What is a Freelance Contract?
A freelance contract defines the relationship between a business and an independent contractor. Without a written contract, disputes over IP ownership, payment terms, and scope of work are common — and costly. Our freelance contracts are drafted for the EU market, include mandatory IP assignment clauses, and comply with the EU Directive on transparent and predictable working conditions.
What's included
- Scope of work and deliverables definition
- Payment terms and milestone billing
- IP assignment — all work product belongs to you
- Confidentiality and NDA clause included
- Termination provisions (with and without cause)
- Independent contractor status clause (GDPR-compliant)
- Late payment interest clause (EU Late Payment Directive)
Frequently asked questions
Does a freelancer automatically own the work they create?+
In most EU countries, yes — the creator owns the IP by default. You need an IP assignment clause in your contract (included in our template) to transfer ownership to your business.
Is a freelancer an employee?+
No. A freelance contract establishes an independent contractor relationship. However, if the working arrangement looks like employment (set hours, exclusive relationship, etc.), some EU countries may reclassify the relationship. Our contract includes clauses to help prevent this.
Can I use this contract across multiple EU countries?+
The core contract works across the EU, but we recommend selecting the governing law of the country where the contractor is based.