Export support for companies from Germany

Public bodies and programmes that help a company registered in Germany sell abroad, by kind of support. Each entry was checked on the official website on the date shown.

• Trade promotion agencyVaries

  Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI)

  Germany Trade & Invest

  First point of contact for Germany's export-oriented SMEs: its business analysts report regularly on 150 countries and provide the knowledge base for planning foreign business; two locations in Germany and 60 offices abroad.

  Who:

  Companies based in Germany (export promotion); GTAI also advises foreign investors.

  Run by:

  Economic development agency of the Federal Republic of Germany (sole shareholder: the Federal Republic)

  Markets:

  worldwide

  Note:

  Some GTAI pages and the federal economics ministry site returned a bot check on 8 November 2026; facts are from the 'About us' page only. The page does not say which services are free.

  Checked on the official site 2026-11-08.

• Grant or voucherCo-financed

  Auslandsmesseprogramm des Bundes (AMP)

  Federal foreign trade fair programme (German Pavilions)

  Places on 'German Pavilion' joint stands at selected trade fairs abroad under the 'made in Germany' umbrella, at reduced cost, with organisation handled by implementation companies.

  Who:

  Mainly small and medium-sized enterprises; see AUMA's participation instructions for each fair.

  Run by:

  Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture; programme published by AUMA

  Markets:

  worldwide (selected fairs abroad)

  Note:

  Budget set yearly by the Bundestag; on 8 November 2026 AUMA's page showed the 2026 programme as 'provisional' and gave no cost-share figure. BAFA's programme page (bafa.de, Auslandsmesseprogramm) says exhibitors pay a participation price for space, stand construction and support, no direct payments are made to exhibitors, and participation is open to companies based in Germany (and their foreign branches) with goods made in Germany or under German licence.

  Checked on the official site 2026-11-08.

• Grant or voucherCo-financed

  Förderung der Teilnahme junger innovativer Unternehmen an internationalen Leitmessen in Deutschland (Young Innovators)

  Young Innovators: trade fair support for young innovative companies

  Grant towards stand rent and construction on the federal joint stand for young innovators at selected international leading trade fairs in Germany: 60% of eligible costs for the first two participations and 50% from the third, up to EUR 7,500 per exhibitor and fair; at most three participations at the same fair.

  Who:

  Legally independent companies with seat and operations in Germany that meet the EU definition of a small enterprise (fewer than 50 staff, turnover or balance sheet up to EUR 10 million), are under ten years old and have new or substantially improved products, processes or services.

  Run by:

  Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE); administered by the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA)

  Markets:

  international buyers at trade fairs in Germany

  Note:

  Register with the fair organiser at least eight weeks before the fair, then apply to BAFA. De minimis aid. The list of eligible fairs is set yearly (BAFA published lists for 2026 and 2027). The federal funding database page (foerderdatenbank.de) gives the same figures but was behind a bot check for further detail on 8 November 2026.

  Checked on the official site 2026-11-08.

• Export credit and insurancePaid

  Exportkreditgarantien der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Hermesdeckungen)

  Federal export credit guarantees (Hermes cover)

  Insurance of export transactions against commercial and political payment default, transferring a large part of the risk to the Federal Republic against a risk-based premium; available only where private insurers do not offer adequate cover, with a focus on emerging and developing countries. Free, non-binding online pre-check.

  Who:

  As a rule all German export companies and export-financing banks domiciled in Germany, regardless of size or order value; the page says the scheme supports SMEs in particular.

  Run by:

  Federal Government of Germany

  Markets:

  worldwide

  Note:

  Key criteria: eligibility for trade promotion and the prospect of loss-free execution of the transaction.

  Checked on the official site 2026-11-08.

• Export credit and insurancePaid

  KfW IPEX-Bank

  Tailored medium- and long-term international project and export finance supporting the German and European economy, with headquarters in Frankfurt, a London branch and representative offices abroad.

  Who:

  Assessed case by case; the page names no eligibility criteria.

  Run by:

  Part of KfW Group (specialist financier for international project and export finance)

  Markets:

  worldwide

  Note:

  The page does not state minimum amounts or SME-specific products.

  Checked on the official site 2026-11-08.

• Chambers abroadVaries

  Deutsche Auslandshandelskammern (AHK)

  German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK network)

  Chambers at 150 locations in over 90 countries supporting companies on entry and expansion into new markets and on local legal and cultural issues; a contact finder matches you with the right chamber and offers a free, no-obligation initial consultation.

  Who:

  German companies expanding abroad.

  Run by:

  Network of German chambers of commerce abroad

  Markets:

  worldwide

  Note:

  The free initial consultation is stated on the page; it does not give prices for other services. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy is listed as a partner, without detail of the funding arrangement.

  Checked on the official site 2026-11-08.

Also open to you: the EU-wide instruments.

All countries and filters · Selling into Germany

Cresques is not affiliated with these bodies. Sources: the official website of each institution, read on the date shown; conditions and calls change — check the official page before applying.