When interest starts
From default (Verzug): straight after a payment date agreed by the calendar, otherwise after a reminder (Mahnung), or at the latest 30 days after the due date and receipt of the invoice. The calculator assumes an agreed date.
§ 288 (2) German Civil Code (BGB)
Verzugszinsen calculator: late payment interest in Germany (July–December 2026)
In Germany, when no consumer is involved, late-payment interest (Verzugszinsen) is the Bundesbank base rate plus 9 percentage points, and it follows the base rate every half-year. For July–December 2026 that is 10.52% a year, plus a €40 flat fee (Verzugspauschale).
Auf Deutsch: Verzugszinsen-RechnerBasiszinssatz + 9 percentage points. § 288 (2) German Civil Code (BGB).
You can add
€61.62Days late
30
Interest
€21.62
10.52% a year · €0.72 a day
Fixed fee
€40.00
How it adds up
30 Aug 2026 – 28 Sept 202630 days at 10.52% a year
€21.62
Fixed compensation€40 flat fee (Verzugspauschale, § 288 (5) BGB)
€40.00
Total you can add
€61.62
The base rate is reset on 1 January and 1 July, and the interest follows it for each half-year.
A line for your final reminder
Invoice #1042 is now 30 days overdue. Under the § 288 (2) German Civil Code (BGB), late-payment interest of €21.62 (10.52% 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.
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How it works in Germany
Rate follows the base rate
The Basiszinssatz is reset on 1 January and 1 July; each half-year of the debt uses its own rate.
€40 flat fee
Due on top when the client isn’t a consumer. It is set off against any legal costs you later claim.
Can’t be contracted away
Clauses that exclude default interest in advance are void; clauses that limit it or the €40 fee are void if grossly unfair.
Every half-year since 2023
Germany late-payment interest rates
Basiszinssatz + 9 percentage points. The base rate is reset on 1 January and 1 July, and the interest follows it for each half-year.
| Period | Bundesbank base rate (Basiszinssatz) | Yearly rate |
|---|---|---|
| July–December 2026 | 1.52% | 10.52% |
| January–June 2026 | 1.27% | 10.27% |
| July–December 2025 | 1.27% | 10.27% |
| January–June 2025 | 2.27% | 11.27% |
| July–December 2024 | 3.37% | 12.37% |
| January–June 2024 | 3.62% | 12.62% |
| July–December 2023 | 3.12% | 12.12% |
| January–June 2023 | 1.62% | 10.62% |
Other countries
Before the first reminder
Good questions.
Wie hoch sind die Verzugszinsen 2026 zwischen Unternehmen?
Vom 1. Juli bis 31. Dezember 2026: 10.52 % pro Jahr (Basiszinssatz 1,52 % + 9 Prozentpunkte, § 288 Abs. 2 BGB). Vom 1. Januar bis 30. Juni 2026 waren es 10,27 %.
What is the German late payment interest rate for businesses?
10.52% a year from 1 July 2026 (base rate 1.52% + 9 points). Between 1 January and 30 June 2026 it was 10.27%.
Is the €40 Verzugspauschale automatic?
Yes, when the debtor is not a consumer and is in default, you are entitled to €40 per late payment, including instalments.
What about invoices to consumers?
Consumers pay base rate + 5 points instead, and the €40 flat fee does not apply. This calculator is for business clients.
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.