A new client in Toronto settles in Canadian dollars, another in Berlin prefers euros and your savings goal is denominated in pounds. The wrong collection method turns those invoices into a fee minefield: padded exchange rates, flat wire charges, even surprise “receiver” deductions at your own bank. Here are practical tactics—plus the services that currently lead on cost—to make sure international income lands fast and almost fee-free.
Open a true multi-currency account
Traditional banks force you to convert incoming funds the moment they arrive, often at a three- to four-percent spread. Services such as Wise provide local bank details in up to ten major currencies and let you hold 50 + balances indefinitely. You pay a transparent FX fee only when you decide to convert, and the global average spread hovers around 0.59 %.¹
Pick providers that charge to convert, not to receive
Receiving money should be free—conversion is where the provider earns its keep.
- Wise: no receipt fee, FX from 0.45 %.¹
- Payoneer: free client payments inside the network; withdrawals to your own bank start at $1.50 and rise to 0.5 % once you move more than $50 000 in a month.²
- Revolut Pro / Freelancer: no-monthly-fee account; local transfers free up to an allowance, then $0.20 each; international transfers $5 flat, FX markup 0.6 %.³
- Stripe: perfect for card-paying clients—1 % cross-border fee plus 1 % if currency conversion is required.⁴
- PayPal: easy, trusted brand, but budget for 2 % on cross-border mass payouts and heavier FX spreads; use only when the client refuses alternatives.⁵
Invoice in your client’s currency
Quote the amount they expect to see; you remove friction at checkout and gain pricing flexibility. Your multi-currency account holds the funds until you need to convert, letting you wait for a favourable rate or pay a supplier in the same currency, skipping a double swap.
Route payments through local rails
Speed and cost both improve when money stays domestic at each end.
- EUR → SEPA Instant
- GBP → Faster Payments
- USD → FedNow or ACH
- JPY → Zengin (Wise became the first foreign firm with direct access in 2024, shrinking both cost and settlement time).⁶
Ask providers which corridors they already clear locally; any “yes” usually means T + 0 settlement and zero correspondent-bank deductions.
Automate the back office
Most low-fee platforms generate branded invoices, payment links or QR codes that auto-reconcile once paid. Stripe and Revolut drop the transaction data straight into accounting software; Wise and Payoneer export CSVs that map neatly to Xero or QuickBooks. Less manual entry equals fewer mismatched amounts—a hidden but real cost saver.
Set threshold-based FX rules
Inside your multi-currency wallet, create standing orders: “Convert GBP → EUR when the mid-market hits 1.18 or higher” or “Auto-swap 80 % of every USD credit on arrival.” Rules lock in margin while still letting you gamble (a little) with the remaining 20 %.
Pass unavoidable fees back politely
If a client insists on card payments or PayPal, insert a surcharge clause in the contract—often two percent covers card interchange and dispute risk. Itemising the fee keeps headline rates sharp while protecting take-home pay.
Keep compliance simple
Verify your identity and link your bank early; most holds on inbound funds arise because the provider must complete KYC. Store those documents securely—renewals are painless when you can upload in seconds.
Monitor the spread like a hawk
Add a line in your financial dashboard that tracks the real mid-market rate versus the rate you actually received. If the gap widens beyond one percent, shop providers again; fintech pricing moves faster than bank loyalty programmes.
Bundle micro-payments
Small gigs can drown in fixed fees. Batch several jobs for the same client into one invoice or use a platform such as Upwork or Fiverr that settles internally before one larger payout.