Best Ways to Get Paid by Global Clients as a UK Freelancer

Getting paid by international clients sounds simple - but which methods might be best and what are the main things to watch out for when selecting one?

We've answered this questions in this guide covering 5 popular ways for freelancers to receive payments from clients around the world - including Wise Business, which is designed for freelancers to send, hold and receive domestic and global payments alike.

*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

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Key takeaways

Discover Wise Business 🔍

Wise Business

Wise Business is one of the most popular choices for UK freelancers who regularly receive payments from international clients.

It operates as a multi-currency account rather than a traditional bank, meaning you can hold, send, and receive money in over 40 currencies from a single account, perfect for UK freelancers billing clients across the US, Europe, or Australia.

Features

A Wise Business multi-currency account provides a way for freelancers to receive and manage payments across currencies.

To open a Wise Business account, you’ll need a registered business in the UK (including sole traders). This can help separate business and personal finances and access features designed for business use.

With Wise Business, you can:

• Send money to 140+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no sneaky exchange rate markups
• Receive payments using 8+ local account details in 24 currencies and counting
• Get local account details for currencies, including USD and EUR, to let your customers pay in a currency they know and trust - convenience for them and peace of mind for you
• Hold money in 40+ currencies
• Convert currencies anytime at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees
• Use the batch payments tool to create and send up to payments in a single transfer
• Run payroll and make international payments for up to 1,000 employees all over the world
• Get business debit cards with 0.5% cashback for you and your team to keep track of team expenses and spend all over the world
• Manage cash in 55+ currencies across international offices from a single business account and move money between business accounts in seconds
• Connect and sync every business transaction to your favourite accounting software, including Xero, Quickbooks, and more
• Create your own payment approvals process to manage your team better with customised access for different team members
• Create custom professional invoices and schedule invoice payments for future dates
• Earn returns on GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (capital at risk, growth not guaranteed)
• Create payment links and QR codes to get paid easily
• Automate payouts with the Wise API (comes with 24/7 customer support, a sandbox account to test integrations, API tokens, and clear documents on how to implement and make the most of our API)

*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

How much it costs

Wise Business uses a transparent, pay-as-you-go pricing model where fees depend on how you use the account:

• Registering for a Wise Business account is free
• One-time fee of 50 GBP to unlock local account details and full account features
• Free to receive domestic non-SWIFT payments
• SWIFT payments cost 6.11 USD, 2.16 GBP or 2.39 EUR depending on currency
• Hold 40+ currencies for free
• Currency conversion fees from 0.33%
• Free transfers between Wise accounts in the same currency
• First Wise Business card is free, additional cards cost 3 GBP
• ATM withdrawals up to 250 GBP/month are free, then 2.69% applies

Fees are correct as of May 2026 and may change. Check the latest pricing by visiting the Wise Business pricing page

*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

Bank transfer

Most UK high-street banks process international payments via the SWIFT network, which routes money through one or more correspondent banks before it reaches your account.

Each intermediary can deduct its own fee along the way, and that's before the exchange rate markup your bank applies on top.

Features

Banks accept international transfers directly into your account, often via SWIFT.

How much it costs

The costs vary depending on the provider. For example, with HSBC, it costs £5 online for non-EEA currencies to send money, and for receiving money it's £5 per incoming international payment¹. Intermediary fees can vary²

Digital wallet

Digital wallets are one of the most widely used cheap ways to get paid freelance UK, particularly for smaller invoices or one-off projects. PayPal is the most recognised option and is accepted by clients globally - but there are also other newer options such as Skrill.

Features

PayPal allows global payments via invoicing or payment links, while Skrill supports receiving funds via email, mobile number, or bank account.³

How much it costs

• PayPal charges 2.9% + fixed fee⁴
• International transactions add 1.29% (EEA) or 1.99% (rest of world)⁴
• Currency conversion fees can be around 3% above the base exchange rate⁴
• Withdrawals to UK bank accounts are free when no conversion applies⁴
• Skrill fees vary depending on method and country³

Crypto wallet

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⚠️Note: Receiving payments in cryptocurrency carries significant financial risk. Crypto values can be highly volatile, and the value of your payment can drop substantially between the time your client sends it and when you convert it to GBP. This option is not suitable for all freelancers, and you should seek independent financial advice before using crypto as a payment method.

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Crypto wallets can be a viable option for UK freelancers who want to use an alternative to banking infrastructure and get paid in digital currency. An example of a crypto platform some freelancers in the UK might use is Coinbase.⁵

Coinbase supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins like USDC, which are pegged to the US dollar, offering price stability regardless of which country your client is based in. Once received, funds can be converted to GBP and withdrawn to a linked UK bank account via Faster Payments.⁵

How it works

Crypto wallets let clients send digital assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum or stablecoins to a wallet address. Once received, funds may be converted to GBP and withdrawn to a linked UK bank account, depending on the platform used.

Key features include:

• Supports 250+ cryptocurrencies including stablecoins like USDC and USDT⁵
• GBP withdrawals via Faster Payments; typically credited within 1–3 working days⁵
• Built-in conversion tools to switch between crypto and GBP
• No fees for GBP deposits via Faster Payments⁵

How much it costs

Fees vary depending on network and platform. Gas fees are charged by the blockchain.

• Spread on simple buy/sell orders: approximately 0.5% on the standard platform⁵
• Transaction fee on standard platform: 1.5%–4% depending on payment method and order size⁵
• Currency conversion spread: up to 2% above the market rate⁶
• GBP withdrawal: £1 per withdrawal⁷
• Network/gas fees: variable; charged by the blockchain, not Coinbase

That said, the conversion process, tax implications, and platform risk make crypto wallets a considerably more complex option than others.

Cash remittance

Cash remittance services are better suited to occasional, one-off payments rather than regular freelance invoicing. That said, if a client prefers a simple, familiar transfer method and doesn't have access to platforms like Wise or digital wallets, it remains a viable option.

How it works

Cash remittance providers allow clients to send money internationally using bank transfers, debit or credit cards, or local payment methods. Funds are typically delivered directly to a UK bank account or made available for cash pickup, depending on the service used.

Key features can include:

• Ability to send money from multiple countries worldwide using different payment methods
• Delivery options such as bank deposit or cash pickup
• Flexible transfer speeds, ranging from near-instant to several business days
• Real-time tracking of transfers through apps or online platforms
• No requirement for the recipient to open an account with the provider in some cases
• Customer support available to help track or resolve transfers

How much it costs

Fees vary depending on the sending country, transfer method, and delivery speed:

• Transfer fees differ by corridor and payment method
• Exchange rate markup may be applied above the mid-market exchange rate
• Additional charges such as card fees may apply depending on how the sender pays
• Promotional rates or reduced fees may be available for first-time transfers

Cash remittance services can be convenient for clients who prefer simple transfer options or lack access to fintech platforms. However, because pricing structures and exchange rates can vary, they are typically less cost-efficient for freelancers receiving regular international payments.

Manage your international freelance earnings like a pro with Wise Business

Receiving funds from clients across the world can be tricky, especially due to issues like hidden exchange rate fees chipping away at your earnings. This isn't the case with Wise Business, which offers a multi-currency account with low, transparent fees.

With Wise Business, you can:

• 🌍 Send money to 140+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no sneaky exchange rate markups (product availability varies by region)
• 📥 Receive payments in 24 currencies and counting
• 💵 Get local account details for 8+ currencies, including USD and EUR, to let your customers pay in a currency they know and trust - convenience for them and peace of mind for you
• 💰 Hold money in 40+ currencies
• 🔁 Convert currencies anytime at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees
• ⚡ Use the batch payments tool to create and send up to 1,000 payments in a single transfer
• 👥 Run payroll and make international payments for up to 1,000 employees all over the world - including paying suppliers using local payment methods like ACH, SEPA, and Faster Payments
• 💳 Get business debit cards with 0.5% cashback for you and your team to keep track of team expenses and spend all over the world, with real-time visibility and categorisation
• 🏢 Manage cash in 55+ currencies across international offices from a single business account and move money between business accounts in seconds (exact speeds can vary depending on individual circumstances and may not be the same for all transactions)
• 🧾 Connect and sync every business transaction to your favourite accounting software, including Xero, Quickbooks, and more
• 🔐 Create your own payment approvals process to manage your team better with customised access for different team members, roles and permissions
• 📑 Create custom professional invoices and schedule invoice payments for future dates
• 📈 Earn returns on GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (Capital at risk, growth not guaranteed. Your money is at risk if governments default or interest rates go negative. Visit https://wise.com/gb/interest/ to find out more)
• 🔗 Create payment links and QR codes to get paid easily
• ⚙️ Automate payouts with the Wise API (comes with 24/7 customer support, a sandbox account to test integrations, API tokens, and clear documents on how to implement and make the most of our API)

Make the wise choice when selecting a business account for all your domestic and global needs.

Be Smart, Get Wise.

Register for Wise Business ✍️

*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

Sources:

1. International Money Transfer | HSBC UK
2. International Money Transfer Fees: The Complete Guide
3. Receive money online | Skrill
4. PayPal Merchant Fees - Seller Fees | PayPal UK
5. Coinbase Review UK 2026
6. Coinbase Review UK
7. Coinbase Exchange Review

Sources last checked on May 1, 2026