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
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
- 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.
The Northlight standard
- Highest APR
- 35.99%
- Time to repay
- 3 to 36 months
- Amounts
- $100 to $5,000
Example: $1,000 over 12 months at 35.99% APR is 12 payments of $100.46, $1,205.52 in total. Rates and terms
Key points
- Payday loans are legal in Florida and lenders must hold a state license.
- The most you can borrow on one payday loan is $500.
- Price rule: 10% of the amount advanced plus a verification fee of up to $5.
- 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. Check a lender’s license there before you share bank details; how to tell if a lender is legitimate lists the other checks.
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.
Federal law requires the lender to state the finance charge in dollars and the APR in your agreement. Read both before you sign, and set them beside the example further down this page.
A loan that meets the Northlight standard
Northlight works only with loans that carry an APR of 35.99% or less, fees included, and give you at least 3 months to repay. A single-payment payday loan under Florida law does not meet that standard, whatever its fee, because it falls due in one payment within weeks.
For example, $1,000 repaid over 12 months at 35.99% APR is 12 payments of $100.46, or $1,205.52 in total. The calculator prices other amounts and terms.
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.
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?
State law sets the price rule: 10% of the amount advanced plus a verification fee of up to $5. The lender must give you the finance charge in dollars and the APR in writing 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 offer payday loans in Florida?
No. Northlight is not a lender, and the loans we work with must carry an APR of 35.99% or less and run for at least 3 months. Single-payment payday loans do not meet that standard.
See the payment before you apply
Pick an amount and a term. The calculator shows the monthly payment, the total and the cost of credit at the highest APR we allow.
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, who regulates lenders and what a loan costs.
- DelawarePayday loans are legal in Delaware. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- IdahoPayday loans are legal in Idaho. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- 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.