Payday loans in Florida
Payday loans are legal in Florida. A licensed lender may lend up to $500 and charge no more than 10% of the amount advanced plus a verification fee of up to $5. Every figure on this page was checked against Florida law on November 10, 2026.
- Status
- Legal
- Maximum loan
- $500
- APR, 14-day loan
- 391%
Florida payday loan rules at a glance
- Legal status
- Legal
- Maximum loan
- $500
- Loan term
- (7 to 31 days)
- Maximum fee
- 10% of the amount advanced plus a verification fee of up to $5
- APR on a 14-day $100 loan
- 391%
- Loans at one time
- One at a time, tracked in a statewide database
- Rollovers
- Not allowed
- Cooling-off period
- 24 hours after each loan
- Governing law
- Fla. Stat. §§ 560.402 et seq.
Checked against Florida law on November 10, 2026.
What a $300 payday loan costs in Florida
- You borrow
- $300.00
- Fee
- $35.00
- You repay in 14 days
- $335.00
Based on Florida's maximum fee, repaid in one payment. Your lender's price may differ.
The short version
- Payday loans are legal in Florida and lenders must hold a state license.
- The most you can borrow on one loan is $500.
- The legal maximum on a $100, 14-day loan is $15, which is 391% APR.
- Florida Office of Financial Regulation handles licensing questions and complaints.
On this page
Are payday loans legal in Florida?
Payday loans are legal in Florida. A licensed lender may lend up to $500 and charge no more than 10% of the amount advanced plus a verification fee of up to $5.
The governing law is Fla. Stat. §§ 560.402 et seq… Florida Office of Financial Regulation licenses lenders and takes complaints.
Loan limits in Florida
- Loan size: up to $500
- Loan term: 7 to 31 days
- Loans at one time: One at a time, tracked in a statewide database
- Rollovers: Not allowed
- Cooling-off period: 24 hours after each loan
What a payday loan costs in Florida
State law sets the price rule: 10% of the amount advanced plus a verification fee of up to $5.
On a $100 loan repaid after 14 days, the most a lender may charge is $15. You would repay $115, an APR of 391%. For comparison, most credit cards charge between 20% and 30% APR.
Before you deal with an online lender
- Look the company up with Florida Office of Financial Regulation. No license, no loan.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan. That is the mark of an advance-fee scam.
- Read the agreement for the finance charge, the APR and the due date before you give out bank details.
If you cannot repay a loan in Florida
Contact the lender before the due date and ask for a payment plan in writing. If a lender or collector breaks the rules, file a complaint with Florida Office of Financial Regulation and with the CFPB. Our guide to what happens if you don’t pay covers each step.
Lower-cost options in Florida
- Credit union payday alternative loans (PALs): $200 to $2,000 at no more than 28% APR.
- A payment plan with the landlord, utility or hospital you owe often costs nothing.
- Local assistance: dial 211 for rent, utility and food programs near you.
See all payday loan alternatives or work out a loan’s price with the cost calculator.
Good to know
Florida also allows installment-style deferred presentment loans of up to $1,000 repaid over 60 to 90 days.
Free help in Florida
- 211Free, confidential referrals to local help with rent, utilities and food. Call 211.
- USA.gov: help paying billsGovernment programs for rent, energy, phone and medical bills.
- National Foundation for Credit CounselingNonprofit credit counselors who can set up a debt management plan. Call 800-388-2227.
- CFPB complaint portalFile a federal complaint about a lender or a debt collector.
Common questions
Are payday loans legal in Florida?
Yes. Payday loans are legal in Florida under Fla. Stat. §§ 560.402 et seq., and lenders need a state license.
How much can I borrow with a payday loan in Florida?
Up to $500 on a single loan.
What does a payday loan cost in Florida?
At the legal maximum, a $100 loan for 14 days costs $15. That equals an APR of 391%. A lender may charge less, so compare before you sign.
Can I roll over a payday loan in Florida?
State rule on rollovers: Not allowed. A rollover adds a new fee without reducing what you owe.
Can I be arrested for not repaying a payday loan in Florida?
No. Not paying a loan is a civil matter, not a crime. A lender can still sue you in civil court, so never ignore a court summons.
Where do I complain about a lender in Florida?
Contact Florida Office of Financial Regulation. You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Does Northlight lend money?
No. Northlight is an information site. We explain the rules and the costs; we do not make loans or credit decisions.
Sources
Keep reading
- GeorgiaPayday loans are not legal in Georgia. Learn what the law says, why online offers are risky and which lower-cost options you can use instead.
- Washington, DCPayday loans are not legal in Washington, DC. Learn what the law says, why online offers are risky and which lower-cost options you can use instead.
- HawaiiHawaii caps small loans at 36% APR, so high-cost payday loans are not offered. See what is allowed, what it costs and the alternatives.
- DelawarePayday loans are legal in Delaware. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow and where to complain. Checked against state law in November 2026.
- IdahoPayday loans are legal in Idaho. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow and where to complain. Checked against state law in November 2026.
- ConnecticutPayday loans are not legal in Connecticut. Learn what the law says, why online offers are risky and which lower-cost options you can use instead.