In Spain’s ever-evolving administrative landscape, few initiatives combine digital transformation and regulatory rigour as effectively as Verifactu. Scheduled to come into force in 2026, this system represents a decisive step towards transparency — and a fundamental shift in how businesses and the self-employed issue invoices and report to the tax authorities.
Verifactu: What It Is and Why It Matters
Verifactu is a new framework developed by Spain’s Tax Office (AEAT) to eliminate the possibility of post-issuance manipulation of accounting records. Under this regime, all invoicing data must be transmitted automatically and in real time at the moment the invoice is issued, using certified software connected directly to the AEAT.
It is important not to confuse Verifactu with e-invoicing. While electronic invoices simply replace paper with a digital format, Verifactu establishes a live connection between the issuer’s accounting system and the tax authority, ensuring authenticity, traceability, and full auditability.
Key Dates: When It Comes into Effect
To ensure a smooth transition, implementation will take place in two stages:
- From 1 January 2026, Verifactu will become mandatory for companies subject to Corporate Income Tax, except those with annual turnover exceeding six million euros.
- From 1 July 2026, the obligation will extend to self-employed professionals and smaller entities.
This phased approach gives businesses a narrow window to adapt their invoicing systems, update software, and avoid potential penalties for non-compliance.
Core Features of Verifactu
The system introduces several new operational requirements designed to reinforce trust and transparency:
- Each invoice will include a unique identifier or QR code to guarantee authenticity and traceability.
- All documents must include a mandatory legend certifying that they are generated through Verifactu-compliant software.
- Invoicing records must be retained for at least four years.
- Data will be transmitted and stored in real time, allowing continuous monitoring by the Tax Office.
These features collectively ensure that every issued invoice can be verified, traced, and cross-checked against declared income at any time.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Compliance will not be optional. Article 201.4 bis of Spain’s General Tax Law (Law 58/2003) establishes severe penalties for both software developers and users who fail to comply:
- Software developers may face fines of up to 150,000€ per financial year for providing non-compliant applications.
- Businesses or self-employed professionals using unauthorised systems may be fined up to 50,000€ per financial year.
These sanctions highlight the importance of early adaptation, and the high cost of ignoring the regulation.
Preparing for the Transition
To stay ahead of the deadline, businesses should:
- Confirm that their invoicing software is certified or in the process of certification by the AEAT.
- Liaise with their software provider to ensure timely updates.
- Verify that all invoices generated after the effective date will include the required digital signature, codes, and legal text.
Early preparation will not only prevent penalties but will also streamline future compliance processes, reducing the administrative burden once Verifactu becomes fully operational.
Verifactu is not merely another bureaucratic requirement, it marks a structural evolution in fiscal transparency and digital governance. By 2026, compliance will no longer be optional but a must for doing business in Spain’s digital economy. The time to act is now, because in the new era of real-time taxation, preparation is the most valuable investment of all.
