Interest on interest
At the end of each full year, the interest owed is added to the principal and earns interest too.
Dutch Civil Code, art. 6:119a (wettelijke handelsrente)
Wettelijke handelsrente: late payment interest in the Netherlands (July–December 2026)
In the Netherlands, businesses paid late can claim statutory commercial interest (wettelijke handelsrente): the ECB rate plus 8 percentage points, reset every half-year and added to the debt at the end of each year. Since 1 July 2026 it is 10.4% a year, plus at least €40 in collection costs.
ECB main refinancing rate + 8 percentage points, added to the debt at the end of each year. Dutch Civil Code, art. 6:119a (wettelijke handelsrente).
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 compensationAt least €40 in collection costs
€40.00
Total you can add
€61.37
The rate is reset on 1 January and 1 July; unpaid interest is added to the debt each year.
A line for your final reminder
Invoice #1042 is now 30 days overdue. Under the Dutch Civil Code, art. 6:119a (wettelijke handelsrente), 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 freeNetherlands
How it works in Netherlands
Half-year rates
The rate is reset on 1 January and 1 July, following the ECB’s refinancing rate plus 8 points.
€40 minimum
Between businesses you can claim at least €40 in collection costs per late invoice.
Consumers differ
Private individuals pay the lower statutory rate for non-commercial transactions (4% since 1 January 2026).
Every half-year since 2023
Netherlands late-payment interest rates
ECB main refinancing rate + 8 percentage points, added to the debt at the end of each year. The rate is reset on 1 January and 1 July; unpaid interest is added to the debt each year.
| 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.
Hoe hoog is de wettelijke handelsrente in 2026?
Sinds 1 juli 2026 is de wettelijke handelsrente 10.4%. Van 1 januari tot en met 30 juni 2026 was die 10,15%.
What is the Dutch commercial statutory interest rate?
10.4% a year since 1 July 2026 (it was 10.15% from 1 January to 30 June 2026).
Does Dutch statutory interest compound?
Yes. After each full year, the interest owed is added to the amount on which interest is calculated.
What about invoices to consumers?
Consumer (non-commercial) transactions use the lower statutory interest rate, 4% since 1 January 2026.
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.