Invoice due dates explained
'Net 30', 'EOM' and 'payment on receipt' all describe when an invoice must be paid, but each one gives a different date. Here's what each term means, how to work out the exact date, and what applies if you never agreed one.
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Common payment terms
| Term | Meaning | Invoice dated Mon 12 Oct 2026 is due |
|---|---|---|
| Due on receipt / immediately | Payable as soon as it's received | 12 Oct (if received that day) |
| Net 7 | 7 days after the invoice date | Mon 19 Oct |
| Net 14 | 14 days after | Mon 26 Oct |
| Net 30 | 30 days after | Wed 11 Nov |
| EOM (end of month) | Last day of the invoice month | Sat 31 Oct |
| 30 days EOM | 30 days after the end of the invoice month | Mon 30 Nov |
| "Friday of the same week" | Common for weekly agency pay runs | Fri 16 Oct |
"Net" simply means the full amount, with no early-payment discount. Count calendar days, not working days, unless your contract says otherwise.
Always show an actual date
"Net 30" leaves room for argument. Did it start from the invoice date, the day it was received, or the day it was approved? Write the date itself: "Payment due by Wednesday 11 November 2026". It's unambiguous and it's the date your chasing and any late payment interest run from.
What if no terms were agreed?
For business-to-business sales, GOV.UK explains that if you haven't agreed a payment date, payment is due 30 days after the customer receives the invoice, or the goods or services, whichever is later. That's the point from which statutory late payment interest can run. For public authorities and large businesses there are maximum terms set by law and by codes of practice. See our payment terms guide.
Terms that suit weekly contract work
If you invoice weekly, a 30-day term means you're always carrying four or five weeks of unpaid work. Weekly agency workers are commonly paid within the same or the following week, tied to the agency's timesheet cut-off and pay run. Find out when the pay run is, and set your due date to match it, for example the Friday of the week you invoice. If you invoice monthly, 14 or 30 days is typical.
Due dates on weekends and bank holidays
If the due date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, it's sensible to treat the next working day as the practical deadline, especially for bank transfers. Better still, pick terms that land on a working day.
Can you change your terms?
Terms are part of your agreement, so agree them at the start (in a contract, quote or email) and put them on every invoice. To change them for an existing client, give notice in writing before the next piece of work, rather than surprising them on an invoice.
Checklist
- Agree terms before the work starts.
- Show the due date, not just "net X".
- Match weekly terms to the client's pay run.
- Track overdue invoices and chase on day one.
Counting the days: a worked example
An invoice is dated Thursday 29 October 2026 with "net 30" terms. Counting calendar days from the invoice date, 30 days later is Saturday 28 November 2026. That is a weekend, so a bank transfer sent on the Friday arrives in time, but one sent on the Saturday may not clear until Monday 30 November. If you wrote "payment due by Friday 27 November 2026" instead, nobody would need to work it out. When you pick terms, check the weekday the date lands on.
The same invoice with "30 days EOM" runs 30 days from the end of October. 31 October plus 30 days is Monday 30 November 2026. That is two days later than net 30 in this example, which is why it matters which term appears on the invoice.
Invoice date or date received?
Contracts often count from the invoice date, but the default rule GOV.UK describes counts from when the customer receives the invoice, or the goods or services, whichever is later. If your terms say "30 days from invoice date", put that in your agreement and make sure the invoice reaches the client the same day. Sending an invoice late eats into your terms, because the date on it is not the date they got it. Email it on the day you date it.
When the date passes
Once a business customer misses the due date, you can usually claim statutory interest and a fixed sum for late payment. The late payment interest calculator shows the sums and the guide to late payment interest for subcontractors explains how to claim. Start chasing on the day after the due date, using the steps in how to chase an unpaid invoice. Remember that the statutory scheme does not cover private customers such as homeowners, so for them your written terms matter most.
Frequently asked questions
What does net 30 mean?
Payment of the full amount is due 30 calendar days after the invoice date, unless the contract defines the start point differently.
What does EOM mean on an invoice?
End of month: payment is due by the last day of the month the invoice is dated. '30 days EOM' means 30 days after that.
What's the default payment term in the UK?
For business-to-business sales without agreed terms, payment is due 30 days after the customer receives the invoice or the goods or services, whichever is later.
Should I use 'due on receipt'?
It's legitimate, but some clients ignore it. A specific short date such as 7 days is often more effective.
Does the due date count from the invoice date or the date it is received?
It depends on what was agreed. If no terms were agreed, GOV.UK says payment is due 30 days after the customer receives the invoice or the goods or services, whichever is later. Email the invoice on the day you date it.
What does 30 days EOM mean in practice?
Thirty days after the end of the invoice month. An invoice dated 29 October 2026 is due on 30 November 2026.
Sources
- Late commercial payments: charging interest and debt recovery – GOV.UK
- Invoicing and taking payment from customers – GOV.UK
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and rates change, so check the linked GOV.UK pages for the current position.