Working with international clients is one of the most exciting aspects of building a modern business — and one of the most administratively complex. Currency conversions, foreign tax rules, language barriers, and varying payment methods all add layers of friction to the simple act of getting paid. Here is how to handle each one.

Choose the Invoice Currency Carefully

The first decision is which currency to use on the invoice. The options are:

  • Your home currency — simple for you, potentially inconvenient for the client
  • The client's currency — client-friendly, but you bear the exchange rate risk
  • A neutral currency (USD or EUR) — commonly used for international B2B transactions, widely understood

For high-value, long-term contracts, consider specifying the exchange rate on the invoice ("Amount billed in EUR; payment to be received in USD at the rate of 1.08 on the invoice date") to eliminate ambiguity.

Multi-Currency Invoicing Software

A capable invoicing platform like Facturi lets you select the currency per invoice. The invoice displays amounts in the chosen currency, and your dashboard can convert all amounts to your home currency for reporting purposes. This means you can maintain accounts in EUR while billing a client in JPY and another in GBP without losing sight of your overall financials.

Handling Foreign VAT and Tax

Tax obligations for international invoices depend on:

  • Whether you are selling to a business (B2B) or consumer (B2C)
  • The countries involved
  • The type of service or product

Within the EU, B2B cross-border sales between VAT-registered businesses are generally zero-rated under the reverse charge mechanism — the client accounts for VAT in their country. Outside the EU, rules vary significantly. Always consult a tax advisor for your specific situation; invoicing software can apply the rule once you know what it is, but it cannot determine the rule for you.

Language and Invoice Localization

Sending an invoice in a language your client does not read creates unnecessary confusion and delays payment. Facturi supports seven languages including Arabic and Farsi with right-to-left (RTL) layout support. You can set the invoice language per client, so French clients receive invoices in French and Arabic clients receive invoices in Arabic — even if your dashboard is in English.

Payment Methods for International Clients

Bank transfers (SWIFT/SEPA) are common for international B2B payments but carry fees and can take 2–5 business days. For faster, lower-cost collection, consider:

  • Stripe — accepts cards in 135+ currencies, settles in your bank currency
  • Wise (formerly TransferWise) — low-fee international transfers with real exchange rates
  • PayPal — widely accepted, though fees are higher

Including multiple payment options on your invoice increases the likelihood of prompt payment from international clients who may not have easy access to SWIFT transfers.

Record-Keeping for International Invoices

Store all international invoices with the original currency amounts, the exchange rate used, and the equivalent home-currency amount. Your accounting software and tax authority will need these details at year-end. Online invoicing platforms that integrate with accounting software can export this data automatically.

Practical Tips

  • Include your IBAN and SWIFT/BIC on every invoice sent internationally
  • Specify who bears bank transfer fees (common options: "all charges for sender's account" or shared)
  • For new international clients, consider requesting a 30–50% deposit before starting work
  • Use PDF invoices — they render identically on any device and in any country