Accounting and invoicing for translators

Technical translation, certified translation, interpreting and proofreading: translators bill by line, word or hour and work for agencies and direct clients in several countries. Saldiqo writes invoices by scope, picks the matching tax type for clients abroad and reminds on long payment terms.

Updated: 16 October 2026

What comes up for translators

Price by scope

Words, standard lines, pages or hours: the invoice states the basis of the price.

Agencies with long terms

Translation agencies often pay after 30 to 60 days. Whoever does not follow up waits long.

Clients abroad

Agencies and direct clients sit in many countries. The tax type has to be right.

How Saldiqo helps

Invoice by wordsWord price as an item with quantity.
Agencies as contactsStore the payment term, send reminders.
Reverse chargeFor businesses in the EU.
Interpreting by timeAssignments with travel as lines.

Typical invoice lines

Examples that often appear on invoices in this industry. You set the prices yourself.

Technical translation English to German, 3,200 words
Certified translation, page
Proofreading of the translation, hours
Interpreting, half a day
Rush surcharge for delivery in 24 hours
Travel as per receipt

Tax and invoicing in Cyprus

What applies to invoices in Cyprus, in short. As of October 2026.

VAT: Rates 19 %, 9 %, 5 % and 3 %, plus 0 % until 31 December 2026 for infant milk, nappies, hygiene products and fresh fruit and vegetables.
VAT registration: The threshold is €15,600 of taxable turnover over 12 months, or expected within the next 30 days. If you sell services to businesses in other EU countries, you generally register from the first sale. Until you are registered, Saldiqo leaves VAT off and adds up your turnover.
What goes on an invoice: Even businesses that are not VAT registered must issue invoices and receipts. Companies show their name, HE number, the words “private company” where they apply, and their registered office. Notes such as reverse charge appear in Greek and English.
Invoice timing: Issue invoices within 30 days.
E-invoicing: There is no mandate. Public bodies accept e-invoices (Peppol BIS 3.0) and suppliers send them voluntarily. EU rules follow from 1 July 2030.
VAT returns: VAT4 returns are filed online through TFA, quarterly with staggered periods, by the 10th of the second month after the period, moved to the next working day if it falls on a weekend. Saldiqo does not file returns.
Record keeping: Plan for 10 years. The minimum is 6 years, VAT records can need up to 7 years, and OSS records 10 years.
Late payment: Interest on late business payments is 10.40 %, plus €40 compensation between businesses.
Languages: Use Saldiqo in Greek or English and send invoices in either language.

Frequently asked questions

How do I bill by word?

You create the word price as an item and enter the word count as the quantity.

How do I treat agencies in the EU?

With the tax type reverse charge. The rule for the agency you clear with your tax adviser.

Do translators in Cyprus have to charge VAT?

Once they are registered, yes. The threshold is €15,600 over 12 months, or expected within 30 days. Services to businesses in other EU countries require registration from the first sale.

Do translators in Cyprus need e-invoicing?

No. Public bodies accept e-invoices through Peppol and suppliers use it voluntarily. EU rules follow from July 2030, so PDF invoices remain fine today.

How long should translators keep invoices?

Plan for 10 years: the minimum is 6 years, VAT records can need up to 7 and OSS records 10. You can store receipts digitally in Saldiqo. The legal duty to keep records stays with you.

Try Saldiqo for free

Write invoices, match payments, collect receipts and send reminders: free and without a trial period.

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As of October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice, without guarantee. For your case ask your tax adviser.