Referencesatsen skal afspejle den gældende gennemsnitlige rentesats i de forskellige EFTA-stater, der er part i EØS-aftalen, for mellem- og langfristede lån (fem til ti år) med normal sikkerhed.
The reference rates are supposed to reflect the average level of interest rates charged, in the various EFTA States parties to the EEA Agreement, on medium and long-term loans (five to ten years) backed by normal security.