Late-payment interest calculator for Italian invoices
Enter the amount, the due date and the payment date to get the days late, the statutory late-payment interest under Italian Legislative Decree 231/2002 half-year by half-year, and the total to claim.
How it is calculated
In commercial transactions between businesses, and between businesses and public bodies, late-payment interest runs automatically from the day after the due date, with no formal notice needed. The rate is the ECB reference rate in force on 1 January or 1 July of each half-year, plus 8 percentage points. The Italian Ministry of Economy publishes it every six months in the Official Gazette.
The formula, for each half-year: interest = amount × rate × days ÷ 365. If the delay spans several half-years, each part is added at its own rate. The parties can agree a different rate in writing, as long as it is not grossly unfair to the creditor.
Rates for recent half-years
| Half-year | ECB rate | Late-payment rate |
|---|---|---|
| H2 2026 | 2.40% | 10.40% |
| H1 2026 | 2.15% | 10.15% |
| H2 2025 | 2.15% | 10.15% |
| H1 2025 | 3.15% | 11.15% |
| H2 2024 | 4.25% | 12.25% |
| H1 2024 | 4.50% | 12.50% |
| H2 2023 | 4.00% | 12.00% |
| H1 2023 | 2.50% | 10.50% |
For agricultural and food products the surcharge is 12 points instead of 8. The calculator also uses the rates of earlier years, back to 2013.
The €40 flat compensation
On top of interest, the creditor is entitled to €40 compensation for recovery costs without having to prove them (art. 6 of Legislative Decree 231/2002). Higher documented costs, such as legal fees, can be claimed separately.
What to do next
With the total in hand, you can send the client a payment reminder stating the interest accrued. For large or unclear cases, check with an accountant or a lawyer. To know when each invoice falls due, use the due date calculator.
Who pays you late, from your invoices
CassaChiara reads Italian XML e-invoices or the cassetto fiscale ZIP and shows overdue payments client by client, together with a 90-day cash forecast.
Try it free with your invoices See pricingFrequently asked questions
What is the Italian late-payment rate in H2 2026?
10.40%: the ECB reference rate of 2.40% plus 8 points. In H1 2026 it was 10.15%.
When does late-payment interest start?
From the day after the payment due date, automatically, with no formal notice needed.
Is interest calculated on the amount including VAT?
As a rule yes, on the full amount due on the invoice. For special cases, such as split payment, ask an accountant.
Does it apply to consumers?
No: Legislative Decree 231/2002 covers commercial transactions between businesses and with public bodies. Statutory legal interest applies to consumers.
Is the data I enter sent anywhere?
No: the calculation runs in your browser.