Mini Loan Costs 2026: What You Really Pay

Mini loans (Minikredit) are the quickest way to bridge short-term financial shortfalls. But what does a mini loan really cost? In this comprehensive comparison we show you all the costs, interest and hidden fees of the most popular providers in Germany.

What is a mini loan?

A mini loan (also called a small loan, short-term loan or quick loan) is a loan with:

• Loan amount: €100 to €3,000
• Term: 15 to 90 days (standard: 30 days)
• Payout: often within 24 hours
• Purpose: freely chosen

Unlike classic instalment loans, a mini loan is repaid in one lump sum – ideal for short-term liquidity gaps.

---

Mini loan costs: the main providers compared

Provider	Loan amount	Interest (eff.)	Standard fees	Express option	Instalment option
Cashper	€100 - 3,000	13.40% - 13.60%	€0	+€39 - 99	no public price list
Ferratum	Credit line	Rep. example: 24.36% (€1,500, 12 months)	–	no public price list	Instalment payment
VEXCASH	€100 - 1,000 (new customers), up to €3,000 (existing customers)	11.13%	€0	Smart package (paid)	up to 3 months (new customers)
novum Bank	€100 - 1,000	10.00%	€0	+€69	+€39
Minikredit.de	€100 - 1,500	13.90%	€0	+€49 - 99	+€29 - 59

As of: Cashper, VEXCASH and Ferratum according to the providers’ websites in October 2026; we could not re-check novum Bank and Minikredit.de – compare the terms directly with the provider before signing.

Note: express payout (24h instead of 2–5 working days) and the instalment option (repayment in 2–3 instalments instead of one sum) are paid extras that can make the mini loan considerably more expensive.

---

Example calculation: what does a €500 mini loan cost?

Scenario 1: standard mini loan (30 days)

Item	Amount
Loan amount	€500.00
Interest (13.90% p.a., 30 days)	~€5.75
Total cost	~€5.75
Repayment	€505.75

Scenario 2: with express payout + instalment option

Item	Amount
Loan amount	€500.00
Interest (13.90% p.a., 60 days)	~€11.50
Express payout (24h)	€69.00
2-instalment option	€39.00
Total cost	~€119.50
Repayment	€619.50

⚠️ Warning: the additional options can increase the cost of the loan twentyfold! Use express and instalments only if really necessary.

---

The hidden costs of mini loans

1. Express payout (instant payout)

Standard payout takes 2–5 working days at most providers. Anyone who needs the money faster pays extra:

• Cashper: paid express option (price depending on loan amount)
• VEXCASH: “Smart package” for priority processing; according to the provider, the costs come on top of those shown in the effective annual interest rate

Check the specific fee in the application process – it is not included in the effective annual interest rate.

2. Instalment option (2-week instalment / multiple instalments)

Instead of one repayment at the end of the term, you can pay in instalments. Costs:

• 30-day instalment: €29 - €49
• 60-day instalment: €39 - €79
• 2-month instalment: €49 - €89

3. Reminder fees for late payment

• First reminder: €10 - €15
• Second reminder: €15 - €25
• Debt collection: variable costs + 5% default interest

---

When is a mini loan worthwhile?

✅ A mini loan makes sense for:

• A short-term liquidity gap (e.g. your salary only arrives in a few days)
• Unexpected bills under €1,000
• When it is certain you can repay at the end of the month
• One-off emergencies

❌ A mini loan is not a good choice for:

• Regular financial shortfalls
• Sums over €3,000 (an instalment loan is cheaper)
• If you need express + instalment option
• Consumer spending with no urgency

---

Cheaper alternatives to the mini loan

Alternative	Cost	Advantages	Disadvantages
Overdraft (Dispo)	9-15% p.a.	Available immediately	Expensive in the long run
Instalment loan €1,000-5,000	3-7% eff.	Cheapest interest	Longer processing time
Credit card with partial payment	12-20% p.a.	Flexible	Interest costs on partial payment
Revolving credit line (Rahmenkredit)	5-10% p.a.	Can be drawn at any time	Not available at all banks

---

Tips: how to save on mini loan costs

1. Use the standard term: do without express and the instalment option
2. Compare several providers: interest rates differ considerably
3. Repay on time: avoid reminder fees
4. Borrow only what you need: smaller sum = less interest
5. Improve your credit score: better terms with a good Schufa score (the German credit bureau)

---

Legal framework: consumer loans under the German Civil Code

Mini loans are legally consumer loans and subject to sections 491 et seq. of the German Civil Code (BGB). That has concrete consequences for you: before the contract is concluded, the provider must give you the prescribed European standard information on costs, term and repayment. It must state the effective annual interest rate in accordance with the Price Indication Ordinance (PAngV) and check your creditworthiness under section 505a BGB. Under section 495 BGB you generally have a 14-day right of withdrawal for consumer loans; the period only begins once you have received all mandatory information. Anyone who withdraws must repay the loan paid out and pay the agreed borrowing rate for the period until repayment.

The right to early repayment under section 500(2) BGB is also important. You can repay a consumer loan in full or in part at any time. Under certain conditions the provider may demand a prepayment penalty, but this is limited by law. The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) supervises credit institutions. In its company database you can check whether a provider holds a licence or cooperates with a bank.

---

How the effective rate misleads on short terms

The effective annual rate is meant as a comparison figure, but it says little for very short terms. An example: on a mini loan of 500 euros for 30 days at 13.9% a year, only a little over 5 euros of interest accrues. That looks insignificant. Once additional fees are added, however, the picture changes sharply. An express payout for 69 euros on a loan of 500 euros means 13.8 percent of the loan amount just for a faster transfer. If you simply extrapolate this fee to a year (69 ÷ 500 × 365 ÷ 30), the arithmetic result is more than 160 percent per year.

This is not an official figure, but it shows why you should never ignore extra fees. Always compare total costs in euros, not just the interest rate: what do you repay in total if you book exactly the options you need? Also ask whether booked extra packages are included in the effective annual rate. Under the PAngV, all costs the consumer must pay in connection with the loan must be included; optional services the consumer chooses voluntarily, however, can be shown separately.

---

When the money runs out: default and the debt trap

It becomes critical if you cannot repay the loan on the due date. In the event of late payment the provider may charge default interest; for consumer loans it is five percentage points above the base rate under section 288(1) BGB. Reminder fees are added, which are permitted only up to the amount of costs actually incurred. Flat fees that are considerably higher may be inadmissible. If you do not respond to reminders, the provider can pass the claim to a debt collection agency or apply for a payment order, and Schufa may record negative entries if the conditions for that are met.

The biggest risk is chain borrowing: one mini loan replaces the next because money is short again at the end of the month. You then pay interest and fees repeatedly without solving the actual problem. In that case, seek help early from a free debt advice service run by local authorities or welfare organisations. That is not an admission of failure but often the quickest way to put payments in order and negotiate with creditors.

---

Recognising reputable providers and avoiding traps

Be careful with offers that promise money without any checks, demand fees in advance or communicate only by messenger. Reputable providers state their registered office, commercial register number and supervisory authority in the legal notice. Under section 655c BGB, a credit broker may demand remuneration only if the loan is actually concluded; advance payment for an alleged processing fee or insurance is a warning sign. You should also avoid loans from abroad without a German licence, because you may lack protection rights in a dispute.

Ask specific questions before signing: what is the total amount I repay? Which options cost extra? What happens in the event of default? How does the Schufa enquiry work: is it a conditions enquiry with no effect on the score, or a credit enquiry that may be visible in the report? Read the pre-contract information in full and save the contract documents as a PDF. If you are unsure, allow a day to think before signing; genuine emergencies exist, but people rarely decide well under time pressure.

---

Conclusion: mini loan costs at a glance

A mini loan can be a quick solution for short-term shortfalls – if you assess the costs realistically:

Loan type	Total cost (€500, 30 days)
Standard mini loan	€5-10
With express payout	€45-110
With express + instalments	€85-180

Our tip: use the standard mini loan without additional options. If you need express payout or instalments, check whether a classic instalment loan with lower interest is not the better choice.

---

Frequently asked questions about mini loan costs

What does a 100 euro loan cost?

With a €100 mini loan with a 30-day term you pay about €1-2 in interest. With the express option the cost rises to €40-70.

Can I get a mini loan despite a negative Schufa entry?

Some providers advertise a Schufa-neutral enquiry or grant mini loans even with limited creditworthiness – then usually only small sums and often against paid extra packages. A credit check still takes place.

How quickly do I get the money?

• Standard: 2–5 working days after identification
• Express (paid): within 24 hours

What changes from 20 November 2026?

The new EU Consumer Credit Directive (Directive (EU) 2023/2225) applies from 20 November 2026. It brings micro-loans under €200 and interest-free loans with fees more strongly within consumer protection, for example with regard to information duties and creditworthiness assessment. How this will affect the fees of mini loan providers remains to be seen.

Can I repay the mini loan early?

Yes, with most providers early repayment is possible free of charge. This saves you the pro-rata interest.