What to put on every invoice
- your legal name or business name, address, and tax or VAT number (if registered)
- the client's legal name and address (the entity in the contract, not the agency contact)
- a unique invoice number and the invoice date
- the PO or campaign reference, if they gave one
- itemised deliverables, usage and add-ons, with dates delivered
- amount, currency, and VAT/GST at the correct rate (or the exemption wording your country requires)
- payment terms and due date, e.g. "Due within 30 days of invoice date: [date]"
- bank details (IBAN/SWIFT) or payment link
- a late-payment line, e.g. "Late payments accrue statutory interest and compensation."
EU rules (Late Payment Directive 2011/7/EU)
- If no term is agreed, interest is automatically owed 30 days after the client receives your invoice.
- B2B terms longer than 60 days must be expressly agreed and not grossly unfair to you.
- You can charge interest at the statutory rate. For July–December 2026 these range from about 10% to 14.5% depending on the country.
- You can also charge a flat €40 per late invoice, plus reasonable recovery costs.
- A 2023 Commission proposal for a strict 30-day cap reportedly stalled in 2025 and may be withdrawn Check in-app.
UK
- If no date is agreed, payment is late after 30 days.
- Statutory interest is 8% + Bank of England base rate.
- Fixed compensation is £40 for debts under £1,000, £70 for £1,000–£9,999.99, and £100 for £10,000 or more.
Elsewhere (US, Australia, Canada): rules vary by state or province. Your contract terms carry more weight, so write the late fee in.