Rechnerpilot Calculator

Current Account Calculator

Calculate credit interest, overdraft interest, excess overdraft interest, and account fees for your current account — free with calculation steps and day-exact precision.

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Inputs

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Calculate credit interestHow much interest does the balance in the current account earn?

Credit balance

€

Average balance in the account.

Credit interest p.a.

Interest rate on the balance.

Usage duration in days

Number of interest days.

Load example

For illustration only – your own calculation is what counts.

Explanation

How Current Account Calculator works

The current account calculator computes credit interest, overdraft interest, excess overdraft interest, and account maintenance fees for a current account. In combined mode, it shows the monthly overall balance.

The overdraft facility (Dispo) has been a persistent consumer protection issue for decades. While ECB key rates were at zero or negative between 2016 and 2022, overdraft rates at many banks remained at 9-14% — a margin that consumer advocates repeatedly criticized as disproportionate. The German parliament discussed a statutory cap several times (e.g., ECB key rate plus 5 percentage points) but has not implemented it so far. Section 504 BGB only obliges banks to provide transparent information about the granted overdraft limit, not to cap the interest rate. For consumers, this means: The overdraft rate must be actively compared and questioned.

A cheaper alternative to permanent overdraft use is the revolving credit facility (Rahmenkredit). It works similarly to an overdraft — money can be flexibly drawn and repaid — but typically lies 3-5 percentage points below the overdraft rate (currently usually 5-8% instead of 9-14%). Unlike an installment loan, there is no fixed term and no mandatory monthly payment. Anyone who regularly goes into the red should check whether a revolving credit at a direct bank or consolidation into an installment loan (with rates of 3-7%) reduces overall costs.

Interest calculation on the current account follows the current account method: Banks determine the daily balance and calculate interest day-exactly using the formula Amount times Rate times Days divided by 360 (commercial interest calculation, German 30/360 method). Settlement occurs quarterly — overdraft interest is debited from the account, credit interest is credited. Since the debit pushes the balance further into the red, a compound interest effect occurs that can additionally increase costs with prolonged overdraft use. This current account interest is legally regulated in Section 355 HGB.

Interest calculation (linear)Interest = Amount × interest rate × days / 360

All interest types on the current account are calculated linearly with a 360-day annual basis. No compound interest applies.

Knowledge

Understanding overdraft interest

How overdraft interest is calculated and when an installment loan is cheaper.

The overdraft facility (Dispo) is a granted overdraft limit on the current account. It offers flexibility but is one of the most expensive forms of credit. Interest is calculated daily and debited quarterly.

Overdraft rates are currently at 8-15% p.a.
Excess overdraft rates (beyond the limit) are another 2-4% higher.
Day-exact calculation: Amount x Rate x Days / 360.
Quarterly debit from the account.
From 2-3 months of use: Check consolidation into an installment loan.

Practice

Practical examples

For illustration only – your own calculation is what counts.

EUR 2,000 overdraft, 12% rate, 30 days

EUR 2,000 overdraft at 12% rate for 30 days. What does the overdraft cost?

Result: Overdraft interest costs: approx. EUR 20 for 30 days.

€1,000 overdraft€10.00

€2,000 overdraft€20.00

€5,000 overdraft€50.00

EUR 500 excess overdraft, 16%, 14 days

EUR 500 tolerated excess overdraft at 16% for 14 days.

Result: Excess overdraft interest: approx. EUR 3.11 for 14 days.

Total costs: EUR 3,000 balance, EUR 1,000 overdraft, EUR 5 fee

Current account with EUR 3,000 balance (0.5% credit rate), EUR 1,000 overdraft (11%), and EUR 5 monthly fee. Monthly balance.

Result: Credit interest approx. EUR 1.25, overdraft costs approx. EUR 9.17, fee EUR 5. Net: approx. -EUR 12.92.

EUR 15,000 balance, 0.5% credit interest, 30 days

EUR 15,000 balance in a checking account with 0.5% credit interest over 30 days.

Result: Credit interest: approx. EUR 6.25 for 30 days. On an overnight deposit account at 2% it would be approx. EUR 25.

EUR 5,000 overdraft for 90 days at 11%

EUR 5,000 overdraft used for 90 days at 11% overdraft rate.

Result: Overdraft costs: approx. EUR 137.50 for 90 days. An installment loan at 5% would have cost only approx. EUR 62.50.

10% overdraft rate€75.00

14% overdraft rate€105.00

Notes

Common mistakes

Using the overdraft as a permanent solution
The overdraft is intended as a short-term bridging loan (a few days to weeks). Anyone using it longer than 2-3 months pays unnecessarily high interest. An installment loan is almost always cheaper for permanent use.
With permanent overdraft use (over 2-3 months), consolidate into a cheaper installment loan.
Not noticing tolerated excess overdraft
When the account is drawn beyond the overdraft limit, even higher excess overdraft interest applies (often 2-4 percentage points above the overdraft rate). This additional burden is easily overlooked.
Check the account balance regularly and set up notifications for overdrafts.
Confusing current account credit interest with overnight deposit interest
Credit interest on the current account is minimal (0-0.5%). Larger balances should be moved to an overnight deposit account, which offers significantly better rates (1-3%).
Move excess balance to a separate overnight deposit account; keep only current spending needs in the current account.
Treating full overdraft limit as available money
The overdraft limit is not a balance but a loan. Those who regularly exhaust it pay continuous high interest and have no buffer for unexpected expenses.
Treat the overdraft only as an emergency reserve and repay as quickly as possible. Keep the emergency fund in an overnight deposit account.
Overlooking quarterly interest charges
Overdraft interest is charged quarterly to the account. This charge increases the negative balance and generates further interest. Those who ignore quarterly postings underestimate the actual costs.
Keep quarter dates in sight and reduce the overdraft before the settlement date if possible.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between overdraft and excess overdraft interest?

Overdraft interest applies to use of the granted overdraft limit. Excess overdraft interest (also: tolerated excess) applies when the account is drawn beyond the overdraft limit. It is typically 2-4 percentage points above the overdraft rate.

How is overdraft interest calculated?

Overdraft interest is calculated day-exactly: Amount x Rate x Days / 360. The bank uses the commercial method (360 days per year). Settlement typically occurs quarterly.

Is there still credit interest on current accounts?

Some banks again offer small credit interest (0.1-1% p.a.) on current accounts. The rate is typically much lower than overnight deposit rates. For larger balances, an overnight deposit account is more worthwhile.

When is an installment loan better than an overdraft?

When the overdraft is used for longer than 2-3 months, an installment loan is almost always cheaper. Installment loans have rates of 3-8%, overdrafts are at 8-15%. The loan calculator helps with the comparison.

How large is a typical overdraft limit?

The overdraft limit is usually 2-3 times the monthly net income. The bank sets it individually based on income, account history, and creditworthiness. There is no legal right to an overdraft.

Is overdraft interest calculated to the cent?

Yes. Banks calculate overdraft interest day-exactly using the formula Amount x Rate x Days / 360. Even single days in the red accrue interest. Settlement typically occurs quarterly and is debited from the account.

What is the difference between current account credit interest and overnight deposit interest?

Credit interest on the current account is usually much lower than overnight deposit rates (often 0-0.5% vs. 1-3%). For larger balances, transferring to a separate overnight deposit account is worthwhile. Only keep current spending needs in the current account.

Can the bank cancel the overdraft?

Yes. The bank can cancel or reduce the overdraft limit at any time since it is a revolving credit. With deteriorating creditworthiness, account seizure, or unusual account activity, this can happen without warning.

Limits

Limitations

No different account models shown: Different account models (Basic, Premium, Student) with different fee structures are not differentiated.
Simplified day-exact calculation: The calculator uses a fixed time period in days. Actual bank transactions with fluctuating balances are not modeled.
No additional fees considered: Fees for cash withdrawals, transfers, or credit cards are not included in the calculation.
No creditworthiness check: The calculator computes interest costs but does not check creditworthiness or the appropriateness of the overdraft limit.

Sources

Sources and references

§ 488 BGB — Darlehensvertrag (Dispositionskredit)Bundesministerium der Justiz
Legal basis for the overdraft facility as a loan agreement between bank and account holder.
View sourceRetrieved: 07/23/2026 · Verified on: 07/23/2026 · Primary source
§ 504 BGB — Eingeräumte ÜberziehungsmöglichkeitBundesministerium der Justiz
Special provisions for the overdraft facility for consumers, including the bank's information obligations.
View sourceRetrieved: 07/23/2026 · Verified on: 07/23/2026 · Primary source
BaFin — Informationen zu DispozinsenBundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin)
Regulatory information from the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority on overdraft facilities and consumer protection.
View sourceRetrieved: 07/23/2026 · Verified on: 07/23/2026 · Primary source
Verbraucherzentrale — DispositionskreditVerbraucherzentrale Bundesverband
Independent consumer information on overdraft rates, alternatives, and tips for avoiding high overdraft costs.
View sourceRetrieved: 07/23/2026 · Verified on: 07/23/2026

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