> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.kontinent.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.kontinent.ai/overview/principles.md).

# Principles

Kontinent helps teams in Europe source and optimize AI usage. We believe the future is multi-model, multi-provider, and EU-resident.

## Why Kontinent?

**EU data residency**. Requests are served by EU-resident providers. Each model carries a [sovereignty](/models-and-routing/models.md) tier so you can require an EU-owned provider.

**Price and performance**. A [smart router you configure](/models-and-routing/price-performance.md) classifies each request and picks among the models you allow — for cost, latency, or reliability. See [routing policies](/models-and-routing/routing-policies.md).

**Standardized API**. No need to change code when switching between models or providers. Point any OpenAI SDK at Kontinent. See [One API for every model](/features/unified-api.md).

**Zero retention**. Prompt and completion bodies are never stored or logged. Only metadata survives a request. See [Privacy & retention](/privacy/privacy.md).

**Consolidated billing**. Prepaid credits in EUR, one balance regardless of how many providers you use. See [Rate limits & credits](/features/rate-limits.md).

**Higher availability**. Fallback providers and automatic routing mean your requests still work when a provider goes down. Kontinent targets [99.99% availability](/models-and-routing/availability.md).


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