A directory of the laws protecting independent contractors' right to be paid — from the NYC and California Freelance Worker Protection Acts to the UK Late Payment Act and the EU Late Payment Directive. Search by region and link to any entry.
This directory is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws change and thresholds are updated — always confirm the current rules with the official source linked in each entry before relying on them.
United States (Federal)
No federal freelance payment law
United States
Effective: —Threshold: —
There is no single federal law guaranteeing freelancers timely payment. Protections instead come from state and city 'Freelance Isn't Free' style laws, plus general contract law. Federal self-employment income is still reported (for example via Form 1099-NEC and 1099-K).
Key protections
No federal statutory payment deadline for freelancers
Contract disputes generally handled under state contract law
Remedies: Breach-of-contract claims in state court; no federal double-damages remedy specific to freelancers.
Effective: May 15, 2017Threshold: Contracts worth $800+ (single or aggregated over 120 days)
The original 'Freelance Isn't Free' law, which established a nationwide template. It gives freelancers the right to a written contract and to be paid on time, enforced by the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.
Key protections
Right to a written contract for qualifying work
Payment by the contract date, or within 30 days of completion if unspecified
Protection from retaliation
Remedies: Double damages, statutory damages for a missing contract, and attorney's fees.
Effective: August 28, 2024Threshold: Contracts worth $800+
Extends NYC-style protections across all of New York State, adding oversight and enforcement by the State Attorney General on top of a private right of action.
Key protections
Right to a written contract with required terms
Timely and full payment
Protection from retaliation and discrimination
Remedies: Private lawsuit or Attorney General action; damages and civil penalties. Model contracts published by the state Department of Labor.
Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998
Europe
Effective: 1998 (amended since)Threshold: Applies to qualifying business-to-business debts
Gives businesses, including freelancers operating B2B, an automatic right to charge interest and recover costs on late commercial payments — even without a clause in the contract.
Key protections
Statutory interest of 8% plus the Bank of England base rate
Fixed recovery compensation of £40 / £70 / £100 by debt size
Right to reasonable additional recovery costs
Remedies: Interest and compensation apply automatically; recoverable through the courts if unpaid.
Effective: 2011 (transposed by member states)Threshold: Applies to commercial transactions (B2B and public authorities)
EU-wide rules combating late payment in commercial transactions, setting default payment periods and a statutory right to interest and recovery costs. Member states implement it in national law.
Key protections
Default payment terms of 30 days (up to 60 by agreement) for B2B
Statutory interest of the ECB reference rate plus at least 8 percentage points
Minimum €40 fixed compensation for recovery costs
Remedies: Automatic entitlement to interest and compensation; enforceable in national courts.
Effective: 2021Threshold: Large businesses (turnover over A$100m) reporting on small-business payments
Rather than a freelancer-specific payment law, Australia requires large businesses to publicly report how quickly they pay small-business suppliers, creating transparency and pressure to pay faster.
Key protections
Public reporting of large businesses' payment times to small suppliers
Transparency intended to discourage slow payment
Remedies: Regulator oversight and public reporting; no freelancer double-damages remedy.
Freelancer payment protection is expanding quickly. More US cities and states — such as Minneapolis, Columbia (MO), and others — have adopted or are considering Freelance Worker Protection ordinances, and the EU continues to strengthen late-payment rules. If your jurisdiction is missing or a detail has changed, we welcome corrections and additions.
A written record is your first line of defence. Create professional invoices with clear payment terms and late-fee wording, then send with automated reminders. Free to start, no signup for your first invoice.
