This is the second episode in my SME Series that I do together with Alicja Grzegorzek Carrascosa - an expert in legal and financial management of EU projects — to explore the tricky subject of freelancers and their eligibility under Horizon Europe. She unpacks what it really means to classify someone as a freelancer under personal costs, clarifying that the European Commission uses the term "natural persons" rather than "freelancers." Alicia highlights key eligibility rules including supervision requirements, IP rights, teleworking policies, remuneration structures, and the critical need for accurate time recording.

In the episode we dig into practical examples and explains how national employment laws may clash with Horizon Europe’s rules—especially in countries like Spain, where false self-employment is heavily scrutinized. Alicia provides hands-on advice for SMEs and freelancers alike, stressing the importance of contract clauses, clear remuneration terms, and the value of working with experts. The discussion is not only about compliance but about minimizing audit risks and making strategic decisions for smooth project implementation.

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