How to pay freelancers: A simple guide for international transfers

How to pay freelancers: A simple guide for international transfers

How to pay freelancers: A simple guide for international transfers

How to pay freelancers: A simple guide for international transfers

How to pay freelancers: A simple guide for international transfers

How to pay freelancers: A simple guide for international transfers

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.

Start paying your freelancers the easy way

Open your Altery account and send fast, low-fee international payments in just a few clicks.

Start paying your freelancers the easy way

Open your Altery account and send fast, low-fee international payments in just a few clicks.

Start paying your freelancers the easy way

Open your Altery account and send fast, low-fee international payments in just a few clicks.

Start paying your freelancers the easy way

Open your Altery account and send fast, low-fee international payments in just a few clicks.

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!

Make freelancer payments stress-free

Set up your Altery account today and handle cross-border transfers securely and instantly.

Make freelancer payments stress-free

Set up your Altery account today and handle cross-border transfers securely and instantly.

Make freelancer payments stress-free

Set up your Altery account today and handle cross-border transfers securely and instantly.

Make freelancer payments stress-free

Set up your Altery account today and handle cross-border transfers securely and instantly.

Altery is a registered trademark of ALTERY LTD, an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), FCA reference number 901037. ALTERY LTD will protect your funds through the safeguarding method and not the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

All rights reserved. © 2025

Altery is a registered trademark of ALTERY LTD, an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), FCA reference number 901037. ALTERY LTD will protect your funds through the safeguarding method and not the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

All rights reserved. © 2025

Altery is a registered trademark of ALTERY LTD, an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), FCA reference number 901037. ALTERY LTD will protect your funds through the safeguarding method and not the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

All rights reserved. © 2025

Altery is a registered trademark of ALTERY LTD, an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), FCA reference number 901037. ALTERY LTD will protect your funds through the safeguarding method and not the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

All rights reserved. © 2025