What are guarantees and how much has the Netherlands guaranteed?

In 2025, the Netherlands’ financial contribution to (participation in) international financial funds and institutions amounted to more than €196 billion in the form of guarantees. It had also contributed more than €7 billion to the funds and institutions’ capital.

The greater part of its guarantees in the EU were given for the European emergency funds. The Netherlands’ financial ties with the international institutions and banks in financial difficulties that are assisted by the European emergency funds have increased significantly since the 2008 credit crisis. Other EU-related international guarantees were given during the COVID-19 crisis and following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Guarantees have also been given for the EIB and, recently, for defence projects.

Guarantees are based on an international institution’s lending capacity and therefore bear risks. If a financial institution runs into difficulties, the risks can be passed on to the counties standing as guarantors, such as the Netherlands. Guarantees are usually long term in nature and guarantors can be exposed to potential financial risks sometimes for dozens of years.