Late payment interest calculator: the EU rule (ECB rate + 8 points, €40)
A business customer is paying late? Calculate the interest and the €40 compensation under the EU baseline rule of the Late Payment Directive, half-year by half-year. Free, no sign-up; the calculation runs in your browser.
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EU baseline rule: check your national law
This calculator applies the European baseline rule, not the law of a particular country. Directive 2011/7/EU sets minimum rules for late payment between businesses and with public authorities; each EU country has transposed it, and some go further. Check your national law before you claim.
Interest runs from the day after the due date. The reference rate is the ECB main refinancing rate in force on 1 January (for the first half-year) or on 1 July (for the second), plus at least 8 percentage points: 10.15% for the first half of 2026 and 10.40% for the second (ECB rate 2.15%, then 2.40%). When the delay spans several half-years, each period gets its own rate.
For each period: amount owed × rate × days ÷ 365 (simple interest). On top of the interest, a flat €40 is due for recovery costs, without a reminder (Article 6), and reasonable recovery costs above that amount can be claimed.
United Kingdom and Ireland: use our national versions. The UK is outside the EU and applies Bank Rate + 8% with £40, £70 or £100; Ireland applies the ECB rate + 8 points with €40, €70 or €100 depending on the debt.
- Some countries go further than the directive: Germany adds 9 points to its base rate, France 10 points to the ECB rate.
- The national laws we read for Italy (Legislative Decree 231/2002), Portugal (Decree-Law 62/2013) and Greece (Law 4152/2013, Greek text not checked on an official source) give the same figures as the baseline rule.
- Consumers are not covered by the directive: national rules apply.
- The rate is calculated by Le Frac from the ECB rates; the official national rate can differ.
Official sources
- EUR-Lex — Directive 2011/7/EU on combating late payment in commercial transactions
- European Central Bank — Key ECB interest rates
Rules checked on 20 October 2026. Free tool for information only: it is not legal or tax advice. The rules are checked against the official sources listed on this page; check your own situation before acting.
Frequently asked questions
What is the EU late payment interest rate?
At least the ECB main refinancing rate plus 8 percentage points, set each half-year: 10.40% for the second half of 2026 (ECB rate 2.40% on 1 July 2026). National laws can set a higher margin.
Is the €40 due on every invoice?
Under the directive, a flat €40 is due for recovery costs when interest becomes payable, without a reminder. Some countries have different amounts: Ireland uses €40, €70 or €100 depending on the debt, and the UK £40, £70 or £100.
Does it apply to consumers?
No. The Late Payment Directive covers transactions between businesses and with public authorities. Consumer rules are national.
Why does my country's rate differ?
The directive sets a minimum. Countries may add more points (Germany 9 points to its base rate, France 10 points to the ECB rate) or use their own reference rate. Use the national version of this tool when there is one.
Further reading
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