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Work · Norway
Updated September 2026

🧾 My client will not pay my invoice — what can I do as a freelancer?

Direct answer

Freelancers are not protected like employees, but they have fast tools: statutory late-payment interest and a fixed recovery fee from the day after the due date (EU late-payment rules), and a court payment order that in most countries takes weeks and needs no lawyer. Send one formal reminder with a 7-day deadline and the interest, then file the payment order at Forliksrådet (politiet.no). Konfliktrådet (22 03 26 30) is a cheaper route if the client disputes the work; Fri rettshjelp (Statsforvalteren) / Jussbuss, JURK (statsforvalteren.no) advises on contracts and cross-border claims.

Call firstForliksrådet
Report toKonfliktrådet
If that failsFri rettshjelp (Statsforvalteren) / Jussbuss, JURK

🗣️ What to say

"Invoice [number] of [date] for [service], [amount], was due on [date] and remains unpaid. I ask for payment within 7 days to [account]. From [due date] statutory late-payment interest and the €40 recovery fee apply. If unpaid, I will file a court payment order without further notice."

🪜 Step by step

  1. One formal reminderDated, amount, due date, 7 days, the interest and fee. Registered mail or email with read receipt.
  2. Check the paperworkQuote, order, delivery confirmation, invoice. A disputed job needs proof of delivery; an undisputed one just needs the invoice.
  3. Payment order at ForliksrådetOnline in most countries, small fee, no lawyer. If the client does not object within the period, it becomes enforceable.
  4. Client disputes the work? KonfliktrådetMediation or the small-claims track. The threshold is what matters, not the merits.
  5. Cross-border clientThe European Payment Order and the European Small Claims Procedure work across the EU with standard forms; Fri rettshjelp (Statsforvalteren) / Jussbuss, JURK explains which.

📇 All contacts

ForliksrådetLow-cost first instance for money claimsOutside HTU's area or when the decision is disputed🔗 www.politiet.no/tjenester/forliksradet
KonfliktrådetFree mediation in neighbour and small disputesFor neighbour disputes📞 22 03 26 30🔗 www.konfliktraadet.no
Fri rettshjelp (Statsforvalteren) / Jussbuss, JURKLegal aid on low income; free student legal clinicsWhen you cannot afford a lawyer🔗 www.statsforvalteren.no/portal/folk-og-samfunn/fri-rettshjelp
Forbruker EuropaFree help with sellers in other EU countriesSeller in another EU country🔗 www.forbrukereuropa.no

❓ Frequently asked

What interest can I charge?

The statutory commercial rate (the ECB rate plus 8 points, roughly) plus a €40 minimum recovery fee per invoice, without agreement, from the day after the due date.

The client is a consumer, not a business

Then the commercial rules do not apply; the consumer rate is lower and the recovery fee needs a contract clause. The payment order still works.

The client is going bankrupt

File your claim with the administrator immediately and stop working for them. Unsecured creditors get little; speed gets more.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “freelancer client not paying Norway”
  • “court payment order unpaid invoice”
  • “late payment interest freelancer”
  • “european payment order”
  • “small claims unpaid invoice Norway”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

💼Unpaid wages→👻Fake invoice→⚖️Unfair dismissal→🤒Sick and pressured→

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