The European Central Bank left its key interest rates unchanged at its July meeting, following a 25bp increase in June, the first rate hike in three years, driven by rising energy prices and persistent inflationary pressures. Since then, policymakers have struck a more cautious tone, adopting a "wait-and-see" approach as softer inflation, wage growth, economic activity, and inflation expectations have reduced the urgency for another move. The ECB said the outlook for energy prices remains broadly in line with its June projections despite continued volatility, while warning that uncertainty remains high and the full inflationary impact of the energy shock has yet to emerge. Policymakers also noted they will continue to monitor its broader effects on inflation and the economy. At the post-meeting press conference, ECB President Lagarde warned that the longer energy prices remain elevated, "the more likely they are to drive up broader inflation through indirect and second-round effects.". 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 July 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 2.65 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
2026-04-30 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%
2026-07-23 12:15 PM ECB Interest Rate Decision 2.4% 2.4% 2.4% 2.4%
2026-09-10 12:15 PM ECB Interest Rate Decision
2026-09-30 07:00 AM ECB Non-Monetary Policy Meeting
2026-10-01 07:00 AM ECB General Council Meeting


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Central Bank Balance Sheet 5949077.00 5970516.00 EUR Million Jul 2026
Deposit Facility Rate 2.25 2.25 percent Jul 2026
Foreign Exchange Reserves 116.77 122.15 USD Billion Jun 2026
ECB Interest Rate 2.40 2.40 percent Jul 2026
Marginal Lending Rate 2.65 2.65 percent Jul 2026
Loans to Households YoY 3.10 3.00 percent May 2026
Loans to Non-financial Corporations 5442180.00 5409221.00 EUR Million May 2026
Longer-Term Refinancing Operations 13.64 13.64 EUR Billion Jul 2026
Money Supply M0 4022418.00 4103209.00 EUR Million Jun 2026
Money Supply M1 11328083.00 11263477.00 EUR Million May 2026
Money Supply M2 16381796.00 16288727.00 EUR Million May 2026
Money Supply M3 17552244.00 17434826.00 EUR Million May 2026
Refinancing Operations 12.66 12.50 EUR Billion Jul 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 2.40 4.75 0.00 1998 - 2026 percent Daily

News Stream
ECB Holds Rates Steady as Energy Risks Persist
The European Central Bank left its key interest rates unchanged at its July meeting, following a 25bp increase in June, the first rate hike in three years, driven by rising energy prices and persistent inflationary pressures. Since then, policymakers have struck a more cautious tone, adopting a "wait-and-see" approach as softer inflation, wage growth, economic activity, and inflation expectations have reduced the urgency for another move. The ECB said the outlook for energy prices remains broadly in line with its June projections despite continued volatility, while warning that uncertainty remains high and the full inflationary impact of the energy shock has yet to emerge. Policymakers also noted they will continue to monitor its broader effects on inflation and the economy. At the post-meeting press conference, ECB President Lagarde warned that the longer energy prices remain elevated, "the more likely they are to drive up broader inflation through indirect and second-round effects."
2026-07-23
ECB Expected to Stand Pat After June Hike
The European Central Bank is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged on Thursday, following June's first increase in three years, which was largely prompted by higher energy prices. With no updated economic projections, the focus will be on President Christine Lagarde's press conference for clues about the next policy moves. Officials are expected to strike a cautious but firm tone, reinforcing market pricing for one or two additional increases by year-end. The renewed surge in oil prices has again strengthened expectations of further tightening, much as it did at the onset of the Iran conflict. A September move is now almost fully priced in, and unless energy prices ease materially, that view is unlikely to change. Beyond then, the ECB's messaging will be key to shaping expectations for the pace and extent of any further policy tightening.
2026-07-23
ECB Signals No Pre-Set Rate Path: Minutes
ECB policymakers agreed to avoid providing guidance on the future path of interest rates following June's first rate hike since 2023, citing elevated economic uncertainty, according to the latest meeting minutes. Officials stressed that communication should remain neutral, neither signaling a series of further hikes nor suggesting the move was a one-off. The Governing Council reaffirmed its data-dependent, meeting-by-meeting approach and commitment to returning inflation to its 2% target, while warning that persistently high energy prices could fuel broader inflation. Policymakers said they would closely monitor inflation, wages, demand, financial conditions, and market developments. Markets now see a 70% chance of a September rate hike, as the latest oil price surge following renewed US-Iran strikes has outweighed the relatively dovish tone struck by ECB officials at the early-July Sintra forum, where they had signaled less urgency for additional tightening.
2026-07-09