Contact Us
Still have questions?
If your question isn’t answered below, send us a message and the SAFE survey team will get back to you.
Conducted on behalf of the ECB and the European Commission
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the SAFE survey
What is the SAFE survey?
The Survey on the Access to Finance of Enterprises (SAFE) provides information on the financial situation of enterprises, financing needs and availability, and firms’ expectations about selling prices, costs, employment and euro area inflation.
Who conducts the survey and how?
Verian, a research company, working with GDCC (Global Data Collection Company), carries out the survey on behalf of the ECB and the European Commission. Interviews are conducted over a five-week period, mainly by telephone, with an online questionnaire also available.
How often is the survey run?
As of 2024 Q1, SAFE is conducted every quarter. Three rounds a year are run by the ECB covering euro area countries, and one round is run in cooperation with the European Commission covering all EU countries plus some neighbouring countries.
Which firms and countries does the survey cover?
Results are broken down by firm size, sector, country, firm age, financial autonomy and ownership. Three rounds a year cover euro area countries, while the annual round with the European Commission covers all EU countries plus some neighbouring countries.
Will my answers be kept confidential?
Yes. Your answers stay confidential and are only used in aggregate with responses from other firms to produce the published survey results.
I've been contacted as a respondent — is it genuine?
Official letters inviting firms to take part are sent by the ECB and the European Commission and are available in all EU languages. If you’re unsure whether a request is genuine, email survey.accesstofinance@ecb.europa.eu to confirm.
How do I complete the survey?
Interviews are conducted over a five-week period, mainly by telephone. Respondents may also complete an online questionnaire if they prefer.
Who do I contact with questions?
If you have any questions about the survey, please email survey.accesstofinance@ecb.europa.eu.