Compare current VA refinance rates
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Weekly national mortgage interest rate trends
Current refinance rates
| 15 year fixed refinance | 6.00% | |
| 30 year fixed refinance | 6.61% |
Today’s VA refinance interest rates
For today, Wednesday, December 17, 2025, the national average 30-year VA refinance interest rate is 8.50%, down compared to last week’s rate of 8.60%.
VA refinance rates — like mortgage rates more generally — are expected to remain fairly stable through the early months of 2026. That means they're likely to be lower than VA refinance rates of recent years, but higher than their pandemic-era lows. The good news: VA loan rates are often — though not always — lower than their conventional counterparts.
National refinance rates by loan type
Mortgage refinance interest rates vary based on loan term, type and other factors.
| Product | Interest Rate | APR |
|---|---|---|
| 30-Year Fixed Rate | 6.52% | 6.59% |
| 30-Year Fixed-Rate VA | 8.50% | 8.62% |
| 30-Year Fixed-Rate FHA | 7.58% | 7.65% |
| 15-Year Fixed Rate | 5.93% | 6.02% |
Rates as of Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 6:30 AM
What factors impact VA refinance rates?
Like other types of loans, there are a variety of factors that affect VA loan refinance rates, including:
- Credit score and debt-to-income (DTI) ratio
- Type of refinance
- Loan amount and term
- Inflation, market conditions and other economic factors
Types of VA refinance loans
There are two main ways to refinance a VA loan:
- VA streamline refinance: Also called an Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL, pronounced “earl”), this type of VA refinance doesn’t require an appraisal or credit check. This can be a great option for VA borrowers who want to refinance to a lower rate.
- VA cash-out refinance: With a VA cash-out refinance, you can refinance your current mortgage — regardless of whether it's a VA loan or conventional loan — into a larger one, and get the difference between your old and new balance in cash.
How to find the best VA refinance rate
If you’re considering a VA refinance, there are several ways to help ensure you get the best possible rate. Here are our tips:
-
Improve your credit score
Your credit score is the single biggest factor determining your loan costs. If your score needs work, take steps to improve it before getting preapproved.
-
Pay down debt and build savings
Besides improving your credit score, a higher down payment and lower DTI ratio can help you get a lower rate. Here are tips to boost your savings and lower your debt ratio.
-
Shop around
The rates and fees charged by VA lenders can differ quite a bit. Even a slight rate reduction could translate to substantial savings over the life of your loan.
Who qualifies for a VA refinance loan?
To qualify for any VA loan, you’ll need to meet specific military service requirements and have a VA certificate of eligibility (COE). The service requirements generally are as follows:
- You’re currently on active military duty and have served at least 90 consecutive days;
- You're a veteran who was honorably discharged and meet the minimum service requirements (see link below), which vary depending on when you served;
- You are serving or have served in the National Guard or Selective Reserve and meet the minimum service requirements (see link below); or
- You're a surviving spouse and either you're eligible for certain types of VA compensation or your spouse is an active-duty service member who is missing in action or a prisoner of war.
Check out the VA's page on minimum service requirements.
Depending on the type of VA refinance you’re after, there might be additional requirements. For example, VA streamline refinances don’t require some underwriting verifications, but you need to confirm that you live or lived on the property. VA cash-out refinances, on the other hand, are allowed only on a primary residence where you currently live. Keep in mind, too, that lenders get to set their own criteria for borrowers.
Bankrate Expert FAQ
If you qualify for both a VA and a conventional refinance, which should you choose?
"Such a simple question, such a complicated answer. The right move depends on a variety of factors, including how much equity you have in your home and whether you qualify for a fee waiver from the VA. Compared to conventional loans, VA loans are a great deal in a couple of respects. The mortgage rate is competitive, and the loan-to-value requirements are flexible. The catch is that VA loans charge a funding fee that can range as high as 3.3% of the amount of the loan. However, some veterans don't have to pay the fee. If you were disabled in the service or earned a Purple Heart, the VA waives fees. In that case, the VA loan might be the best option for a refi."
"On the other hand, if you don't have service-related disability and your loan-to-value ratio on the new mortgage is 80% or less, it probably makes sense to go with a conventional loan and avoid the fees. If your loan-to-value ratio is more than 80%, the conventional loan requires private mortgage insurance. In that case, you'll need to compare the cost of PMI to the VA funding fee and see which makes more sense."
“Both routes have their perks, but for veterans, the best choice often favors VA loans for the PMI savings, simpler refinances and deeper equity access. Still, any potential applicant should run the numbers to be sure. For those with sufficient equity, or have needs beyond a primary home, a conventional mortgage path could be additionally attractive.”
Benefits of a VA refinance loan
A VA refinance loan can save you money and involve less paperwork compared to a conventional refinance. Here are some of the main benefits:
- Competitive rates: VA refinance rates are often lower in relation to other loan types, which can help maximize your savings.
- Low funding fee: The funding fee for a VA streamline refinance is just 0.5%.
- Quicker process: If you go the streamline refinance route, you’ll skip some of the usual steps in the underwriting process — including the appraisal, credit check and income verification.
FAQ
Additional VA refinance resources
Meet our Bankrate experts
Written by: Jeff Ostrowski, Writer & Housing Market Analyst
I cover mortgages and the housing market. Before joining Bankrate in 2020, I spent more than 20 years writing about real estate and the economy for the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Business Journal. I’ve had a front-row seat for two housing booms and a housing bust. I’ve twice won gold awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors, and since 2017 I’ve served on the nonprofit’s board of directors.
Edited by: Andrea Coombes, Editor, Home Lending
I have been a personal finance editor and writer for more than 20 years, and I'm a Certified Financial Planner™. My articles on real estate and other financial topics has been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, MarketWatch and many newspapers nationwide, and I've been interviewed on a broad range of money topics on local and national TV and radio, including NPR's All Things Considered, CBS News, NASDAQ and Marketplace.
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