Book I: GENERAL PROVISIONS

The rate of default interest referred to in Article L. 2192-13 is equal to the interest rate applied by the European Central Bank to its most recent main refinancing operations, in force on the first day of the half-year of the calendar year during which the default interest began to accrue, increased by eight percentage points.

Interest on arrears shall accrue from the day following the expiry of the payment period or the due date stipulated in the contract, up to and including the date on which the principal is paid.

Interest on arrears applied to payments on account or to the balance is calculated on the total amount of the payment on account or the balance, all taxes included, less the guarantee deduction, and after application of the discounting, revision and penalty clauses.

In the event of disagreement over the amount of an advance payment or the balance, payment is made within the time limits set out in articles R. 2192-10 and R. 2192-11 on the provisional basis of the sums accepted by the contracting authority. When the sums thus paid are less than those finally due to the creditor, the latter is entitled to interest on arrears calculated on the difference.

The amount of the fixed indemnity for collection costs is set at 40 euros.

Interest on arrears and the fixed indemnity for recovery costs shall be paid within forty-five days of payment of the principal.