Note: this content is general, educational information, not individualized legal, tax or employment advice. Conditions at each company and country change frequently; always verify current figures and requirements against the official source before making a decision.
Pricing for international clients is a different exercise than pricing locally — the market, currency and client expectations all shift at once.
Hourly vs. project-based
Project-based pricing usually pays better once you have enough experience to estimate accurately, since it rewards speed instead of penalizing it. Hourly is safer when scope is genuinely unclear or likely to change.
How to set your starting rate
- Research rates on the platform or market you're targeting, not your local market rate — international clients often have very different budgets.
- Price in the client's currency when possible, and factor in currency swings if you're not.
- Raise your rate for new clients every few projects once you have a track record — existing clients are a separate conversation.
