Before the due date
A friendly reminder, a few days before.
Automation · 2026 edition
Automatic payment reminders: get paid without chasing
Chasing a customer takes time and a bit of courage. The result: you wait, and your cash flow suffers. An automatic reminder goes out at the right time, in the right tone, for every invoice. Here is the schedule to follow, template messages and the rules to respect.
- The timeline
- Messages
- The rules
Updated October 2026Rules checkedNo jargon
Automatic reminders in 30 seconds
In short
Automatic payment reminders send scheduled messages based on each invoice's due date: a friendly reminder just before, a follow-up just after, then a firmer message. They stop as soon as payment is received. You stay in control of the last step, the formal demand for payment, and of the customers you prefer to handle yourself.
After the due date
A short reminder, with the invoice attached.
Then, firmer
Late payment interest and compensation mentioned.
You decide
You approve the formal demand yourself.
A reminder schedule that works
Adapt it to your payment terms. Consistency is what matters: every invoice follows the same sequence.
| When | Message | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| D-3 before the due date | Reminder of the invoice, amount and date | Friendly, helpful |
| D+1 after the due date | The invoice appears unpaid, here is the payment link | Neutral, factual |
| D+10 | Second reminder, asking for a payment date | Direct |
| D+20 | Reminder of late payment interest and the €40 compensation | Firm |
| D+30 | Phone call or personal message | Human |
| D+45 | Formal demand by recorded delivery, approved by you | Formal |
Reminders stop automatically as soon as the payment is matched. A customer who has already paid should never receive a reminder.
What the law says between businesses
In the EU, the Late Payment Directive (2011/7/EU) sets common rules for invoices between businesses, which each country applies in its own law. They give weight to your reminders.
Payment terms
30 days by default. More than 60 days only if expressly agreed and not grossly unfair. Some countries set stricter limits.
Late payment interest
It runs from the day after the due date, with no reminder needed.
Default rate
If no rate is agreed, at least the European Central Bank reference rate plus 8 points. Some countries set a higher rate.
€40 compensation
A fixed compensation of at least €40 per late invoice is owed by the business customer.
Invoice details
Show the due date and your late payment terms on the invoice. Check what your country requires.
Consumer customers
Late payment interest and the €40 compensation do not apply in the same way. Stick to courteous reminders.
Automate your reminders in five steps
A successful reminder is short, polite and makes paying easy.
Your reminders go out on their own
Our automatic unpaid invoice reminder solution tracks every due date, sends reminders at the right time and stops as soon as the customer has paid.
Custom schedule
Your terms, your tone, your steps.
Email or WhatsApp
The channel your customers actually read.
Payment link
The customer pays in one click from the message.
Overdue dashboard
Who owes what, and since when, at a glance.
Your questions, our answers
How do you send payment reminders to customers automatically?
Schedule reminders based on each invoice's due date, linked to your payment tracking. The sequence stops as soon as the invoice is paid.
When should you chase an unpaid invoice?
A friendly reminder a few days before the due date, then a reminder the day after, at D+10 and at D+20. After 30 to 45 days, move on to a phone call, then a formal demand for payment.
What should a payment reminder email include?
The invoice number and date, the amount, the missed due date and a simple way to pay. Keep it short and polite.
Is the €40 compensation mandatory?
Between businesses in the EU, yes: under the Late Payment Directive, it is due automatically for every invoice paid late. Check whether your country also requires it to appear on the invoice.
Can an automatic reminder upset a customer?
Yes, if it goes out when they have already paid. That is why it must be linked to your payment tracking and keep a courteous tone.
What if the customer still does not pay?
Send a formal demand for payment by recorded delivery, then consider a court payment order procedure under your country's rules.
Sources: Directive 2011/7/EU on combating late payment in commercial transactions · your country's rules on payment terms and late payment.
General information, up to date as of October 2026. It does not replace professional advice.
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