Learn how freelancers can issue VAT-compliant invoices without forming a company. This guide explains legal options, client requirements, and how tools like Remotify simplify global payments.
As a freelancer thriving in today’s globalized economy, you’re likely working with international clients. This is fantastic for growth, but it often brings up a common challenge: VAT-compliant invoicing. Many freelancers begin their journey without formally registering a company, and while this is a perfectly valid approach, many professional clients especially those based in Europe will still require proper, VAT-compliant invoices for their accounting and tax purposes.
This naturally leads to a crucial question: Is it genuinely possible to issue a legitimate VAT invoice without having your own registered company? The good news is, yes, it absolutely is, provided you leverage the right infrastructure. This guide will explain why this matters and how you can achieve it seamlessly, ensuring your freelancer payments are always smooth and compliant.
From a client’s perspective, a valid invoice isn’t just a formality; it’s a critical business necessity.
Ensuring your invoices meet professional standards isn’t just about appeasing clients; it’s about protecting and growing your freelance business.
The short answer is yes, but with important nuances. In some countries, individuals can issue invoices under specific self-employed or sole trader tax regimes. This often involves registering with local tax authorities and handling all the associated administrative and legal burdens yourself.
However, this approach comes with significant considerations:
This is precisely where a billing intermediary or merchant of record comes into play. By partnering with such an entity, you can issue invoices through their established legal framework, allowing you to remain compliant without the headache of setting up your own company. This operates on a reseller model, where the intermediary essentially “resells” your services to the client.
| Feature / Requirement | Direct Invoicing (Without Company) | Remotify Invoicing |
| VAT compliance | ❌ Often not possible without registration | ✅ Full EU VAT compliance |
| Accepted by companies | ❌ Many reject payments without formal invoice | ✅ Clients receive a standard B2B invoice |
| Client tax paperwork | ❌ Client must handle foreign contractor forms | ✅ Client treats it as a local EU supplier invoice |
| Setup time | ⏳ Weeks/months to register & get VAT | ⚡ Instant – send your first invoice today |
| Admin & legal burden | 🏛 High – ongoing tax filing, legal research | ✅ All handled by Remotify (as your merchant of record in a reseller model) |
| Currency & payment options | 💶 Limited, high fees for international transfers | 🌍 100+ currencies, SEPA, Wise, Revolut |
| Compliance checks (AML/KYC) | ❌ Your responsibility to understand & apply | ✅ Fully managed by Remotify |
| Speed of payment | ⏳ Often delayed by bank procedures/client ops | ⚡ Fast payout after client payment, reliable freelancer payments |
When working with a billing intermediary like Remotify, the responsibilities are clearly delineated, creating a streamlined and efficient process for all parties.
Freelancer’s Responsibility
Remotify’s Responsibility (as the Billing Intermediary/Merchant of Record)
Client’s Responsibility
Partnering with Remotify transforms the complexities of international invoicing and freelancer payments into a straightforward process. With Remotify, you can:
Issuing VAT-compliant invoices without formally establishing your own company is not just possible, but highly efficient, especially when you have the right partner. By leveraging a trusted billing intermediary like Remotify, you can effortlessly remove the administrative, legal, and compliance burdens for both yourself and your clients. This ensures your freelancer payments are always on time, professional, and fully compliant, enabling you to focus on what you do best: your freelance work.
Ready to simplify your international invoicing and cross-border payments?
💡 Sign up for free today and start sending professional, VAT-compliant invoices without ever needing to set up a company.
1. Can freelancers issue VAT-compliant invoices without registering a company?
Yes. Freelancers can issue VAT-compliant invoices without having a registered company by using a billing intermediary or Merchant of Record, such as Remotify. This setup ensures legal compliance with EU VAT laws while removing the need for company registration.
2. Why do clients require VAT-compliant invoices from freelancers?
Clients need VAT-compliant invoices for tax reporting, audits, and expense claims. Without a compliant invoice, they can face penalties or lose eligibility for tax deductions, which is why most businesses only work with freelancers who provide valid invoices.
3. What happens if I send an invoice that isn’t VAT-compliant?
If your invoice isn’t VAT-compliant, your client may delay or reject payment, as it cannot be used for their accounting or tax purposes. Non-compliant invoices can also harm your professional image and limit access to higher-value clients.
4. How does Remotify help freelancers issue VAT-compliant invoices?
Remotify acts as your Merchant of Record, issuing VAT-compliant invoices under its registered EU entity. It handles compliance checks, collects payments, and transfers your earnings—allowing you to work globally without needing to register your own business.
5. Is using a billing intermediary like Remotify legal and safe?
Yes, it’s fully legal and compliant. The intermediary operates under a reseller model, meaning Remotify “resells” your services to the client and issues invoices on your behalf—ensuring all transactions meet EU tax and AML/KYC standards.
6. Do freelancers still need to pay income tax if they use Remotify?
Yes. You remain responsible for reporting and paying personal income tax in your country of residence based on the payments you receive, even though Remotify handles VAT and client invoicing.
7. What are the benefits of issuing invoices through Remotify instead of registering a company?
Using Remotify saves you from complex tax registration, legal paperwork, and compliance risks. You can send invoices instantly, accept payments in over 100 currencies, and ensure full VAT compliance without administrative hassle.
8. How fast can freelancers get paid through Remotify?
Once a client payment is received, Remotify processes payouts quickly, transferring your earnings directly to your chosen account (bank, Wise, or Revolut) in your preferred currency.
9. Can clients in the EU accept invoices from freelancers outside the EU?
Yes, but only if the invoices meet EU VAT and compliance standards. That’s why freelancers outside the EU often use Remotify—to issue invoices that are recognized as local EU business invoices.
10. How can I start sending VAT-compliant invoices without a company?
You can start immediately by signing up on Remotify. It lets you send your first VAT-compliant invoice instantly, without going through the long process of company registration or VAT setup.
As a freelancer thriving in today’s globalized economy, you’re likely working with international clients. This is fantastic for growth, but it often brings up a common challenge: VAT-compliant invoicing. Many freelancers begin their journey without formally registering a company, and while this is a perfectly valid approach, many professional clients especially those based in Europe will still require proper, VAT-compliant invoices for their accounting and tax purposes.
This naturally leads to a crucial question: Is it genuinely possible to issue a legitimate VAT invoice without having your own registered company? The good news is, yes, it absolutely is, provided you leverage the right infrastructure. This guide will explain why this matters and how you can achieve it seamlessly, ensuring your freelancer payments are always smooth and compliant.
From a client’s perspective, a valid invoice isn’t just a formality; it’s a critical business necessity.
Ensuring your invoices meet professional standards isn’t just about appeasing clients; it’s about protecting and growing your freelance business.
The short answer is yes, but with important nuances. In some countries, individuals can issue invoices under specific self-employed or sole trader tax regimes. This often involves registering with local tax authorities and handling all the associated administrative and legal burdens yourself.
However, this approach comes with significant considerations:
This is precisely where a billing intermediary or merchant of record comes into play. By partnering with such an entity, you can issue invoices through their established legal framework, allowing you to remain compliant without the headache of setting up your own company. This operates on a reseller model, where the intermediary essentially “resells” your services to the client.
| Feature / Requirement | Direct Invoicing (Without Company) | Remotify Invoicing |
| VAT compliance | ❌ Often not possible without registration | ✅ Full EU VAT compliance |
| Accepted by companies | ❌ Many reject payments without formal invoice | ✅ Clients receive a standard B2B invoice |
| Client tax paperwork | ❌ Client must handle foreign contractor forms | ✅ Client treats it as a local EU supplier invoice |
| Setup time | ⏳ Weeks/months to register & get VAT | ⚡ Instant – send your first invoice today |
| Admin & legal burden | 🏛 High – ongoing tax filing, legal research | ✅ All handled by Remotify (as your merchant of record in a reseller model) |
| Currency & payment options | 💶 Limited, high fees for international transfers | 🌍 100+ currencies, SEPA, Wise, Revolut |
| Compliance checks (AML/KYC) | ❌ Your responsibility to understand & apply | ✅ Fully managed by Remotify |
| Speed of payment | ⏳ Often delayed by bank procedures/client ops | ⚡ Fast payout after client payment, reliable freelancer payments |
When working with a billing intermediary like Remotify, the responsibilities are clearly delineated, creating a streamlined and efficient process for all parties.
Freelancer’s Responsibility
Remotify’s Responsibility (as the Billing Intermediary/Merchant of Record)
Client’s Responsibility
Partnering with Remotify transforms the complexities of international invoicing and freelancer payments into a straightforward process. With Remotify, you can:
Issuing VAT-compliant invoices without formally establishing your own company is not just possible, but highly efficient, especially when you have the right partner. By leveraging a trusted billing intermediary like Remotify, you can effortlessly remove the administrative, legal, and compliance burdens for both yourself and your clients. This ensures your freelancer payments are always on time, professional, and fully compliant, enabling you to focus on what you do best: your freelance work.
Ready to simplify your international invoicing and cross-border payments?
💡 Sign up for free today and start sending professional, VAT-compliant invoices without ever needing to set up a company.
1. Can freelancers issue VAT-compliant invoices without registering a company?
Yes. Freelancers can issue VAT-compliant invoices without having a registered company by using a billing intermediary or Merchant of Record, such as Remotify. This setup ensures legal compliance with EU VAT laws while removing the need for company registration.
2. Why do clients require VAT-compliant invoices from freelancers?
Clients need VAT-compliant invoices for tax reporting, audits, and expense claims. Without a compliant invoice, they can face penalties or lose eligibility for tax deductions, which is why most businesses only work with freelancers who provide valid invoices.
3. What happens if I send an invoice that isn’t VAT-compliant?
If your invoice isn’t VAT-compliant, your client may delay or reject payment, as it cannot be used for their accounting or tax purposes. Non-compliant invoices can also harm your professional image and limit access to higher-value clients.
4. How does Remotify help freelancers issue VAT-compliant invoices?
Remotify acts as your Merchant of Record, issuing VAT-compliant invoices under its registered EU entity. It handles compliance checks, collects payments, and transfers your earnings—allowing you to work globally without needing to register your own business.
5. Is using a billing intermediary like Remotify legal and safe?
Yes, it’s fully legal and compliant. The intermediary operates under a reseller model, meaning Remotify “resells” your services to the client and issues invoices on your behalf—ensuring all transactions meet EU tax and AML/KYC standards.
6. Do freelancers still need to pay income tax if they use Remotify?
Yes. You remain responsible for reporting and paying personal income tax in your country of residence based on the payments you receive, even though Remotify handles VAT and client invoicing.
7. What are the benefits of issuing invoices through Remotify instead of registering a company?
Using Remotify saves you from complex tax registration, legal paperwork, and compliance risks. You can send invoices instantly, accept payments in over 100 currencies, and ensure full VAT compliance without administrative hassle.
8. How fast can freelancers get paid through Remotify?
Once a client payment is received, Remotify processes payouts quickly, transferring your earnings directly to your chosen account (bank, Wise, or Revolut) in your preferred currency.
9. Can clients in the EU accept invoices from freelancers outside the EU?
Yes, but only if the invoices meet EU VAT and compliance standards. That’s why freelancers outside the EU often use Remotify—to issue invoices that are recognized as local EU business invoices.
10. How can I start sending VAT-compliant invoices without a company?
You can start immediately by signing up on Remotify. It lets you send your first VAT-compliant invoice instantly, without going through the long process of company registration or VAT setup.
