With international clients, a good contract carries more weight than with local clients: there is no physical proximity or common acquaintances that make it easy to resolve a misunderstanding informally.
Clauses that should not be missing
- Project scope: what's included and what isn't, to avoid unpaid "scope creep".
- Payment terms: currency, deadlines, what happens if payment is late, and whether there is a deposit.
- Intellectual property: when ownership of the delivered work transfers (normally after full payment).
- Governing law and jurisdiction: which legislation governs the contract in case of a dispute.
- Cancellation clause: what happens if the client or you cancel the project midway.
Own contract or that of the platform?
If you work through Upwork or Fiverr, the platform's terms already cover much of this. Outside the platform (direct dealing with the client), always write or adapt your own contract, even if it is short — a simple document signed by email greatly reduces the risk of non-payment or misunderstanding.
| Work path | Do you need your own contract? |
|---|---|
| Via Upwork/Fiverr | It is not usually essential, the platform terms already cover the basics |
| Direct dealings with the client | Yes, always — even if it's a short email document |
| Specific and low-cost project | It depends, but a written minimum reduces the risk equally |
| Long or high-value project | Yes, with all key clauses in writing |
Frequently asked questions
Is a freelance contract signed only by email valid?
Yes, an agreement by email or with a simple digital signature is valid as evidence of the agreement between the parties. What matters is that what was agreed is clear and in writing, not the exact signing method.
Which law applies if the client is in another country?
You can agree on the governing law in the contract itself (for example, Spanish law). Without that clause, determining which legislation applies in a dispute gets quite complicated — which is why it's best to always include it from the start.
