EU late payment interest: the rule for business invoices
When a business client in the EU pays late, you can claim statutory interest of at least the reference rate plus 8 points, and at least EUR 40 fixed compensation. For a debt that became late between 1 July 2026 and 31 December 2026, the minimum in euro countries that use the ECB rate is 10,4% per year.
The rule in three parts
- Rate. At least the reference rate plus 8 percentage points per year (Directive 2011/7/EU, Art. 2(6)). In euro countries the reference rate is the ECB main refinancing rate in force on 1 January (for debts that become late in the first half-year) or on 1 July (second half-year).
- Fixed compensation. At least EUR 40 per late invoice for recovery costs (Directive 2011/7/EU, Article 6).
- No reminder needed. Both can be claimed without sending a reminder first. Each country writes the rule into its own law, and some go above the minimum.
ECB reference rates since 2024
These are the rates the calculator uses. Each one applies to debts that become late in the half-year that starts on that date.
| In force from | ECB reference rate | EU minimum (+ 8 points) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2024 | 4,5% | 12,5% |
| 1 July 2024 | 4,25% | 12,25% |
| 1 January 2025 | 3,15% | 11,15% |
| 1 July 2025 | 2,15% | 10,15% |
| 1 January 2026 | 2,15% | 10,15% |
| 1 July 2026 | 2,4% | 10,4% |
Example
An invoice of EUR 2.400,00 became late between 1 July 2026 and 31 December 2026 in a country that uses the EU minimum. After 30 days the interest is EUR 2.400,00 x 10,4% / 365 x 30 = EUR 20,52. With the EUR 40 compensation you can claim EUR 2.460,52.
Country by country
15 of 27 EU countries have a checked rule in Overdue Kit. For the others the calculator falls back to the EU minimum or asks you to enter the rate, and links the official source.
| Country | Rule | Rate now | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | Austrian law uses the OeNB base rate (Basiszinssatz) plus 9,2 points. | Look up the national reference rate | UGB § 456 |
| Belgium | Not checked yet | Not checked yet | Wet van 2 augustus 2002 (Justel) |
| Bulgaria | Not checked yet | Not checked yet | Bulgarian National Bank |
| Croatia | Not checked yet | Not checked yet | EUR-Lex, national measures for Directive 2011/7/EU |
| Cyprus | Not checked yet | Not checked yet | EUR-Lex, national measures for Directive 2011/7/EU |
| Czechia | Not checked yet | Not checked yet | EUR-Lex, national measures for Directive 2011/7/EU |
| Denmark | Not checked yet | Not checked yet | Retsinformation |
| Estonia | Not checked yet | Not checked yet | Riigi Teataja |
| Finland | Finnish law uses the Bank of Finland reference rate (based on the ECB rate) plus 8 points. | Look up the national reference rate | Korkolaki 633/1982, § 4a |
| France | Not checked yet | Not checked yet | Légifrance |
| Germany | Bundesbank base rate + 9 points | 10,52% | BGB § 288(2) |
| Greece | Not checked yet | Not checked yet | EUR-Lex, national measures for Directive 2011/7/EU |
| Hungary | Hungarian law uses the MNB central bank base rate valid on the first day of the half-year plus 8 points. | Look up the national reference rate | 2013. évi V. törvény (Ptk.) |
| Ireland | ECB reference rate + 8 points | 10,4% | S.I. No. 580 of 2012 |
| Italy | ECB reference rate + 8 points | 10,4% | Decreto legislativo 231/2002, art. 2 |
| Latvia | ECB reference rate + 8 points | 10,4% | Civillikums (Civil Law) |
| Lithuania | Not checked yet | Not checked yet | EUR-Lex, national measures for Directive 2011/7/EU |
| Luxembourg | ECB reference rate + 8 points | 10,4% | Loi du 18 avril 2002 |
| Malta | ECB reference rate + 8 points | 10,4% | Legal Notice 272 of 2012 |
| Netherlands | ECB reference rate + 8 points | 10,4% | Burgerlijk Wetboek, art. 6:120 |
| Poland | Polish law uses the NBP reference rate plus 10 points. | Look up the national reference rate | Ustawa, Dz.U. 2023 poz. 711 |
| Portugal | Not checked yet | Not checked yet | Diário da República, DL 62/2013 |
| Romania | Not checked yet | Not checked yet | Portal legislativ |
| Slovakia | The 2013 text of the Slovak regulation uses the ECB rate plus 9 points. Check the current version. | Look up the national reference rate | Nariadenie vlády 21/2013 |
| Slovenia | ECB reference rate + 8 points | 10,4% | Uradni list RS (official gazette) |
| Spain | ECB reference rate + 8 points | 10,4% | Ley 3/2004 |
| Sweden | Swedish law uses the Riksbank reference rate plus 8 points. | Look up the national reference rate | Räntelag (1975:635) |
More detail: Germany, euro countries that use the ECB rate plus 8, countries with their own reference rate.
Questions
What is the statutory late payment interest rate in the EU?
The EU minimum is the reference rate plus 8 percentage points (Directive 2011/7/EU). In euro countries that use the ECB rate, the reference rate for a debt that became late between 1 July 2026 and 31 December 2026 is 2,4%, so the minimum is 10,4% per year. Some countries add more, for example Germany adds 9 points to its own base rate.
Do I have to send a reminder before I can claim interest?
No. Under the directive, interest and the fixed compensation of at least EUR 40 can be claimed on a late business invoice without sending a reminder first.
Does this apply to private customers?
No. These rules cover business-to-business invoices. They do not apply to private consumers.
Rates and sources as stored on 11 October 2026. Business-to-business debts only. Templates and calculations, not legal advice.