What payment terms can I put on a UK invoice?

The short answer

You can agree any payment date with your customer before the work starts. Between businesses, GOV.UK says the agreed date must usually be within 60 days, or 30 days for public authorities. A longer period is allowed if it is fair to both sides. If you agreed no date, payment is usually late after 30 days.

Agree it before the work

Payment terms work best when the customer agrees them before you start, in your quote, order or contract. Put the same terms on every invoice, with the due date written out in full, such as 30 November, not just a number of days.

The limits in law

Between businesses, an agreed date must usually be within 60 days. It can be longer if that is fair to both businesses.
For public authorities, it must usually be within 30 days.
If you agreed no date, payment is late 30 days after the customer gets the invoice or you do the work, whichever is later.

What to put on the invoice

The date of the invoice, and the date payment is due.
How to pay, with a reference to use.
Your terms in one line, such as payment within 14 days.
A note that you may claim statutory interest on late payment.

Shorter terms get paid sooner

Shorter terms give a late payer less room. Many small firms ask for 14 days, or part payment up front on larger jobs. Whatever you choose, chase on the day after the due date, so the customer knows the date matters.