The answer depends on where you are, what you agreed to, and whether you put it in writing. In most cases, the payment timeline is whatever your invoice or contract says, not a fixed legal number.
The US: no federal payment deadline
In the United States, there is no federal law setting a default payment deadline for commercial invoices. The deadline is whatever was agreed in your contract. If your contract specifies Net 30, the client has 30 days. If your contract specifies Net 14, the client has 14 days. If a client demands 60 or 90 days, those terms are only legally binding if agreed upfront in a signed contract.
If no terms were specified, the deadline defaults to a court-defined “reasonable time,” typically 30 days. Relying on uncodified defaults makes enforcement harder, so contract language is your primary protection.
Understanding common payment terms
Payment timelines follow standard billing definitions:
- Net 15: Payment due within 15 days. Many freelancers use Net 15 to normalize faster cash flow without client friction.
- Net 30: The standard commercial timeline across most business sectors.
- Net 60: Common with enterprise clients requiring extended accounts payable workflows.
- Due on receipt: Payment expected immediately upon delivery, ideal for deposits or final project handoffs.
The UK: 30-day statutory default
The UK’s Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 sets a 30-day default payment period for B2B transactions when no other payment period is agreed. If your invoice has no stated terms, the client has 30 days to pay by law. Once the invoice is overdue, statutory interest applies automatically at 8% above the Bank of England base rate, and you do not need a contract clause specifying it. You can also claim a fixed debt recovery fee (£40–£100) for administrative costs. Payment terms exceeding 60 days must be shown to be fair.
The EU: Late Payment Directive
The EU’s Late Payment Directive (2011/7/EU) sets a similar 30-day default for B2B transactions, extendable to 60 days by agreement. Statutory interest applies automatically from the day after the payment deadline, at 8% above the European Central Bank reference rate. Individual EU member states implement this with slight local variations, but 30-day defaults apply broadly across member countries.
What this means for your freelance invoices
Regardless of your jurisdiction, putting clear rules on every invoice protects your business cash flow:
State your terms explicitly on every invoice. Writing “Payment due within 14 days” or “Net 30” on your invoice creates a clear, legally binding deadline for your client.
Include a late fee clause. In the United States, an explicit late fee clause is your primary legal leverage for handling overdue invoices. In the UK and EU, statutory interest applies automatically even without a clause, but having your own stated rate often prompts clients to pay before you ever need to invoke statutory rates.
Calculate and display the exact due date. Write “Payment due: June 10, 2025” rather than only stating “Net 14.” Providing a specific calendar date removes any potential ambiguity.
Use automated payment reminders and open tracking. Waco3 sends automated payment reminders based on your chosen due date: three days prior, on the due date, and after the invoice becomes past due. Crucially, Waco3 provides real-time open notifications when clients open and view your invoice. This creates a timestamped record that confirms delivery and receipt, offering clear empirical evidence to support your position if payment timing is ever disputed by a client.
What to do when an invoice is overdue
- Send a polite overdue notice the day after the due date.
- Send a firmer notice at 7 days overdue citing your late fee.
- At 14 days overdue, call the client directly.
- At 30+ days overdue, consult a collections agency or small claims court.
Systematic follow-up, not legal threats, resolves the majority of late payment situations.
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