Your work as a freelancer is a type of self-employment. Knowledge workers—for example, IT professionals—can earn [their living by selling their services](https://n26.com/en-at/blog/how-to-become-a-freelancer) on a contract or project basis. Instead of being hired by a company, freelancers can work under various legal forms. They’re responsible for paying their own taxes, pension contributions, and other personal expenses. In simple terms, being a freelancer is equivalent to running a small company.