How to cancel your Freelancer account and reclaim your money in ireland
What Freelancer is and why you might want to leave
Freelancer is a global marketplace where clients post projects and independent contractors bid to win work. The platform operates on a tiered membership model, offering paid subscription plans that unlock bidding credits, profile visibility enhancements, and access to premium project features. You can use Freelancer without a paid membership, but many active freelancers upgrade to increase their competitiveness and project reach. Membership fees renew automatically unless you actively cancel, which is where many Irish users run into trouble. At Yafee, we help thousands of consumers navigate exactly this scenario each month.
How freelancer's subscription model works
When you sign up for a paid membership on Freelancer, you commit to a recurring monthly or annual charge. The platform displays pricing in US dollars, but your card will be charged in euro at the current exchange rate. Your subscription renews automatically on the same date each month or year unless you cancel beforehand. This automatic renewal is legal under Irish consumer law, but the platform must give you clear notice before charging you and provide a straightforward way to cancel. If Freelancer has not done that, you may have grounds to dispute the charge.
Common reasons irish users cancel Freelancer
Irish freelancers and clients typically cancel for three reasons: they have completed their project work and no longer need the premium features; they are frustrated with the quality of leads or competition on the platform; or they are unhappy with unexpected charges or billing errors. Others cancel because they have moved to competing platforms like Upwork or Toptal. Whatever your reason, you deserve a clear, hassle-free exit process. Yafee exists to make sure you understand your rights before you take action.
Understanding your consumer rights under irish and EU law
Your right to cancel Freelancer is protected by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, both of which apply to Irish consumers. These laws give you powerful leverage if you know how to use them. Furthermore, the Distance Marketing Directive ensures that digital services like Freelancer memberships fall under the same consumer protections as physical goods.
The 14-day cooling-off period
If you are a consumer (not a business acting in a commercial capacity), you have the right to withdraw from a distance contract within 14 calendar days of signing up, with no penalty and no questions asked. This cooling-off period applies to digital services like Freelancer memberships. The 14 days runs from the day you conclude the contract, not from the day the first charge appears. Practical tip: if you signed up for a monthly membership and realised within 14 days that you did not want it, you can still invoke cooling-off rights even if you have already been charged. Keep your signup confirmation email as evidence of the contract date. Yafee recommends you preserve all emails related to your subscription setup, as these become your proof if you later need to dispute a charge.
Refund rights after the cooling-off period
After 14 days, you lose automatic cooling-off rights, but you can still cancel your subscription at any time. However, Freelancer's terms may restrict your ability to claim a refund for the current billing period. Many subscription platforms claim you forfeit the current month's fee if you cancel mid-cycle. Under Irish law, this is enforceable only if the terms were clearly disclosed before you bought the subscription. If you were not given explicit warning about losing the current month's fees, Yafee recommends you dispute any refusal to refund. Consequently, your first step is to review the cancellation terms you accepted when you signed up.
Your statutory rights if Freelancer breaches its obligations
Freelancer must provide you with certain information before you buy: the full price in euro or your local currency, the cancellation terms, the cooling-off period, and the automatic renewal date. If any of this information was missing or unclear, your cooling-off period extends to 12 months. This is a powerful lever. If you can show that Freelancer did not clearly explain recurring charges or the cancellation method, you can demand a full refund even months after purchase. In accordance with the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you must prove that the pre-purchase information was deficient. Save screenshots of the website as it appeared when you signed up, as these strengthen your claim.
Your legal position: You are protected by Irish and EU consumer law. If Freelancer charged you without clear consent, failed to provide cancellation instructions, or did not honour a cancellation request within a reasonable timeframe, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). This is the Irish enforcement body for consumer rights and can compel Freelancer to refund you if the law has been broken.
Pricing and subscription tiers on Freelancer
Freelancer offers multiple membership levels, each with different renewal costs and features. Understanding the exact tier you purchased is essential before you cancel, because refund entitlement may vary by plan type. The table below outlines the main subscription options available to Irish users.
| Plan name |
Renewal cost (EUR approx.) |
Billing cycle |
Key features |
| Free |
EUR 0 |
N/A |
Basic bidding, limited visibility |
| Plus |
EUR 9-12/month |
Monthly |
Extra bidding credits, enhanced profile |
| Premium |
EUR 16-20/month |
Monthly |
Priority support, featured profile |
| Gold |
EUR 50-65/month |
Monthly |
Maximum credits, dedicated support |
| Annual plans |
EUR 80-180/year |
Annual |
All premium features, discount applied |
Exchange rates fluctuate daily, so your actual euro charge may differ from these estimates. Yafee recommends you check your most recent bank statement to confirm the exact amount you are being charged. If the charge exceeds what you saw quoted on the website, you may have grounds to dispute it as a misleading price.
The cancellation process for Freelancer accounts
Cancelling your Freelancer subscription involves specific steps laid out by the platform. You must follow these steps in sequence to ensure your cancellation is recorded and processed correctly. Yafee has compiled the official method below, broken down by point of action.
Step 1: log in and access your account settings
- Go to freelancer.com and log in with your email and password.
- Click your profile avatar in the top right corner of the dashboard.
- Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
- Navigate to the "Membership" or "Subscription" section (the label may vary by account type).
Step 2: locate your active membership and review the cancellation terms
- In the Membership section, you will see your current plan, renewal date, and cost.
- Read the cancellation terms displayed on screen. Note any mid-cycle refund restrictions.
- If the terms are unclear or contradict what you were told at purchase, take a screenshot before proceeding.
Step 3: initiate the online cancellation
- Look for a button labelled "Cancel Membership" or "Downgrade Plan".
- Click this button. Freelancer may display a confirmation dialog asking why you are cancelling (this is optional feedback).
- Confirm your cancellation. The platform will issue a cancellation confirmation message on screen.
- A confirmation email will be sent to your registered email address within minutes. Save this email as proof of cancellation.
Step 4: verify the cancellation status
- Return to your Settings and Membership section within 24 hours.
- Confirm that the membership status now reads "Cancelled", "Downgraded", or "Inactive".
- If it still shows as "Active", repeat Step 3 or contact support immediately (see Step 5).
Step 5: contact support if the online method fails
If the online cancellation option is not available or does not work, you must contact Freelancer support directly. In accordance with Irish consumer law, Freelancer is obligated to provide you with an accessible cancellation method. Do not accept a response that forces you to use only one channel. Here is how to escalate:
- Email [email protected] with the subject line: "Cancellation request - [Your account email]".
- Include the following details:
- Your full name and account email address
- Your current membership tier and renewal date
- A clear statement: "I request cancellation of my subscription effective immediately."
- Your preferred date for cancellation (if after the current renewal date, state this)
- Request written confirmation of cancellation within 5 business days. Under Irish consumer law, the company must acknowledge your request promptly.
- If you do not receive a response within 5 business days, send a follow-up email with the subject line: "Urgent: Cancellation follow-up - [Your account email]". Reference your first email by date and time sent.
What happens after you cancel
Cancellation does not happen instantly. You must understand what occurs in the days and weeks after you submit your request, so you can monitor your account and dispute any unwanted charges. Yafee advises all consumers to track the following timeline carefully.
Immediate effects of cancellation
When you cancel, your membership status changes, but you retain access to your account until the current billing period ends. For example, if you cancel on 15 January and your renewal date is 25 January, you remain a paid member until 25 January. After that date, your account downgrades to free membership automatically. This is standard practice and is legal provided it was clearly disclosed in the cancellation terms. You can still access your messages and past projects, but you lose access to premium features like enhanced bidding and priority support.
Refund processing timeline
If you are entitled to a refund under the 14-day cooling-off period or due to a breach by Freelancer, the company must process the refund within 30 days of your cancellation request. In practice, refunds take 5 to 15 business days to appear in your bank account, depending on your bank's processing speed. Check your bank statement and your account email for refund confirmation. If no refund appears after 15 business days and you are entitled to one, contact your bank to confirm the payment was received by them, then follow up with Freelancer support.
Stop unwanted recurring charges
After you cancel, verify that no further charges appear on your bank or credit card statement. Set a calendar reminder for the day after your billing cycle would have renewed (e.g., if renewal was 25 January, set a reminder for 26 January). Check your statement on that date. If an unauthorised charge appears, you have the right to dispute it with your bank under the chargeback procedure. Contact your bank immediately and provide them with your cancellation confirmation email as evidence. The bank will recover the funds on your behalf.
Refund entitlement and what to claim
Not every cancellation comes with a refund. Your entitlement depends on when you cancel relative to your purchase date and whether Freelancer has breached its legal obligations. Below is a clear breakdown of when you can claim money back.
Full refund scenarios
You are entitled to a full refund of your membership fee if any of the following apply:
- You cancel within 14 days of purchase. This is your cooling-off right under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. It applies even if you have already used the service or the billing period has not yet started.
- Freelancer failed to provide clear pre-purchase information. If the website did not clearly state the price in euro, the renewal date, or the cancellation method before you paid, you can claim a refund up to 12 months after purchase.
- You cancelled, but Freelancer continued to charge you after the cancellation date. Any charges after your confirmed cancellation date are unauthorised and must be refunded in full.
- The service was not provided as described. If Freelancer promised certain features or support levels and failed to deliver, you may have a claim for damages or a partial refund.
Partial refund scenarios
You may be entitled to a partial refund if you cancel mid-cycle and Freelancer's cancellation terms permit pro-rata refunds. Many platforms calculate this as the daily rate of your membership multiplied by the unused days remaining. For example, if you paid EUR 15 for a month and cancel on day 20 of 30, you might receive EUR 5 back. However, Freelancer's terms may not permit this, so check your cancellation terms carefully. If the terms are ambiguous, Yafee recommends you assume you have the right to a pro-rata refund and request it. If refused, escalate to the CCPC.
No refund scenarios
You will not be entitled to a refund if you cancel after the 14-day cooling-off period and more than 14 days into a subscription that is longer than one month (e.g., an annual plan). Consequently, your strategy in this case is to cancel immediately to prevent future charges, rather than to recover past fees. Nevertheless, always verify that Freelancer's cancellation terms were clearly shown to you at purchase. If they were not, you retain the 12-month extended cooling-off period and can still claim a refund.
How to claim a refund from Freelancer
If you believe you are entitled to a refund, you must follow a formal escalation process. Yafee has outlined the steps below.
Step 1: request a refund in writing via email
- Email [email protected] with the subject line: "Refund request - [Your account email] - [Membership tier]".
- State the following:
- The date you purchased the membership
- The amount charged in euro
- The date you cancelled
- The reason for your refund claim (e.g., "Cancellation within 14-day cooling-off period" or "Continued charging after cancellation date")
- The Consumer Rights Act 2015 provision you are relying on (if applicable)
- Request a written response within 10 business days.
Step 2: escalate if Freelancer refuses or does not respond
If Freelancer refuses to refund or does not respond within 10 business days, you have the right to escalate to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). The CCPC is the Irish statutory authority responsible for enforcing consumer protection law. You can lodge a complaint free of charge on the CCPC website at ccpc.ie. Provide the CCPC with copies of all emails, your cancellation confirmation, and your bank statements showing the charges and any refund attempt. The CCPC can compel Freelancer to refund you if the law has been broken.
Step 3: use your bank's dispute mechanism as a backup
If you paid by debit card or credit card, you can dispute the charge directly with your bank under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Payment Services Regulations 2018. Contact your bank's dispute or chargeback team and provide them with your cancellation confirmation email and your refund request to Freelancer. Your bank will investigate and can recover the funds if they determine the charge was unauthorised or made in breach of contract. This process typically takes 4 to 8 weeks.
Common mistakes when cancelling Freelancer
Many consumers believe they have cancelled when they have actually only paused their account or downgraded their plan. The good news is that these mistakes are reversible if you catch them early. Below are the pitfalls to avoid.
Mistake 1: downgrading instead of cancelling
Some users click "Downgrade Plan" instead of "Cancel Membership". Downgrading moves you to a lower tier (e.g., from Gold to Plus), but you remain a paying member. Your subscription continues to renew at the lower cost. Check your Settings page to confirm you have fully cancelled, not just downgraded. If you have downgraded in error, immediately re-enter your Settings and select the cancel option.
Mistake 2: assuming silence means cancellation
If you request cancellation by email but do not receive a confirmation, do not assume you are cancelled. Many cancellation requests are lost in support queues. Follow up within 5 business days. If no response arrives, escalate to the CCPC and inform them that Freelancer is not acknowledging your cancellation request. This is itself a breach of consumer law.
Mistake 3: cancelling your card instead of your subscription
Some users attempt to cancel Freelancer by cancelling the card linked to their account. This does not cancel the subscription. Instead, Freelancer will attempt to charge a new card or may mark your account as delinquent. Only the formal cancellation method (online or via support email) will actually cancel your subscription. Yafee emphasises this point because it is the most common source of unwanted charges after attempted cancellation.
Mistake 4: not keeping proof of cancellation
Always save your cancellation confirmation email and take screenshots of your account settings showing the cancelled status. If a dispute later arises, you need written proof of when you cancelled and when Freelancer acknowledged it. Without this, your bank and the CCPC will struggle to help you.
Mistake 5: missing the 14-day cooling-off deadline
The 14-day cooling-off period is counted from the day you conclude the contract, not from the day the first charge posts to your account. If you signed up on 1 January, your deadline is 14 January, regardless of when the charge appears. Calendar the deadline immediately upon purchase and cancel before it passes. After 14 days, you lose automatic refund rights (though you retain other protections if Freelancer breached its obligations).
Should you cancel Freelancer or keep it
This decision depends on your current use of the platform and your financial situation. Below is a comparison to help you weigh the pros and cons of keeping or cancelling your membership.
| Reason to keep |
Reason to cancel |
| You are actively bidding on projects and winning work regularly |
You have not won a project in the last 3 months despite a paid membership |
| The monthly cost is less than 5% of your projected monthly freelance income |
The monthly cost exceeds 10% of your freelance income |
| You use the enhanced profile visibility to differentiate yourself from free-tier competitors |
You have migrated to Upwork, Toptal, or another platform with a larger client base |
| You enjoy priority support and have used it to resolve disputes |
You have experienced billing errors or unhelpful support responses |
| You have existing client relationships on the platform and need to maintain visibility |
You have completed your main project and have no immediate pipeline |
| An annual plan gives you a significant discount and you plan to use it long-term |
You are testing the platform and do not yet know if it will deliver value |
If you are in doubt, cancel now and re-join later if your circumstances change. Reactivating a cancelled account is simple and incurs no penalty. Keeping a membership you do not need costs money each month.
Traps and hidden charges to watch for
Freelancer has several features that can cost you extra money if you are not careful. Understanding these will help you avoid surprise charges after you have cancelled.
Escrow fees on projects
Freelancer uses an escrow system for project payments. When a client funds a project, Freelancer holds the money in escrow and releases it to you after the work is completed. Freelancer charges a service fee (typically 10% of the project value or a percentage of the milestone). This fee is separate from your membership cost and is deducted automatically when you withdraw funds. Cancelling your membership does not waive these escrow fees. If you have outstanding projects, you will still owe escrow fees when you withdraw the final payment. Factor this into your decision to cancel.
Featured project and add-on costs
Freelancer offers premium add-ons such as "Featured Project" (boosting visibility for a specific job posting) and "Highlighted Bid" (making your bid stand out to clients). These are one-time or short-term charges separate from your membership. If you have purchased these, they will still be charged even after you cancel your membership. Review your project postings before cancelling to see if any active add-ons are running. Deactivate them if you do not need them.
Annual plan lock-in
If you purchased an annual membership plan, you are locked in for 12 months. Cancelling does not refund the unused portion unless you fall within the 14-day cooling-off period or Freelancer has breached its obligations. If you are beyond the 14-day window and cancel mid-year, you lose the remaining balance. Always calculate the cost per month of an annual plan before buying. If cash flow is unpredictable, choose a monthly plan instead, even if the per-month cost is higher.
Currency conversion markups
Freelancer displays prices in US dollars but charges your Irish account in euro. The exchange rate used is often higher than the mid-market rate, which means you pay a hidden markup. Over a year, this can add 2 to 5% to your actual cost. Before renewing, check the latest EUR/USD rate and compare it to the charge shown in your bank statement. If the conversion rate is significantly worse than the market rate, dispute it with your bank and with Freelancer support, citing unfair trading practices under Irish consumer law.
Cancellation checklist before you submit your request
Use this checklist to ensure you are ready to cancel and have taken all necessary precautions.
- Confirm your account email and membership tier - You will need this to verify your cancellation request.
- Note your renewal date - This determines whether you are within the 14-day cooling-off period and affects refund eligibility.
- Check for active projects or outstanding funds - Ensure you have withdrawn any earnings and completed or cancelled any posted projects.
- Download your project history and client feedback - Freelancer does not always guarantee long-term access to your portfolio after cancellation. Save copies locally.
- Review the cancellation terms on your account - Screenshot them in case you later need to dispute a charge or refund claim.
- Verify your preferred refund method - Confirm that the card or PayPal account you used to fund the membership is still active, as this is where the refund will be sent.
- Disable auto-login and notifications - Once cancelled, you may not want Freelancer to encourage you to re-upgrade. Adjust your email preferences.
- Set a calendar reminder for 24 hours after cancellation - Log back in to verify the cancellation status on your account.
- Set a second reminder for the day after your renewal date would have occurred - Check your bank statement to confirm no unauthorised charge appears.
What to do if Freelancer will not honour your cancellation
If you have submitted a cancellation request and Freelancer is ignoring it or refusing to process it, you have legal recourse. Do not accept a "no" without escalation.
Formal complaint to the CCPC
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) enforces consumer rights in Ireland. If Freelancer refuses to cancel your subscription or process a refund you are entitled to, you can lodge a formal complaint with the CCPC. The CCPC can issue enforcement actions, compel refunds, and in serious cases, impose penalties on the company. Visit ccpc.ie to submit a complaint. Provide the CCPC with all email correspondence, your cancellation confirmation (if you have one), and evidence of any unauthorised charges. The CCPC will contact Freelancer on your behalf and request a response within 10 business days.
Payment services dispute through your bank
If Freelancer continues to charge you after you have requested cancellation, your bank can help. Under the Payment Services Regulations 2018, you have the right to dispute an unauthorised transaction. Contact your bank's disputes team and provide them with your cancellation request email, any confirmation email from Freelancer, and evidence of the post-cancellation charges. Your bank will reverse the charges and recover the funds within 4 to 8 weeks, provided you have proof you cancelled.
Small claims court as a last resort
If the CCPC does not resolve your complaint and the amount owed exceeds EUR 15 (typically the cost of a few months' membership), you can take Freelancer to small claims court. In Ireland, you can file a claim for up to EUR 6,000 in the Small Claims Court without needing a lawyer. The cost of filing is approximately EUR 20 to EUR 45. Bring copies of all your evidence: emails, bank statements, cancellation screenshots, and your cooling-off right documentation. The court can order Freelancer to refund you and pay your court costs. Yafee does not provide legal advice, but we recommend you consult a local citizens advice bureau or a solicitor before proceeding to court, as court proceedings require formal procedures.
Frequently encountered issues and solutions
Issue: Freelancer says they never received my cancellation email
If Freelancer claims it did not receive your cancellation request, send it again using the same email address ([email protected]) but use a different email subject line and include a timestamp and reference number from your previous attempt. Request delivery and read receipts from your email provider. If you use Gmail, you can enable read receipts by installing a third-party extension. Send a follow-up email to the same address stating: "This is a re-submission of my cancellation request dated [original date]. Please confirm receipt of this email within 24 hours." If you still receive no response, escalate to the CCPC immediately, providing evidence of both attempted emails.
Issue: my account shows as cancelled, but charges continue
If your account status displays as cancelled or downgraded but your bank statement shows a new charge after the cancellation date, the charge is unauthorised. Dispute it with your bank immediately. In your dispute, state: "I cancelled my Freelancer subscription on [date]. My account status confirms cancellation. The charge dated [charge date] is unauthorised and was made after cancellation." Provide your bank with a screenshot of your cancelled account status and your cancellation confirmation email. Your bank will reverse the charge.
Issue: i cancelled but still have access to premium features
Access to premium features during the remainder of your paid billing cycle is normal and expected. You remain a paid member until your renewal date passes. After that date, your account will automatically downgrade to free membership, and premium features will be locked. If you are concerned that you will be charged again, log into your account settings on the day before your renewal date and verify that your membership status reads "Cancelled" or "Downgraded". If it still shows as "Active", contact support immediately.
How yafee can help you cancel Freelancer
Yafee is a consumer rights platform that helps thousands of people in Ireland and across Europe cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover unfair charges. When you use Yafee to cancel Freelancer, we handle the communication with the company on your behalf, ensuring that all legal requirements are met and that your cancellation is documented and processed correctly. Our service is free to use, and we only succeed if you get the outcome you deserve. Yafee will send your cancellation request using the formal legal framework outlined in this guide, track the company's response, and escalate to the CCPC if Freelancer ignores or refuses your request. We also recover refunds you are entitled to under Irish and EU consumer law. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel Freelancer subscriptions and reclaim their money. Visit yafee.com today to get started.
Where to send your cancellation request
If you choose to cancel Freelancer directly rather than using Yafee, use the following contact addresses and methods.
Online cancellation (recommended)
Log into your Freelancer account, navigate to Settings, select Membership, and click "Cancel Membership". Confirm your cancellation. You will receive an instant confirmation email. This is the fastest and most documented method. Keep the confirmation email.
Email cancellation (if online method unavailable)
Email address: [email protected]
Subject line: Cancellation request - [Your account email] - [Membership tier]
Message template:
Dear Freelancer Support,
I wish to cancel my subscription effective immediately. My account details are:
Account email: [Your email]
Current membership tier: [e.g., Gold, Plus]
Current renewal date: [e.g., 25 January 2025]
I request cancellation as of today's date. Please provide written confirmation of cancellation within 5 business days. If you require any additional information, contact me by email only.
In accordance with the Consumer Rights Act 2015, I am exercising my right to cancel this distance contract.
Kind regards,
[Your full name]
Physical mail (if email fails)
If email support does not respond within 10 business days, you may also send a certified letter requesting cancellation. Freelancer's registered office address should be available on their website under "Contact Us". Yafee recommends sending a registered letter with delivery confirmation so you have proof of posting. Include the same information as your email cancellation request.
Summary and next steps
Cancelling Freelancer is straightforward if you follow the legal framework and the procedural steps outlined in this guide. Your rights are protected by the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. You have a 14-day cooling-off period from the date you sign up, and you retain the right to cancel at any time thereafter. If Freelancer has not clearly disclosed its terms or has failed to honour your cancellation request, you can escalate to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and recover your money through your bank's dispute process. Start by using the online cancellation method in your account settings. If that is unavailable or does not work, email [email protected] with a clear cancellation statement. Keep all confirmation emails. Monitor your bank statement for unauthorised charges after your cancellation date. If a charge appears, dispute it immediately. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel Freelancer and recover refunds they were owed. Visit yafee.com today to let us handle the process for you, or download this guide for reference as you cancel yourself. Your financial freedom is worth protecting.