The ECB left interest rates unchanged at its first policy meeting of 2026, reiterating that inflation is expected to stabilize at its 2% target over the medium term. The interest rate on the main refinancing operations was maintained at 2.15%, while the deposit facility and marginal lending rates were kept at 2.0% and 2.4%, respectively. The ECB said the euro area economy remains resilient, but cautioned that the outlook remains uncertain, particularly due to global trade policy risks and ongoing geopolitical tensions. Speaking at the ECB press conference, President Lagarde reiterated that both the central bank and the euro area inflation outlook are in a “good place.” She warned that inflation figures may move unevenly in the months ahead, but emphasized that policy decisions should not be driven by any single data release. Lagarde also acknowledged that uncertainty around the inflation outlook is higher than normal, reflecting the volatility of the global policy environment. source: European Central Bank

The benchmark interest rate In the Euro Area was last recorded at 2.15 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 February of 2026.

The benchmark interest rate In the Euro Area was last recorded at 2.15 percent. Interest Rate in Euro Area is expected to be 2.15 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 1.90 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2025-10-30 01:15 PM ECB Interest Rate Decision 2.15% 2.15% 2.15% 2.15%
2025-12-18 01:15 PM ECB Interest Rate Decision 2.15% 2.15% 2.15% 2.15%
2026-02-05 01:15 PM ECB Interest Rate Decision 2.15% 2.15% 2.15% 2.15%
2026-02-25 08:00 AM ECB Non-Monetary Policy Meeting
2026-03-19 01:15 PM ECB Interest Rate Decision 2.15%
2026-03-26 08:00 AM ECB General Council Meeting


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Central Bank Balance Sheet 6289997.00 6278438.00 EUR Million Jan 2026
Deposit Facility Rate 2.00 2.00 percent Feb 2026
Foreign Exchange Reserves 115.98 111.48 USD Billion Dec 2025
ECB Interest Rate 2.15 2.15 percent Feb 2026
Marginal Lending Rate 2.40 2.40 percent Feb 2026
Loans to Households YoY 3.00 2.90 percent Dec 2025
Loans to Non-financial Corporations 5324307.00 5300835.00 EUR Million Dec 2025
Longer-Term Refinancing Operations 10.57 11.23 EUR Billion Dec 2025
Money Supply M0 4248919.00 4337411.00 EUR Million Dec 2025
Money Supply M1 11087922.00 11058080.00 EUR Million Dec 2025
Money Supply M2 16073522.00 16024591.00 EUR Million Dec 2025
Money Supply M3 17230703.00 17192692.00 EUR Million Dec 2025
Refinancing Operations 10.65 10.04 EUR Billion Dec 2025


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
2.15 2.15 4.75 0.00 1998 - 2026 percent Daily

News Stream
ECB Holds Rates Steady, Outlook Remains Uncertain
The ECB left interest rates unchanged at its first policy meeting of 2026, reiterating that inflation is expected to stabilize at its 2% target over the medium term. The interest rate on the main refinancing operations was maintained at 2.15%, while the deposit facility and marginal lending rates were kept at 2.0% and 2.4%, respectively. The ECB said the euro area economy remains resilient, but cautioned that the outlook remains uncertain, particularly due to global trade policy risks and ongoing geopolitical tensions. Speaking at the ECB press conference, President Lagarde reiterated that both the central bank and the euro area inflation outlook are in a “good place.” She warned that inflation figures may move unevenly in the months ahead, but emphasized that policy decisions should not be driven by any single data release. Lagarde also acknowledged that uncertainty around the inflation outlook is higher than normal, reflecting the volatility of the global policy environment.
2026-02-05
ECB to Hold Rates, Outlook Clouded by Strong Euro
The European Central Bank is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged on Thursday, as policymakers weigh the impact of a stronger euro and a wave of low-priced Chinese imports on the inflation outlook. Data released Wednesday showed euro area inflation eased to 1.7% in January, the lowest since September 2024, while core inflation unexpectedly slipped to 2.2%, its lowest level since October 2021. The ECB has held policy steady since June, and markets see little scope for near-term shifts as the eurozone economy shows signs of resilience and inflation remains close to target, with President Christine Lagarde expected to reiterate that policy is in a “good place.” Still, the euro’s recent rally has sparked concern within the Governing Council: Austria’s Martin Kocher warned that further appreciation could push the ECB to resume rate cuts, while France’s François Villeroy de Galhau pointed to the dollar’s recent depreciation as a key factor shaping the bank’s outlook.
2026-02-05
ECB Maintains Patient Stance on Policy Rates
ECB policymakers noted that the central bank could afford to be patient, but stressed that this should not be interpreted as hesitancy to act or an asymmetric approach. According to the accounts from the December 2025 meeting, the ECB currently viewed its monetary policy stance as appropriate, though not static. Officials observed that economic activity had proven more resilient than expected, unemployment remained at historically low levels, and the inflation outlook was favorable, with prices projected to stay around target over the forecast horizon. However, the ECB acknowledged that future developments could materially diverge from the current outlook, given the range of potential risks. As a result, monetary policy will be calibrated as conditions evolve, rather than following a predetermined path. The ECB left borrowing costs unchanged for a fourth consecutive meeting in December 2025, with the main refinancing rate remaining at 2.15% and the deposit facility rate holding at 2%.
2026-01-22