Half-year rates
The ECB rate on 1 January applies to January–June and the rate on 1 July to July–December, so a long debt can span several rates.
EU Late Payment Directive (2011/7/EU)
EU late payment interest calculator (July–December 2026)
Across the euro area, a business paid late can claim at least the ECB main refinancing rate plus 8 percentage points, recalculated every half-year, plus €40 per late invoice. For July–December 2026 the minimum is 10.4% a year. Some countries set more: Germany adds 9 points and France 10.
ECB main refinancing rate + at least 8 percentage points. EU Late Payment Directive (2011/7/EU).
You can add
€61.37Days late
30
Interest
€21.37
10.4% a year · €0.71 a day
Fixed fee
€40.00
How it adds up
30 Aug 2026 – 28 Sept 202630 days at 10.4% a year
€21.37
Fixed compensation€40 per late invoice, plus reasonable recovery costs above that
€40.00
Total you can add
€61.37
The ECB rate on 1 January applies to January–June, and the rate on 1 July to July–December.
A line for your final reminder
Invoice #1042 is now 30 days overdue. Under the EU Late Payment Directive (2011/7/EU), late-payment interest of €21.37 (10.4% a year) and a fixed recovery fee of €40.00 can now be added. I’m happy to waive this if the invoice is paid this week.Business-to-business invoices only. A rate agreed in your contract replaces these. General information, not legal advice.
Rather not chase at all?
Babara sends polite, escalating reminders for you, can mention this interest for you, and stops the moment they pay.
Try Babara freeEuro area (EU minimum)
How it works in Euro area (EU minimum)
Payment terms
Between businesses, terms longer than 60 days must be expressly agreed and not grossly unfair to the supplier. Public bodies usually have 30 days.
€40 and costs
Every late invoice earns at least €40 in fixed compensation, and reasonable recovery costs above that can be claimed.
Outside the euro
EU countries that don’t use the euro apply their own central bank’s rate, so check the national figure.
Every half-year since 2023
Euro area (EU minimum) late-payment interest rates
ECB main refinancing rate + at least 8 percentage points. The ECB rate on 1 January applies to January–June, and the rate on 1 July to July–December.
| Period | ECB main refinancing rate | Yearly rate |
|---|---|---|
| July–December 2026 | 2.40% | 10.40% |
| January–June 2026 | 2.15% | 10.15% |
| July–December 2025 | 2.15% | 10.15% |
| January–June 2025 | 3.15% | 11.15% |
| July–December 2024 | 4.25% | 12.25% |
| January–June 2024 | 4.50% | 12.50% |
| July–December 2023 | 4.00% | 12.00% |
| January–June 2023 | 2.50% | 10.50% |
Other countries
Before the first reminder
Good questions.
What is the EU late payment interest rate?
At least the ECB main refinancing rate plus 8 percentage points. For July–December 2026 that is 10.4% a year, based on the ECB rate of 2.40% on 1 July 2026.
Did the ECB rate change after 1 July 2026?
Yes, the ECB raised its main refinancing rate again in September 2026. Late-payment rates only move on 1 January and 1 July, so the higher rate would apply from 1 January 2027 if it is still in force then.
Is there a new EU late payment law?
A 2023 proposal to replace the Late Payment Directive with a stricter regulation has not been adopted. The Directive (2011/7/EU) and each country’s law still apply.
Does this apply to consumers?
No. These rules cover business-to-business transactions and payments by public authorities, including sole traders acting in the course of their business.
Consider the awkward part handled.
Let Babara mention it for you
Babara chases late invoices politely and can add one calm line about the interest the law allows to your final reminder.
Start chasing lessYour clients won’t know what hit them. (A very polite email.) Free for your first 3 invoices.