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.
Chasing an unpaid invoice across borders is far harder than doing it locally — the real fix is preventing it before the project starts.
Before the project starts
- Always require a deposit (30-50%) upfront before starting real work — this alone filters out most non-serious clients.
- Use a written contract, even a simple one, with clear payment milestones tied to deliverables.
- Check the client's online presence (real company, reviews, history) before committing significant time.
During the project
Break large projects into milestones with payment due at each one, rather than a single payment at the very end — it caps your exposure if something goes wrong partway through.