Zara Chechi
27 Aug 2025
Reading time:
11 min
Freelancers are key to many businesses, providing important skills to further your goals. But when it comes to paying them, especially if they’re abroad, it can get tricky. The good news? It doesn’t have to be.
Here’s a clear guide on how to easily handle international payments to freelancers—so you can focus on getting great work done.
Choose the right payment method
When paying freelancers internationally, you’ve got a few options. The key is to pick a method that’s fast, low-cost and secure.
Bank transfers: These can work well but might come with high fees, especially for international payments. Plus, they can take a few days to process.
Digital solutions (like Altery): A great choice for cross-border payments. You can send money instantly, with lower fees than traditional banks, and support multiple currencies.
PayPal or Wise: These platforms are widely used and provide a simple way to pay, but watch out for transaction fees, which can add up.
Use multi-currency accounts
Freelancers often work with clients from different countries, so they may prefer to be paid in a particular currency. A multi-currency wallet (like Altery’s) lets you hold, send and receive money in different currencies—USD, EUR, GBP—making it super easy to pay your freelancer in their preferred currency without expensive conversion fees.
Agree on payment terms upfront
Discuss anything related to the payment early on to avoid any confusion for either side further down the line. Honest conversations around money will also help you cultivate strong working relationships with your freelancers. We suggest you:
Clarify the currency: Always agree on which currency the payment will be made in.
Confirm the payment schedule: Whether it’s per project, per milestone or monthly, set clear expectations.
Account for fees: If there are transaction fees, discuss who will cover these. Some freelancers may expect you to cover them, while others might not mind.
Be mindful of payment timing
Some payment methods, especially international bank transfers, might take several days to process. Be aware of this transfer time and plan accordingly, so your freelancer gets paid on time.
Consider tax implications
Paying freelancers in different countries may involve tax rules, depending on where both you and your freelancer are based. Check with a tax advisor to ensure you’re compliant, but a good rule of thumb is to request an invoice for every payment. This helps with your own accounting and maintains transparency.
Paying your freelancers shouldn’t be a headache. With Altery, it’s smooth and super easy. Take the stress out of payments and get started today!
Keep records of every transaction
We recommend keeping records of invoices, receipts and any communication related to these freelancer payments. This is helpful for taxes and for any payment disputes that may crop up. Whether you’re making mass payments or just paying one freelancer, it’s important to track all of these transactions.
Simplify payments with Altery
We think that paying freelancers, especially internationally, doesn’t need to be stressful. By choosing the right payment method, deciding on the payment terms upfront and maintaining accurate records, you can make the process easy and straightforward. And with platforms like Altery, international transfers are fast, easy,and secure—perfect for keeping your freelance collaborations running smoothly.
Need help managing payments? Check out Altery’s digital payment solutions and make your next payment to a freelancer hassle-free!