6 Must-Have Clauses To Include In Your Freelance Contract France

I made a solemn promise to myself not to work without a contract after an unpleasant experience with a client. At the same time, I am grateful for that experience because it taught me things I had neglected. As a freelancer working in France, some clauses are important to me because they protect me and my business. For this article, we’ll walk through six freelance contract clauses for your contract in France.

Without a contract, misunderstandings can escalate to big problems, such as late payments. Sometimes, a client may expect you to do tasks that are not meant for you, or there could be a miscommunication in assignments. But a good contract will help you establish a solid foundation for trust and transparency.

Even the smallest projects require a contract, and with the right clauses, a simple contract will protect you and your client. A freelance contract should not be technical – it’s simply a guide to help you work smarter with your clients in France.

Related post: 7 ways to set boundaries with your clients as a freelancer

FOR THIS POST:

• 7 freelance clauses you must include in your contract in France
• Common mistakes to avoid with freelance contracts in France
• FAQs about freelance contracts in France
• Conclusion

Before you start freelancing in France, you must register your business and complete other formalities with the law. The truth is, some freelancers don’t care about working with a contract or may not even read them. But as an English-speaking freelancer in France, knowing the correct clauses to include in your contract is very important.

Related post: 18+ Freelancing tips from my experience

7 Must-Have Freelance Contract Clauses For Your Contract in France

Amongst several clauses that your freelance contract should have in France, here are the clauses you must include:

Contract = should be clear and precise for both parties

1. Details and Scope of The Mission

I’m sure you don’t want to start a job without knowing the roles or responsibilities. The same thing applies to freelancing.

Why am I here? Why do you need me for this project?

The details or scope of the project should state the deliverables of the project; that way, both parties know what to expect from each other.

Your freelance contract should also clearly describe the job, state your duties, and include the end date of the project. With this, you know what to expect, what to do, and when your task will end.

2. Payment Rates and Terms

I don’t know of any freelancer who wants to work for free, but that aside, any contract you sign must state your rate for the project.

Your rate could be your average hourly or daily rate, or the total amount charged for the work. If you’re going to charge a deposit for this project, say 40% at kick-off, you can also include it here.

Under this clause, you must also include your payment period (biweekly or monthly), your preferred payment method, when to issue your invoice, and any late fees.

A payment clause in a freelance contract describes what you will be paid, how to get paid, and when you will be paid. With this clause, both parties will be conditioned to trust each other in payment terms.

Related post: 6 must-haves before you start freelancing

3. Termination Clauses

Yes, you are not an employee, but you can’t hang your boot in the middle of a project. As long as you signed a contract, you have to respect the conditions for terminating a contract.

A termination clause describes the conditions of exit or termination for any party before its completion. In the event that one party decides to quit the project before the end date, one party has to notify the other within a stipulated period.

If a client decides that they no longer need your services, they are obligated to give you a two-week notice, as stipulated in the contract. Make sure to also include payment conditions in case the project ends on time.

This is important as a freelance contract clause in France. This way, both parties can dissolve the agreement professionally while maintaining their rights and reputation.

4. Force Majeure

A force majeure clause protects you from risks associated with any event outside your control that will hinder you from performing your tasks. This way, you can terminate or suspend the contract without fault or penalties on your part.

These risks could be natural disasters, epidemics, or strikes. In France, your contract should contain this clause (in French):

“Chacune des Parties sera exonérée de toute responsabilité en cas de manquement total ou partiel même temporaire à l’une ou l’autre de ses obligations découlant de la présente Convention, qui serait causé par un cas de Force majeure.”

In simple words, in the event you cannot continue the contract, it will not be considered a breach of contract.

5. Intellectual Rights

Intellectual property and copyright clauses are very important freelance contract clauses in France, especially for creatives. It specifies the owner of the product and its intellectual property until compensation is made. A sample copyright agreement can be:

“Les créations réalisées par le Prestataire lui appartiennent jusqu’au paiement intégral de la prestation. Une fois le règlement effectué, le Client peut utiliser les créations conformément aux usages, à la durée et aux supports définis dans le cadre de la mission.“

Typically, a freelancer or creator owns the rights to the content or service until compensation is paid. But in the event that a client has paid for the service, the creator may still have the right to the content. However, in a professional agreement, all information or access provided by the client remains the property of the client.

For example, a photographer or songwriter may grant commercial usage rights of their art, but still own the rights to it. But as long as payment is made in exchange for the content, the copyright can be transferred to the client under the conditions of the contract.

Any permission needed to use the content or its derivatives in a public portfolio or website will also be stated here. Using this freelance contract clauses in France ensures that the client does not use your work without proper compensation.

Also read: 7 ways to set boundaries with your clients

6. Revisions

When I worked with Fiverr clients, I had a maximum limit of two revisions. Any additional revision will incur an extra cost to the client. Funny thing is, most clients expected more reviews for free.

If you are working on a creative project, make sure that the freelance contract stipulates the number of revisions you can take. And in the event that the client wants extra revisions or makes last-minute changes to the project, you can add an extra fee. An example of this clause could be:

“No revisions, amendments, or modifications to this project shall be valid unless made in writing and signed by authorized by both parties. The service provider or freelancer can only make two modifications or revisions to this project. If the client requests more than two revisions, this will attract an additional cost of €X to the freelancer.”

This way, your time and skills are not exploited without compensation.

Also read: My 5 top cold email tools for freelancers and creators

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using A Freelance Contract in France

1. Don’t skip a contract because you think the client is your friend. No matter how familiar you’ve grown with your clients, stick to the plot – use a contract.

2. Make sure the client signs their part. Do not, I repeat, do not start that project until the client puts their signature on the contract. This way, you can hold the client accountable if there’s a default.

3. Make sure that new agreements or changes to the project are reflected in the contract. For example, if the client still needs you for an extended period, it should be reflected in the contract. Update the contract with any new changes.

4. Don’t sign a one-sided contract. If the contract is written to make you responsible with no liability from the client, then that job is not for you. The essence of a contract is to bind both parties, not one.

5. Don’t sign a contract that doesn’t look customised to the project. I see this with small solo businesses. Sometimes, they forget to change the name of the previous freelancer or edit some terms in the contract. If you notice this, notify the client to make the changes.

6. Don’t sign a contract under duress. Typically, both parties should have a deadline to sign the contract. But if you are cajoled into signing a contract without reviewing it, do not sign it.

7. Look out for French terms that should not be in the contract. Some clients have a habit of including clauses meant for employees to confuse freelancers. If you spot them, tell the client.

Also read: 12+ hard truths about freelancing

FAQs on Freelance Contract Clauses France

To Finish

I have been freelancing in France for four years now, and I can assure you that you don’t need complicated legal words for your contracts. Your contract should be simple, clear, and cover the interests of both parties.

I have a guide to help you write contracts while working in France. And if you are new to freelancing in France, please review this article.

Make sure to draft and sign a contract that works for you, and review it thoroughly before any project. If you are unclear on which to go, use a freelance contract template as a guide. You can also accept your client’s contract, but don’t forget to review it word-for-word.

Remember, a contract is there to give you peace of mind and ensure that no one attacks your integrity. So, ensure that your freelance contract clauses are solid while freelancing in France.

Toodals!