval, the company can apply for the SEF guarantee public tender.

Simple and fast electronic preparation and submission of the application

The application is prepared in the ePortal by completing the application form for the tender for which it wishes to apply and completes the application in accordance with the instructions.

Application processing and issuance of a decision

SEF reviews the application. In the event of an incomplete application, the applicant is invited to supplement it. Complete applications that meet the conditions of the tender are approved and financed within the framework of the tendered funds. After the review, SEF issues a decision on the approval of the loan.

Bank

SEF informs the bank about approved and rejected applications. When the guarantee application is approved, this becomes the basis for the conclusion of a loan agreement between the bank and the company, which also regulates the terms of loan security.

Signing of the contract with SEF

After receiving the signed loan agreement, the company concludes an agreement with SEF on the issuance of a guarantee and the subsidisation of the interest rate. The signing of the contract is carried out using a qualified digital certificate for business entities.