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EU late payment interest calculator (B2B)

A client paid late, or still hasn't paid? Enter the invoice total and dates. The calculator applies the EU minimum statutory rate (ECB reference rate + 8 points, per half-year) or your own contract rate, adds the €40 fixed compensation, and drafts a polite reminder you can paste into an email.

Days late

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Interest

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Fixed compensation

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Total you can claim

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Nothing you type leaves your device. Planning aid only, not tax or legal advice. Last checked .

How the calculation works

  1. Days late = days from the day after the due date up to and including the payment date (or today, if unpaid).
  2. Rate per day: in EU mode, each late day uses the ECB main refinancing rate in force on 1 January (January–June) or 1 July (July–December) of that year, plus your margin (the Directive minimum is 8 points). A delay that crosses 30 June or 31 December is split automatically.
  3. Interest = amount × annual rate ÷ 365 for each late day, as simple interest (no compounding), as the Directive defines it.
  4. Total = interest + the fixed compensation (at least €40 under the Directive).

Reference rates used (euro area)

Half-yearECB rate on 1 Jan / 1 JulEU minimum statutory rate
2026 Jul–Dec2.40%10.40%
2026 Jan–Jun2.15%10.15%
2025 Jul–Dec2.15%10.15%
2025 Jan–Jun3.15%11.15%
2024 Jul–Dec4.25%12.25%
2024 Jan–Jun4.50%12.50%
2023 Jul–Dec4.00%12.00%
2023 Jan–Jun2.50%10.50%

The ECB raised its main refinancing rate to 2.65% from 16 September 2026, but for late payments the 1 July rate (2.40%) applies until 31 December 2026. For late days in 2027 or later, the calculator re-uses the last known rate and marks the result as provisional until the 1 January 2027 rate is known.

Before you claim

  • B2B only. The Directive covers business-to-business and business-to-public-authority transactions, not consumers.
  • National law decides the details. Each country implemented the Directive in its own law and may be more generous to creditors (for example a higher margin). Non-euro countries use their national central bank's rate: switch to "fixed annual rate" and enter it.
  • Your contract can set a different rate between businesses, within the limits of Article 7 (a term that excludes late payment interest is considered grossly unfair).
  • Relationship first. Many freelancers waive the interest on a first, short delay and mention the statutory right in the reminder. That's a business choice, not a legal one.

Late payments are easier to chase when you can see them coming. A simple invoice log with due dates and a "days overdue" column does most of the work. Our guide on what must be on an EU invoice covers the details your invoice needs in the first place, and the invoice number generator helps keep the sequence clean.

General information based on Directive 2011/7/EU and ECB data, not legal advice. For a real dispute, check your national implementation or ask a lawyer.

FAQ

Can I charge late payment interest to a business client without warning them first?
Under the Late Payment Directive, yes: in B2B transactions the creditor is entitled to interest for late payment "without the necessity of a reminder", provided you have fulfilled your own obligations and the client is responsible for the delay (Article 3(1)). The €40 fixed sum is also payable without a reminder (Article 6(2)). Whether it is wise for the client relationship is another question: many freelancers send a friendly reminder first and mention the statutory right.
What is the statutory late payment interest rate in 2026?
The EU minimum is the reference rate plus at least 8 percentage points. For euro countries the reference rate is the ECB main refinancing rate in force on 1 January (for January–June) or 1 July (for July–December). That gives at least 10.15% a year for the first half of 2026 (2.15% + 8) and 10.40% for the second half of 2026 (2.40% + 8). Countries may set a higher margin, and non-euro countries use their own central bank rate, so check your national law.
Is the €40 per invoice?
The Directive gives the creditor a fixed sum of at least €40 "where interest for late payment becomes payable", as compensation for recovery costs (Article 6(1)). It is commonly applied per late invoice. Reasonable recovery costs above €40 (for example a lawyer or a collection agency) can be claimed on top (Article 6(3)).
Does this apply to private (consumer) clients?
No. Directive 2011/7/EU covers commercial transactions between businesses, and between businesses and public authorities. Late payment by consumers is governed by national law.
Is interest calculated on the amount including VAT?
The Directive defines the "amount due" as the principal sum that should have been paid, including the applicable taxes, duties, levies or charges specified in the invoice (Article 2(8)). So in the Directive's terms, the invoice total including VAT is the basis.
When does the clock start if my invoice has no due date?
If the contract does not fix a payment date, interest is due 30 calendar days after the client receives the invoice (or after receipt of the goods/services if that is later or the invoice date is uncertain) (Article 3(3)). Contractual payment terms between businesses should not exceed 60 days unless expressly agreed and not grossly unfair (Article 3(5)). Public authorities generally have 30 days, 60 at most (Article 4).
Is a new EU late payment law coming?
The Commission proposed a Late Payment Regulation in 2023 (COM(2023) 533) to replace the Directive, including a stricter 30-day limit. As of October 2026 that procedure is still ongoing and not adopted, so Directive 2011/7/EU, as implemented in each country, is what applies.

Sources (official)

Last checked: . General information, not tax or legal advice. Rules and national details change: check locally with your tax authority or an accountant.