Freelancing in Europe is exciting — but also a little tricky. Every country has its own cultural norms, especially when it comes to communication. What sounds confident in one country might feel too blunt in another. And what’s considered “friendly” in one region might seem overly casual elsewhere.
Here’s your quick cheat sheet to working with clients from Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the UK — four of the most common markets for European freelancers.
🇩🇪 Germany: Be Precise, Prepared, and Punctual
Germans value structure, clarity, and reliability. No fluff needed.
✅ Keep emails professional and straight to the point
✅ Be ready with details: budgets, timelines, deliverables
✅ Stick to agreed deadlines — and communicate early if anything changes
✅ Meetings tend to be formal (even on Zoom)
💬 How to greet:
“Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]” if you don’t know them well
Casual “Hi [First Name]” is fine once the relationship is warmer
🚫 Avoid too much small talk or vague promises like “we’ll figure it out later.”
🇫🇷 France: Respect Formality and Show Confidence
French business culture can be quite formal, especially at the start. A confident, respectful tone earns trust.
✅ Use formal greetings in early communication
✅ Present yourself as an expert — credentials and past work matter
✅ Be polite but assertive — don’t undersell your skills
✅ Be prepared for negotiation (price, scope, timing)
💬 How to greet:
“Bonjour Monsieur/Madame [Last Name]” in writing
Switch to “tu” and first names only when invited
🚫 Don’t rush the relationship — let trust build over time
🇳🇱 Netherlands: Be Direct and Down-to-Earth
Dutch clients are famously direct — but don’t mistake that for rudeness. They just value honesty and efficiency.
✅ Say what you mean. Clear > polite
✅ Expect quick replies and fast decisions
✅ Feel free to speak your mind (respectfully)
✅ A bit of informality is welcome, even early on
💬 How to greet:
“Hi [First Name]” is totally fine — even in first contact
🚫 Avoid being vague or overly humble — just get to the point
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Be Polite, Understated, and Flexible
British communication is all about nuance, politeness, and understatement. Even difficult feedback may be wrapped in soft language.
✅ Read between the lines — “interesting” might mean “not great”
✅ Be polite in all communication
✅ Avoid coming on too strong — they don’t like hard selling
✅ Show flexibility and openness to collaboration
💬 How to greet:
“Hi [First Name]” or “Dear [First Name]” in emails
A warm “Hope you’re well” is common in opening lines
🚫 Avoid being too blunt — soften strong opinions with phrases like “perhaps” or “might be worth considering”
Final Tips for Working Across Europe:
🌍 Everyone appreciates:
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Clear project timelines
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Respectful tone
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Real interest in their business
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Communication in their time zone
✍️ Pro tip: Use your first message or call to gently ask:
“How do you prefer to communicate — quick calls, emails, or something else?”
They’ll appreciate the thoughtfulness — and it saves time later.
You don’t have to be perfect — just aware and adaptable.
Good freelancers adjust their process. Great freelancers adjust their communication style, too.
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