30 days net is the standard payment term for UK freelance work. 14 days is right if you are a small freelancer with cashflow pressure. 45 days or more is acceptable for larger projects or corporate clients. Anything longer than 60 days is a red flag.
The 7 standard payment terms
- Due on receipt: sole traders with cashflow pressure
- 7 days: small one-off projects, new clients
- 14 days: standard for sole traders, agencies
- 30 days: most common in B2B, the default for many industries
- 45 days: common with larger companies, government
- 60 days: common in publishing, some construction
- 90 days: usually a red flag, negotiate down
Why 30 days is the default
The UK Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 sets statutory interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate. The 30-day norm emerged because: it is short enough that a freelancer has working capital, it is long enough that a corporate client's AP team can process the invoice in a normal monthly run, it matches the accounting periods most businesses use.
What to put on the invoice
The "Payment terms" line should say: "Payment terms: 30 days" (or whatever you have agreed), "Late payment interest: 8% above Bank of England base rate" (per the Late Payment Act 1998), "Payment due by: [date]" — the actual date, not just "30 days".
What to do when an invoice goes late
- Day 1-7 late: polite reminder
- Day 8-14 late: firm reminder
- Day 15-30 late: final notice
- Day 30+ late: statutory demand
- Day 60+ late: stop work / suspend service, send a final notice via recorded delivery
Frequently asked
What is the standard payment term for UK freelance invoices?
30 days net is the standard for UK freelance work. 14 days is right for small freelancers with cashflow pressure. 45 days or more is acceptable for larger projects or corporate clients.
What is the statutory late payment interest rate?
8% above the Bank of England base rate. With the base rate at 3.75% in 2026, the current statutory rate is 11.75% per year. Set by the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998.
What if the client asks for 60 days?
Negotiate. "I can do 30 days, or 45 days at 5% extra." If the work is large enough, the discount pays for the cashflow cost.
Written by Invosi Editorial.