Since 29 July 2014, German law limits how long a business may take to pay another business. Section 271a of the Civil Code deals with payment periods of more than 60 days after receipt of the goods or work. Such a period is valid only wenn sie ausdrücklich getroffen und im Hinblick auf die Belange des Gläubigers nicht grob unbillig ist, if it was expressly agreed and is not grossly unfair to the creditor. The same applies to a period of more than 30 days for inspection or acceptance. For public clients, a payment period of more than 60 days is void.
A business that pays late owes interest. Section 288 sets the rate at neun Prozentpunkte über dem Basiszinssatz, nine percentage points above the base rate. On 1 July 2026 the Bundesbank set the base rate at 1.52 percent. The creditor can also claim eine Pauschale in Höhe von 40 Euro, a flat fee of 40 euros. The law implements an EU directive from 2011 that aims at a Kultur der unverzüglichen Zahlung, a culture of prompt payment.