The European Central Bank raised interest rates by 25 basis points at its June 2026 meeting, the first increase since 2023, as policymakers emphasized their commitment to anchoring inflation at the 2% medium-term target. The move follows rising energy costs and persistent inflation risks driven by the Iran conflict and disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The ECB stated that the Middle East war is amplifying inflationary pressures, and the rate increase is supported across scenarios assessing its impact on the euro area’s outlook. The ECB also revised its inflation forecasts upward, now expecting headline inflation to reach 3.0% in 2026 (up from 2.6%) and 2.3% in 2027 (up from 2.0%). Core inflation was also raised to 2.5% for both 2026 and 2027, from previous estimates of 2.3% and 2.2%, respectively. For economic growth, the ECB slightly lowered its Eurozone GDP projections, forecasting expansion of 0.8% in 2026 (down from 0.9%) and 1.2% in 2027 (down from 1.3%). source: European Central Bank

The benchmark interest rate In the Euro Area was last recorded at 2.40 percent. Interest Rate in Euro Area averaged 1.88 percent from 1998 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 4.75 percent in October of 2000 and a record low of 0.00 percent in March of 2016. This page provides - Euro Area Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Euro Area Interest Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

The benchmark interest rate In the Euro Area was last recorded at 2.40 percent. Interest Rate in Euro Area is expected to be 2.40 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Euro Area Interest Rate is projected to trend around 2.40 percent in 2027 and 2.15 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-19 01:15 PM ECB Interest Rate Decision 2.15% 2.15% 2.15% 2.15%
2026-04-30 12:15 PM ECB Interest Rate Decision 2.15% 2.15% 2.15% 2.15%
2026-06-11 12:15 PM ECB Interest Rate Decision 2.4% 2.15% 2.4% 2.4%
2026-06-25 07:00 AM ECB General Council Meeting
2026-06-29 12:00 AM ECB Forum on Central Banking
2026-06-30 12:00 AM ECB Forum on Central Banking


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Central Bank Balance Sheet 6136317.00 6162017.00 EUR Million Jun 2026
Deposit Facility Rate 2.25 2.00 percent Jun 2026
Foreign Exchange Reserves 122147.00 121.29 USD Billion May 2026
ECB Interest Rate 2.40 2.15 percent Jun 2026
Marginal Lending Rate 2.65 2.40 percent Jun 2026
Loans to Households YoY 3.00 3.00 percent Apr 2026
Loans to Non-financial Corporations 5409680.00 5383316.00 EUR Million Apr 2026
Longer-Term Refinancing Operations 13.25 13.25 EUR Billion Jun 2026
Money Supply M0 4103209.00 4180377.00 EUR Million May 2026
Money Supply M1 11265075.00 11285871.00 EUR Million Apr 2026
Money Supply M2 16289850.00 16282398.00 EUR Million Apr 2026
Money Supply M3 17433911.00 17447434.00 EUR Million Apr 2026
Refinancing Operations 11.82 14.94 EUR Billion Jun 2026


Euro Area Interest Rate
In the Euro Area, benchmark interest rate is set by the Governing Council of the European Central Bank. The primary objective of the ECB’s monetary policy is to maintain price stability which is to keep inflation below, but close to 2 percent over the medium term. In times of prolonged low inflation and low interest rates, ECB may also adopt non-standard monetary policy measures, such as asset purchase programmes. The official interest rate is the Main refinancing operations rate.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
2.40 2.15 4.75 0.00 1998 - 2026 percent Daily

News Stream
ECB Hikes Rates for First Time Since 2023
The European Central Bank raised interest rates by 25 basis points at its June 2026 meeting, the first increase since 2023, as policymakers emphasized their commitment to anchoring inflation at the 2% medium-term target. The move follows rising energy costs and persistent inflation risks driven by the Iran conflict and disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The ECB stated that the Middle East war is amplifying inflationary pressures, and the rate increase is supported across scenarios assessing its impact on the euro area’s outlook. The ECB also revised its inflation forecasts upward, now expecting headline inflation to reach 3.0% in 2026 (up from 2.6%) and 2.3% in 2027 (up from 2.0%). Core inflation was also raised to 2.5% for both 2026 and 2027, from previous estimates of 2.3% and 2.2%, respectively. For economic growth, the ECB slightly lowered its Eurozone GDP projections, forecasting expansion of 0.8% in 2026 (down from 0.9%) and 1.2% in 2027 (down from 1.3%).
2026-06-11
ECB Set to Raise Interest Rates for 1st Time Since 2023
The ECB is widely expected to raise interest rates by 25bps at its June 2026 meeting as policymakers respond to surging energy costs and the growing risk of persistent inflation amid the conflict with Iran and disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The move would mark the ECB's first rate increase since 2023, lifting the deposit facility rate to 2.25%. The expected hike comes after euro area inflation accelerated to 3.2% in May, remaining well above the ECB's 2% target. Core inflation also rose to 2.5% from 2.2% in April. Alongside the rate decision, the ECB will release updated macroeconomic projections, with experts anticipating significant upward revisions to inflation forecasts for 2026 and 2027. Investors will closely parse President Lagarde’s press conference for clues on future policy moves. Markets currently expect at least one more rate hike this year, though uncertainty lingers after data revealed the eurozone economy contracted in Q1 2026.
2026-06-11
ECB Officials Were Open to a Rate Rise in April: Minutes
A number of ECB members viewed the April decision to keep rates unchanged as a close call and indicated they would have supported a rate hike had it been proposed, according to the latest ECB meeting minutes. Policymakers warned that the energy-driven supply shock was proving more persistent than previously expected, increasing the risk of broader and more entrenched inflationary pressures, while the war in the Middle East was seen as a key source of uncertainty for both inflation and growth. Members also acknowledged the increasingly difficult trade-off facing monetary policy, as slowing economic activity and weakening confidence coincided with rising inflation risks. Several officials noted that even with two projected rate hikes this year, inflation was still expected to remain slightly above the ECB’s target. Investors expect the ECB to raise its key rates by 25 basis points on June 11, with at least one additional hike priced in by the end of the year.
2026-05-28