How to Properly Write a Freelance Invoice?

Key Takeaways

• Mandatory mentions: Include them in your invoice to be fully compliant with the law.
• Numbering: Follow a sequential logic and avoid gaps or duplicates.
• Invoicing software: Consider it to automatically generate your invoices and centralize the management of your business.
• Wage portage: Delegate all your administrative management and invoicing to an umbrella company and avoid mistakes.

Are you concerned about properly drafting your freelance invoice? Being a freelancer allows you great freedom in choosing your clients and organizing your work, but it also requires rigorous administrative management, including issuing compliant invoices. That’s why Weepo has prepared this guide to help you invoice correctly as a freelancer. Mandatory mentions, steps to draft an invoice, using invoicing software... You’ll learn how to create an invoice as an independent professional.

Legal Requirements for a Freelance Invoice

To remain fully compliant from a legal standpoint, you must include certain mandatory mentions on all your freelance invoices:

• The invoice number;
• The invoice issue date;
• Your business contact details and SIREN number;
• The contact details and SIREN number of your client (if they are a professional);
• The service performance date;
• Description of the service;
• The unit price excluding and including VAT;
• The total price excluding and including VAT;
• Payment terms and deadlines;
• Late payment interest;
• The mention of VAT exemption (Article 293 B of the CGI).

💡Good to know: The mention "EI" or "entrepreneur individuel" is mandatory on your invoices and commercial documents since May 15, 2022.

Numbering Freelance Invoices

As a freelancer, each invoice must include a unique number assigned chronologically. The numbering must be sequential and must not have gaps or duplicates. There are two methods of invoice numbering:

1. Simple numbering: This involves assigning simple numbers to your invoices. Example: 1,2,3...
2. Prefixed numbering: This involves assigning a common prefix, often corresponding to the current accounting year. Example: 2026-01 for January 2026, 2026-02 for February 2026...

The Stages of Drafting a Freelance Invoice

You must start issuing your invoices as soon as you have chosen your legal status and at the end of each service. Drafting an invoice generally follows 5 steps:

Your invoice must be issued in two copies, one for your client and one for yourself.

💡Good to know: It is recommended to keep your invoices for 10 years after the closure of the financial year to provide legal proof in case of disputes.

Tips for Properly Drafting Your Freelance Invoice

Sample Freelance Invoice Template

INVOICE
────────────────────────────────────────────
Jean DUPONT EI
Dupont Web Consulting
12 rue des Indépendants
75000 Paris
Phone: 06 00 00 00 00
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.dupont-web.fr
SIREN: 123 456 789
SIRET: 123 456 789 00012
RCS Paris 123 456 789

────────────────────────────────────────────
INVOICE No.: 2026-01
Issue date: 01/15/2026
Service date: 01/10/2026

────────────────────────────────────────────
Client: ABC Company
25 Avenue des Entrepreneurs
69000 Lyon
SIREN: 000 000 000

────────────────────────────────────────────
SERVICE DETAILS

VAT not applicable – article 293 B of the CGI

──────────────────────────────────────────── 

PAYMENT TERMS
Payment date: 01/30/2026
Payment deadline: 15 days
Payment method: bank transfer

In case of late payment, penalties will be due without further notice, calculated based on the current legal rate.

Drafting Your Freelance Invoice: What to Remember

You now know how to write a freelance invoice. Here are the essentials to remember:

1. Make sure to include all the legal mandatory mentions on your invoice before sending it to your client.
2. Number all your invoices sequentially, either by assigning a number or a common prefix.
3. Draft your invoice by entering your information first, the client's details, the invoice number/date, service description, and mention your professional insurance.
4. Choose an online template, use dedicated software, or opt for wage portage to reduce the risk of errors.

By ensuring compliant invoicing, strict administrative follow-up, and suitable insurance, you maximize your chances of working as a freelancer with peace of mind.

For more, see our complete guide how to become a freelancer.