Overseas referral fees: questions for UK and EU agents

Start with your actual role

An introduction, buyer advice and transaction negotiation can involve different responsibilities. Describe what you intend to do, where your business operates and who contracts with whom. A general article cannot determine the legal or tax treatment of that arrangement.

Questions for your adviser

Ask what the client must be told about a referral reward and when. Confirm which records and invoices are required, how the income is reported and whether any tax or registration requirements apply. Recheck when the arrangement changes rather than treating a previous answer as permanent.

Questions for the overseas team

Confirm who the client is attributed to, the agreed calculation basis, the amount or rate and the event that makes payment due. Ask what happens with existing contacts, a different project, cancellation or repeat purchases. A record in the partner account is useful, but attribution follows the applicable agreement.

Keep the buyer’s information clear

Explain the relationship in plain language. Do not promise that the introduction has no effect on the buyer’s costs unless that has been confirmed for the actual offer. Obtain consent before sharing personal information and use an appropriate channel for documents.

The commission checklist helps prepare the commercial discussion. The UK and EU introduction guide covers coordination with the local team. Neither replaces professional advice for your business.