Project payments

I landed my first client, finally.

Now I realised I have an issue with payment for the project. Meaning that how can I make sure the client pays, or does not get scared of being scammed.

I need a payment service that facilitates such projects and does not rip us both off with commission. I have a contra account where I can create a project ( and I think ask the client to pay there) but I have not tested this and not sure if this is the best approach.

How do you people handle such cases? I definitely do not want to work for free and at the same time do not want to spook the client by asking for payment when there is nothing delivered yet.

I am also based in Europe, so is my client , if that matters.

Thank you