Practical guide for lawyers: legal interest rate (3.25%), procedural default Art. 576 LEC (5.25%) and LATE interest (ECB + 8pp). Includes free calculator and 2002-2026 rate table.
When a debtor fails to pay on time, Spanish law allows claiming interest as compensation for the delay. There are three distinct regimes, and applying the wrong rate can cost you in negotiations or in court.
This guide explains the three types, how they are calculated, and when each applies.
The legal interest rate is the default rate for all civil obligations where no interest rate was agreed. It is set annually by the General State Budget Law.
Current rates:
When it applies: debts between private individuals, loans without agreed interest, contractual breaches in civil contracts.
Procedural default interest applies once a final judgment is handed down. The judgment debtor must pay interest at the legal rate plus two percentage points until the judgment is satisfied.
Current rates:
When it applies: from the date of the final judgment until full payment. No express request is needed in the claim; the court imposes it ex officio.
Spain's Law 3/2004 (implementing EU Directive 2011/7) establishes a special regime for B2B and company-to-public-body transactions.
The rate is the ECB reference rate plus 8 percentage points, updated on 1 January and 1 July each year.
Recent rates:
| Period | ECB | LATE (ECB + 8pp) |
|---|---|---|
| H1 2025 | 2.90% | 10.90% |
| H2 2024 | 3.65% | 11.65% |
| H1 2024 | 4.50% | 12.50% |
When it applies: commercial transactions between companies or between companies and public administrations. Does NOT apply to consumers.
| Legal (CC) | Procedural (LEC) | LATE (Law 3/2004) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rate 2025 | 3.25% | 5.25% | 10.90% |
| Applies to | Civil general | From final judgment | B2B / B2G |
| Updated | Annual | Annual | Biannual |
| Consumers | Yes | Yes | No |
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