kontingenter

Kontingenter is a term used in several Nordic languages to denote a fixed portion, quota or allotment of something that can be used, allocated or required within a defined period. The precise meaning depends on context but generally refers to a limited and predetermined share assigned to a group, region or category.

In military history, a kontingent described a specified number of soldiers raised by a province or territory to serve in a larger national army. The kontingent was typically obligated to provide troops, officers, or matériel, and the terms governed recruitment, funding, and deployment.

In immigration, trade and administration, kontingenter are quotas or allotments set by policy. For example, a country might admit a certain kontingent of immigrants each year, or grant a limited number of import licenses for a class of goods. In federations or international organizations, member states may owe kontingenter to a central budget or fund, calculated according to population, GDP, or agreed formulas.

In modern usage, kontingenter can also refer to fixed subscriptions or dues within an organization or company, where each member or unit pays a predetermined amount or shares in a common cost.

Key aspects include the fixed nature of the allocation, the period over which it applies, and the mechanism for enforcement or distribution. The term is used primarily in Scandinavian languages and may be translated as quota, allotment or contribution, depending on context.