Starting August 1, 2026, consumers in Aruba will benefit from important new protection: a maximum percentage of 25% on consumer credit granted as of August 1, 2026. With this, for the first time, a legal limit exists on the interest and costs that can be charged on credit—whether cash credit, goods credit, or when pawning items.
This regulation is introduced through the entry into force of Article 5 of the National Ordinance on Consumer Credit Regulation (Landsverordening Regeling Consumentenkrediet – LCK). This article forms the legal basis for regulating the cost of credit and preventing situations where consumers face excessive financial burdens.
Before this regulation, Aruba did not have a legal limit on the cost of consumer credit. The entry into force of this regulation marks an important milestone in a process that began during the previous cabinet, when Minister Geoffrey Wever served as Minister of Economic Affairs. During that period, preparations, investigations, and dialogues with stakeholders were initiated. Now, following the preparatory work, the regulation finally enters into force and becomes a reality for consumers in Aruba.
The maximum consumer credit interest rate of 25% stipulated is the central element of the first phase of the LCK implementation. With this legal limit, the government clearly establishes how high interest and credit costs can go, giving consumers greater security and protection in the financial market.
“With the introduction of the 25% maximum, we are setting a clear limit to protect the consumer. This is a historic step in strengthening consumer rights in Aruba. It is also an important milestone in a process we initiated during the previous cabinet and which now finally enters into force for the benefit of all consumers,” stated the Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs, and Primary Sector, Mr. Geoffrey Wever.
The ministerial regulation based on Article 5 also establishes rules for late payment fees (vertragingsvergoeding), early loan repayments (vervroegde aflossing), and extrajudicial collection costs (buitengerechtelijke incassokosten).
According to Minister Wever, the introduction of the 25% maximum creates a better balance between consumer protection and credit availability.
“We recognize that many families and individuals depend on access to credit. For that reason, we do not want to limit access to financing, but we do want to prevent consumers from paying excessive costs. The 25% maximum creates the balance between protection and access.”
Minister Wever emphasized that the entry into force of Article 5 does not mean the entire National Ordinance on Consumer Credit Regulation (LCK) comes into force immediately. The other important components of the law will be implemented in a subsequent phase.
Other components of the LCK to be implemented later include broader information obligations for credit providers, standards for responsible credit granting, the introduction of a credit register, and supervision and enforcement instruments.
“We are starting with the component that has the most direct impact on the consumer: the 25% maximum limit on the cost of credit. We are starting with this limit for the period from August 1, 2026, until the end of December 2027. Afterward, the other important components that form part of the LCK will follow,” Minister Wever declared.
“We chose to implement this regulation carefully to maintain a balance between consumer protection and market stability. We want to protect the consumer and at the same time recognize the importance of businesses that offer credit to many families and individuals. For this reason, we will continue to monitor the impact of the regulation and carefully evaluate the effects.”
For now, the introduction of the 25% legal maximum primarily has a civil law effect. This means consumers can invoke the new legal norm before a judge when a credit provider fails to comply with the established limit. With the gradual implementation of the other provisions of the LCK, including supervision, competent authorities will be able to oversee compliance with the law and, when necessary, directly intervene against violations.
With the introduction of the 25% legal maximum, the AVP-Futuro Cabinet provides consumers with concrete and immediate protection and stimulates a level playing field in this market segment, while Aruba continues to work on the gradual implementation of the other important components of the National Ordinance on Consumer Credit Regulation. Minister Geoffrey Wever extends his thanks to the Central Bank of Aruba (Centrale Bank van Aruba) and the Department of Legislation and Legal Affairs (Directie Wetgeving en Juridische Zaken) for the work done.