How to bill clients as a freelancer in Spain

Getting paid as a freelancer can be harder than doing the actual work.

Whether you’re new to freelancing or have been juggling clients for years, one thing’s certain: figuring out how to bill clients as a freelancer is essential to getting paid on time, avoiding awkward conversations, and maintaining a steady cash flow. 

From choosing the right billing model to deciding which payment methods to accept—like Bizum if you’re based in Spain—there’s more to freelancing than sending an invoice and crossing your fingers. Knowing how to efficiently and securely receive payments as a freelancer can make all the difference in staying profitable.

In this guide, you’ll learn the most important things to get right when billing clients, how to avoid common mistakes, and the best ways to save time and get paid faster.

Table of contents

• How to bill clients as a freelancer
• Set your freelance rates and billing structure
• Best payment methods for freelancers in Spain
• Types of payment systems to use in your freelance business
• How to receive payments as a freelancer (without delays)
• Avoid cash flow issues as a freelancer in Spain
• Automate your billing to save time
• Bill clients and receive payments as a freelancer with MONEI

How to bill clients as a freelancer

Learning how to bill clients as a freelancer is one of the most important steps to running a sustainable business. Billing isn’t just about sending an invoice—it covers everything from setting your payment terms to choosing the right payment methods and making sure you receive your money on time.

If you’re based in Spain, you’ll often hear the word "autónomo" instead of freelancer. As an autónomo, you’re legally required to issue proper invoices (known as facturas) for every service you provide. These invoices must include details like VAT (IVA), income tax (IRPF), and your freelance registration information to comply with Spanish regulations.

If you haven’t registered as a freelancer in Spain yet, the process is relatively straightforward but necessary. You’ll need to register with both the Agencia Tributaria (Tax Agency) and the Social Security system (Seguridad Social). This allows you to operate legally, invoice clients properly, and contribute to taxes and social benefits. 

Once registered, you’ll be ready to work with clients and bill them professionally, setting yourself up for smoother payments and stronger client relationships.

Set your freelance rates and billing structure

Before you can bill a client, you need to know how much to charge and how you'll structure your fees. This might seem simple at first, but it plays a big role in your long-term success and ability to get paid on time.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to pricing. As a freelancer, you can choose to charge:

• Hourly rates. Ideal for ongoing or flexible projects where the scope may change.
• Fixed project fees. Great for clearly defined deliverables or results-based work.
• Daily or weekly rates. Useful for short-term contracts, on-site work, or when blocking off your time.
• Retainers. Best for long-term clients who need consistent support and want predictable costs.

Once you've chosen your model, set clear payment terms. For example, you might request 50% upfront and 50% on delivery, or establish a net 15 or net 30 policy for invoices. Setting expectations early helps avoid confusion, delays, or disputes later on.

In Spain, it’s also common for autónomos to include VAT (IVA) and IRPF (personal income tax withholding) directly in invoices, depending on the type of client. These tax obligations will affect your net income, so make sure you factor them into your pricing.

Pro Tip: Your pricing and structure may evolve as you gain experience and learn what works best for your clients (and your cash flow). Don’t be afraid to adjust.

Best payment methods for freelancers in Spain

Once you’ve set your rates and billing structure, the next step is making it easy for clients to pay you. The best payment methods for freelancers in Spain are fast, secure, and familiar to your clients, so you can get paid on time without chasing down transfers or dealing with unnecessary fees.

Here are the most effective options to consider:

Bizum

If you’re freelancing in Spain, this is a must. Bizum is fast, secure, and widely used by individuals and businesses alike. It’s especially great for small or recurring invoices, and with MONEI, you can accept Bizum directly from your website or via Pay by Link with no extra setup.

Card payments

Accepting debit and credit cards lets clients pay you with the same convenience they use to shop online. Whether it’s Visa, Mastercard, or Amex, offering card payments gives your business a more professional feel and supports faster payments.

SEPA Request-to-Pay (SRTP)

Common across the EU, SEPA payments are useful for higher-value invoices or B2B clients. Created by the European Payments Council (EPC), SRTP is a frictionless and instant payment framework that lets you request physical or online payments (up to 100K euros) from customers.

Apple Pay and Google Pay

These mobile wallets are becoming more popular in Spain, especially with tech-savvy clients or those paying from their phones. E-wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay add an extra layer of convenience and security to the payment experience.

PayPal

While not as cost-effective, some freelancers still use PayPal because it’s widely known. If you do accept PayPal, make sure your rates cover the higher transaction fees.

Pro Tip: You don’t have to stick to just one method. With MONEI, you can offer multiple freelance payment options through a single platform, making it easier for clients to say yes and pay fast.

Types of payment systems to use in your freelance business

As a freelancer, offering flexible ways to pay makes it easier for clients to pay you quickly, whether you work online, in person, or both. With MONEI, you can tailor how you collect payments based on the type of service you offer and how your clients prefer to pay.

Here are three freelancer-friendly payment flows to consider:

Pay by Link

Need a quick way to bill a client without setting up a website or payment form? Pay by Link lets you generate a unique payment link in seconds. You can send it through email, WhatsApp, SMS, or social media—whatever works best for your clients.

This method is perfect for consultants, designers, writers, or anyone who sends custom quotes. Clients can pay instantly using Bizum, card, or wallet — no login or registration required.

QR code and physical payments

If you meet clients face-to-face, teach workshops, or sell services at pop-up events, MONEI Pay lets you accept card and Bizum payments in person. Just display a QR code on your phone or print it—your client scans and pays.

This is ideal if you’re a personal trainer, photographer, stylist, or anyone who works outside of a traditional storefront or office. It’s a simple, secure, and hardware-free way to get paid on the spot.

Recurring payments

Do you work with clients on a retainer, offer monthly services, or run subscription-based packages? Recurring payments let you automatically charge your client on a fixed schedule, so you never have to chase down payments again.

Perfect for social media managers, developers, virtual assistants, or anyone offering ongoing services. You’ll save time, reduce payment delays, and create predictable revenue.

How to receive payments as a freelancer (without delays)

Even if your invoices are perfect and your payment methods are flexible, it doesn’t always guarantee that clients will pay on time. Learning how to receive payments as a freelancer — consistently and without delay—is key to staying financially stable.

Here are a few ways to make sure you get paid faster:

• Set clear payment terms upfront. Always include payment deadlines (e.g., 7, 15, or 30 days), late fees if applicable, and the payment methods you accept on invoices and in client agreements. Clear expectations reduce back-and-forth and help prevent delays.
• Send invoices on the same day every month. If clients know when to expect invoices from you, it will be easier for them to stick to a consistent payment schedule. You can even automate invoice delivery after project milestones or on specific dates, so you don’t forget.
• Use instant payment methods. Traditional bank transfers can take days to arrive. With payment tools like MONEI, you can accept instant payment methods like Bizum, Apple Pay, and Pay by Link, making it faster and easier for clients to pay the moment they receive your invoice.
• Offer multiple payment options. Not every client wants to pay the same way. Giving them options—like card, Bizum, and digital wallets—means there’s one less excuse for late payments.
• Send reminders. A polite nudge can go a long way. Use tools that let you automate reminder emails before and after a due date.

Avoid cash flow issues as a freelancer in Spain

One of the biggest challenges you’ll face as a freelancer, especially if you work with multiple clients or long project timelines, is keeping your cash flow steady. Irregular payments, slow-paying clients, and large gaps between projects can make it tough to stay financially secure. But with the right strategies, you can smooth things out and avoid unnecessary stress.

• Break payments into phases. Instead of charging 100% at the end of a project, request partial payments. For example, 50% upfront and 50% on delivery, or 30/30/40 milestones. This keeps money coming in throughout the project.
• Use fast-settlement payment tools. Platforms like MONEI help you get paid faster with 1-day settlement times. 
• Offer early payment incentives. Consider giving a small discount to clients who pay early. It may seem small, but it can motivate faster payments and improve cash flow.
• Avoid long net terms when possible. In Spain, freelancers often deal with net 30 or net 60 payment terms. When you can, propose shorter payment terms (like 7 or 15 days)—especially for new or one-off clients.
• Track your income in real-time. With MONEI’s dashboard, you can view your incoming payments, see pending transactions, and plan. Real-time insights help you make smarter decisions and stay ahead of any financial dry spells.

By proactively managing how and when you get paid, you’ll protect your business from late payments and avoid dipping into savings to cover basic expenses.

Automate your billing to save time

As a freelancer, your time is your most valuable asset. The more time you spend chasing invoices, sending reminders, or updating payment links, the less time you have to do paid work. Automating your billing process helps you save time, get paid faster, and avoid mistakes.

Here’s how to streamline your freelance payments with automation:

• Use recurring payments for long-term clients. If you work on a monthly retainer or offer subscription-based services, MONEI’s recurring payments let you automatically charge clients on a fixed schedule—no manual follow-up needed. You’ll avoid missed payments and build more predictable income.
• Add payment links to invoices. Add payment links directly to your invoice so clients can pay instantly via Bizum, card, or wallet.

Automate reminders for unpaid invoices. No one likes sending late payment reminders. With automation, your clients will get a friendly nudge before the due date—and again if they miss it—without you lifting a finger. (Coming soon to MONEI’s Pay By Link feature.)

Bill clients and receive payments as a freelancer with MONEI 

Figuring out how to bill clients as a freelancer doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right structure, tools, and payment methods, you can get paid faster and build long-lasting client relationships.

To succeed as a freelancer in Spain, it’s not just about the work you deliver—it’s about how you present yourself, how you manage your cash flow, and how you receive payments as a freelancer in a way that’s secure and stress-free. That’s where MONEI comes in.

From Pay by Link and Bizum to recurring payments and QR code payments, MONEI helps you streamline every part of your billing process—no matter your sector or setup.

Ready to simplify how you bill clients and get paid? Create your free MONEI account and start collecting payments today. ✅

Alexis Damen

Alexis Damen is a former Shopify merchant turned content marketer. Here, she breaks down complex topics about payments, e-commerce, and retail to help you succeed (with MONEI as your payments partner, of course).