Doxuno
Browse All Free Templates
Doxuno
BusinessIE

Freelance Contract Template (Ireland)

A freelance contract is a tailored services agreement between a self-employed freelancer and a client in Ireland. Our free Irish template covers scope, fees in euro, intellectual property, confidentiality, and termination, drafted to comply with the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 and Revenue guidance on self-employment.

Create Your Freelance Contract
Free to useInstant PDFNo account required
FREELANCE CONTRACT
Services Agreement · Ireland
CLIENT
Emerald Digital Ltd.
12 Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2, D02 HH90
By: Aoife Ní Bhriain, Chief Executive Officer
FREELANCER
Darragh Ó Treasaigh
8 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 NY52
By: PPSN: 1234567T · VAT: IE1234567T
Brand Identity and Website Design
Start: 15 April 2026 · Due: 15 June 2026 · Fee: 6,000.00 EUR
This Freelance Contract (this "Agreement") is entered into as of 15 April 2026 between Emerald Digital Ltd. ("Client") and Darragh Ó Treasaigh ("Freelancer"). The parties agree as follows:
1.
ENGAGEMENT
The Client engages the Freelancer, and the Freelancer agrees to provide, the services described in this Agreement on the terms set out herein. This Agreement is a contract for services and is governed by Irish common law and, where applicable, the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 (SGSS 1980). The Freelancer shall provide the services with reasonable care, skill and diligence in accordance with SGSS 1980 s. 39.
2.
PROJECT SCOPE AND DELIVERABLES
The Freelancer shall carry out the following project (the "Project"): Brand Identity and Website Design.

Project description: Design and deliver a complete brand identity package including logo, colour palette, typography guide, and a 5-page responsive website built on WordPress.

Milestones and revisions: Week 2: Brand concept presentation. Week 4: Website wireframes. Week 6: Final delivery. Two rounds of revisions included.. Any additional work outside the scope described above shall be treated as a change order and shall require a written amendment to this Agreement specifying the additional fees and timeline.
3.
TIMELINE
The Project shall commence on 15 April 2026 and shall be completed by 15 June 2026. Time is not of the essence unless expressly stated in writing. The Freelancer shall notify the Client promptly of any anticipated delays. Delays caused by the Client's failure to provide necessary materials, instructions or approvals shall extend the agreed completion date by the corresponding period.
4.
FEES AND PAYMENT
The Client shall pay the Freelancer a total project fee of 6,000.00 EUR (exclusive of VAT where applicable) in accordance with the following schedule: 50% upon signing and 50% upon final delivery. Invoices shall be payable within 30 days of the invoice date. Interest on overdue amounts shall accrue at the rate prescribed by the European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 580/2012), being the ECB reference rate plus 8 percentage points. The Freelancer is registered for VAT (No. IE1234567T); VAT shall be charged at the applicable rate.
5.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS
The Freelancer is engaged as an independent contractor and not as an employee, worker, agent or partner of the Client. Nothing in this Agreement shall create an employment relationship between the parties. The Freelancer shall be responsible for their own tax liabilities, PRSI contributions, and VAT obligations. The parties acknowledge the Code of Practice for Determining Employment or Self-Employment Status of Individuals (2021) issued by the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection, and confirm that the engagement is intended to be one of self-employment. The Freelancer shall not hold themselves out as an employee of the Client and shall not have authority to bind the Client in contract.
6.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
The Freelancer hereby assigns to the Client, by way of present and future assignment, all intellectual property rights (including copyright, database rights, design rights, trade marks and any other intellectual or industrial property rights) in and to all works, materials and deliverables created by the Freelancer in the performance of this Agreement (the "Works"), including all drafts and preparatory materials. This assignment shall take effect upon receipt by the Freelancer of all fees due under this Agreement. Until full payment, the Freelancer grants the Client a non-exclusive licence to use the Works solely in connection with the Project. This clause is intended to constitute an assignment within the meaning of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 (CRRA 2000). The Freelancer irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all moral rights in and to the Works under CRRA 2000 ss. 107–112, including the right of attribution and the right of integrity. This waiver is in favour of the Client and all subsequent owners and users of the Works.
7.
DATA PROTECTION AND GDPR
Where the Freelancer processes personal data on behalf of the Client in the performance of this Agreement, the following terms apply pursuant to GDPR Article 28 and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018): (a) Emerald Digital Ltd. is the Data Controller; (b) Darragh Ó Treasaigh is the Data Processor; (c) the Processor shall process personal data only on documented instructions from the Controller; (d) the Processor shall implement appropriate technical and organisational security measures to protect personal data against unauthorised or unlawful processing and against accidental loss, destruction or damage; (e) the Processor shall not engage sub-processors without the prior written consent of the Controller; (f) the Processor shall assist the Controller in responding to data subject rights requests; (g) the Processor shall delete or return all personal data on termination of this Agreement; and (h) the Processor shall notify the Controller without undue delay upon becoming aware of a personal data breach. The parties acknowledge that the Data Protection Commission (DPC) is Ireland's lead supervisory authority under GDPR.
8.
NON-SOLICITATION
For a period of 6 months following the completion or termination of this Agreement, each party agrees not to directly solicit, recruit, or attempt to engage any employee, contractor, or key personnel of the other party with whom they had material contact in connection with this Project, without the prior written consent of the other party. This restriction is limited in scope and duration to what is reasonably necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of both parties, consistent with the principles applied by Irish courts to restrictive covenants.
9.
REVISIONS AND CHANGE ORDERS
The Freelancer shall provide revisions included within the Project scope as described in Clause 2. Requests for additional revisions or work outside the agreed scope shall constitute a change order. All change orders must be agreed in writing between the parties and shall specify any additional fees and revised timeline before work commences. The Freelancer is not obliged to commence additional work until a change order is signed by both parties.
10.
KILL FEE
If the Client cancels or indefinitely postpones the Project after the execution of this Agreement but before final delivery, the Client shall pay the Freelancer: (a) all fees for work completed to the date of cancellation; and (b) a kill fee of 50% of the remaining balance of the total project fee. This kill fee is agreed as a genuine pre-estimate of the Freelancer's loss arising from cancellation and is enforceable as a liquidated damages clause under Irish contract law.
11.
TERMINATION
Either party may terminate this Agreement by giving 14 days' written notice to the other party. The Client may terminate immediately for material breach by the Freelancer (including failure to deliver to agreed quality standards). The Freelancer may terminate immediately if the Client fails to pay any undisputed invoice within fourteen (14) days of its due date. On termination: (a) the Client shall pay all fees earned by the Freelancer up to the termination date; (b) any applicable kill fee shall be payable; and (c) each party shall promptly return or certifiably destroy the other's confidential information and materials.
12.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Each party shall keep confidential all non-public information received from the other party in connection with this Project (the "Confidential Information"). Neither party shall disclose Confidential Information to any third party without prior written consent, except to the extent required by law, regulation or court order (in which case the disclosing party shall give prompt written notice). This obligation shall survive the completion or termination of this Agreement for a period of three (3) years.
13.
GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Ireland. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement that cannot be resolved amicably shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ireland. Electronic signatures are valid and enforceable under the Electronic Commerce Act 2000 (ECA 2000) s. 13 and eIDAS Regulation (EU) No 910/2014.
14.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the Project and supersedes all prior discussions, proposals and understandings. Amendment: No amendment shall be valid unless in writing and signed by both parties. Severability: If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. Waiver: Failure to enforce any provision shall not constitute a waiver. Assignment: The Freelancer may not assign or sub-contract this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Client.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date first written above.
CLIENT
Aoife Ní Bhriain
Chief Executive Officer
Emerald Digital Ltd.
Date: ____________________
FREELANCER
Darragh Ó Treasaigh
Date: ____________________

What Is a Freelance Contract?

A freelance contract is a commercial agreement under which an independent professional — a designer, developer, copywriter, photographer, translator or consultant — agrees to deliver specified services to a client in return for a fee. Unlike an employment contract, it creates no employer-employee relationship: the freelancer retains control over how the work is performed, bears the commercial risk, and is responsible for their own tax, PRSI and USC.

In Ireland, freelancers typically operate as sole traders registered with the Revenue Commissioners under a Tax Reference Number, or through a limited company registered with the Companies Registration Office (CRO). The freelance contract should accurately reflect this independent status, because the Revenue Commissioners and the Workplace Relations Commission can re-classify a disguised employment relationship.

A well-drafted freelance contract protects both sides. The freelancer secures clarity on scope, payment terms and intellectual property ownership; the client obtains deliverables on time, confidentiality over sensitive information, and certainty over VAT treatment. Statutory terms under the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 require freelancers to supply services with reasonable skill and within a reasonable time.

What's Covered in This Template

Our Irish freelance contract covers every practical clause a freelancer or client needs for a clean engagement.

Party Details

Freelancer and client names, addresses with Eircode, CRO/Revenue references.

Scope of Work

Clear description of deliverables, revisions, and acceptance criteria.

Fees and VAT

Fixed fee, hourly rate or milestone-based payments in euro with VAT treatment.

Invoicing and Payment

Invoice schedule, payment term, and late-payment interest under the 2012 Regulations.

Independent Contractor Status

Explicit confirmation of self-employed status for Revenue purposes.

Intellectual Property

Ownership, licence, and background IP under the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000.

Confidentiality

Non-disclosure obligations protecting client and freelancer information.

Data Protection

GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 obligations where personal data is processed.

Revisions and Change Requests

How scope changes are priced and agreed.

Termination

Notice period, kill fee on early termination, and termination for breach.

Liability

Reasonable caps on liability in line with Irish law.

Governing Law

Ireland as the governing law and Irish courts as the forum.

How to Create a Freelance Contract

Produce a compliant Irish freelance contract in a few minutes.

  1. 1

    Enter the Parties

    Provide legal names, addresses including Eircode, and tax references for freelancer and client.

  2. 2

    Describe the Deliverables

    Define the services, output, milestones, and acceptance criteria in plain language.

  3. 3

    Set Fees and Payment Terms

    Choose the pricing model, state VAT treatment, and set invoice and payment intervals.

  4. 4

    Configure IP and Confidentiality

    Decide whether IP is assigned on payment or licensed, and add NDA-style confidentiality obligations.

  5. 5

    Review and Download

    Confirm Irish governing law, review the contract, and download a signature-ready PDF.

Legal Considerations in Ireland

Freelancing in Ireland is governed by contract law, Revenue rules on self-employment, and the statutory implied terms for services.

This template is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified Irish solicitor for bespoke advice.

Drafted for Irish law

Self-Employment and Revenue Classification

The Revenue Commissioners’ Code of Practice on Determining Employment Status and the Supreme Court decision in Karshan (Midlands) Ltd t/a Domino’s Pizza v Revenue Commissioners [2023] IESC 24 set out the framework for distinguishing self-employed contractors from employees. Freelancers should be genuinely in business on their own account, exercising control over how they work.

Implied Terms under the 1980 Act

Section 39 of the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act 1980 implies that the supplier will perform with the necessary skill, using materials fit for purpose, and within a reasonable time. These implied terms sit alongside the express terms of the contract.

Late Payment Rights

The European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations 2012 entitle a business supplier to statutory interest and €40 minimum compensation per overdue invoice, reinforcing a freelancer’s ability to recover late fees without court action where feasible.

Intellectual Property Defaults

Under section 21 of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000, the author of a commissioned work normally retains copyright unless assigned in writing. Clients who wish to own the work must ensure the contract includes a written assignment signed by the freelancer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Create Your Freelance Contract Now

Protect your work and get paid on time with a compliant Irish freelance contract. Download the PDF in minutes.

Create Your Freelance ContractBrowse All Templates

Free · Instant PDF · No account required