When we talk about interest rates in Slovenia, we almost always talk about loans. That makes sense, because when EURIBOR rises, monthly instalments on mortgages rise as well, which people feel directly and painfully. Less obvious, however, is that a rising EURIBOR also affects deposits, often much more than we imagine. If a rise in EURIBOR means a burden for borrowers, that same change can mean an opportunity for savers.

Where we are now

EURIBOR bottomed out in early 2026 and has turned upward since then. The main reason is a turn by the European Central Bank, which tightened monetary policy again in mid-2026 amid inflationary pressure, after cutting rates for roughly two years before that. You can always check the current EURIBOR values and how interest rates in Slovenia are moving on the macro overview page.

Where next? Toward the end of 2026, the prevailing market forecasts suggest EURIBOR is close to a peak

  • a period of stabilisation and gradual easing looks more likely than further sharp increases. That is the central scenario; a new energy or inflation shock could reverse it. Interest-rate forecasts change often, so treat them as a direction, not a fact.

What EURIBOR is and why it affects deposits

EURIBOR is the price of money, or the interest rate at which European banks lend money to one another. When it rises, it means conditions are tightening, liquidity is becoming more expensive, and banks are becoming more cautious. In such an environment, banks start relying more on household deposits because they are more stable, predictable, and relatively cheaper than other sources. This makes it easier for banks to maintain lending activity and balance-sheet stability, while also reducing their dependence on short-term and more volatile interbank funding.

Why banks raise interest rates on deposits

When EURIBOR rises, borrowing for banks on the interbank market becomes more expensive. If a bank can get money from a customer at 1.5%, that is often better than borrowing it on the market at 2 % or more. That is why banks start raising interest rates on deposits, not because they want to be generous, but because the economics push them to do so.

Why interest rates on deposits often rise with a delay

Interest rates on deposits do not rise immediately when EURIBOR rises. One reason is the structure of the Slovenian banking market: for years, banks have had excess liquidity, and a lot of money sits in demand accounts where it either earns no interest or only minimal interest. If banks do not urgently need deposits, they will not chase them with higher interest rates either.

The second reason is psychological: Slovenians rarely switch banks, and deposits are “sticky”. Banks therefore often wait for the competition to make the first move. When one bank raises interest, the others follow, but always with a delay.

When real competition between banks begins

When EURIBOR keeps rising - which has been the case since the start of 2026 - sooner or later interest paid on deposits also starts to rise. It usually starts with smaller banks, which have a greater need for liquidity. Large banks follow when conditions tighten enough or when deposits start flowing out.

In such a period, the differences between banks usually grow, so it pays to compare offers. There is nothing wrong with having an account at one bank and a deposit at another. For a quick overview of offers, use the deposit comparison.

What rising interest rates mean for a saver

In a period when interest rates are higher than a year ago and, according to forecasts, close to a peak, the deposit term has a strong effect on your final return:

  • A long term (24-36 months) locks you into today’s rate. That is favourable if rates fall later, and unfavourable if they keep rising.
  • A short term (3-6 months) keeps you flexible - on renewal you can catch any higher rates, but if rates fall you will get less when you renew.

During a period of rapid increases, a short term was almost always the sensible choice. Now that forecasts point more to a peak than to further sharp growth, the choice is no longer clear-cut - it depends on when you will need the money and how much uncertainty you are willing to accept. To model your own scenario, use the deposit calculator.

Example: how much the difference in the interest rate means

Let’s say you have €10,000. If you get 1.5% interest today, you will receive €150 after one year. But if the interest rate rises to 2 % in a few months, you will receive €200 for the same term. The difference is €50. At €50,000, the difference is already €250, and at €100,000 it is €500. To calculate your own scenario, use the deposit calculator.

Why money in a demand account is often the most expensive decision

Another common mistake is that people leave money in a demand account where it earns no interest at all. If inflation is 3 % and the interest on a demand account is 0 %, that means your money loses roughly 3 % of its real value every year. It is a silent cost that most people do not even notice because it does not show up on the statement. To get a more concrete sense of how much this can cost you, use the opportunity cost calculator.