Electronic invoicing and Veri*factu
Legal obligations regarding invoicing and software
The electronic invoice is the digital evolution of the paper invoice and has the same legal validity, but it is issued and received in electronic format. This guarantees its authenticity, integrity and readability. In Spain it is regulated by Royal Decree 1619/2012 and, until now, its use has been voluntary in most transactions between companies. However, after the approval of the Crea y Crece Law (Law 18/2022), its implementation becomes mandatory for all transactions between business owners and professionals.
Verifactu is a system promoted by the Spanish Tax Agency under Law 11/2021. This law requires billing programs to automatically send each invoice issued to the tax authority to ensure traceability and prevent manipulation. While the electronic invoice focuses on the format and manner of issuing invoices to comply with the Crea y Crece Law, Verifactu is aimed at real‑time tax validation and control to meet anti‑fraud obligations.
Regulatory context and upcoming changes
01
Create and Grow Law – Electronic invoicing
The Crea y Crece Law (Law 18/2022) makes electronic invoicing mandatory for all transactions between companies and self‑employed workers. Implementation will be progressive: companies with more than €8 million in annual turnover must adapt within one year from publication of the implementing regulation, whereas the remainder will have two years. The Cambridge Spanish–English Dictionary explains that autónomo (used in the law for these professionals) means someone self‑employed.
02
Law 11/2021 – Anti‑fraud measures
Law 11/2021 on Anti‑fraud Measures requires that all billing and accounting software guarantees the integrity, traceability and immutability of records, preventing any manipulation of information. Its objective is to reinforce tax control and prevent the use of dual‑use programs that hide sales or modify data without leaving a trace.
Why is it important to adapt?
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Compliance
Avoid economic penalties. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Savings
Gain efficiency and cost reduction. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Security
You strengthen security against fraud. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Modernisation
You facilitate the digital modernisation of your business. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Timeframes for the change
01
Create and Grow Law – Electronic invoicing
The regulation implementing this obligation is pending publication, probably in 2025. From that publication: companies with more than €8 million in annual turnover will have twelve months to adapt. SMEs and self‑employed workers with turnover below €8 million will have twenty‑four months to comply. WordReference notes that the acronym PYME stands for “pequeña y mediana empresa” (small and medium‑sized enterprise) and translates to SME.
02
Law 11/2021 – Anti‑fraud measures
1 January 2026: companies and other legal persons must use billing software compatible with VeriFactu.
1 July 2026: self‑employed persons and other entities not subject to corporate tax will have the same obligation.
How can I join the change?
Your company has certified business management software
If you already have billing or accounting software, the first step is to check with your provider whether the system meets the technical requirements set out in Law 11/2021 and the Crea y Crece Law. It is essential to ensure that the software guarantees the integrity and traceability of the data and that it is ready to issue electronic invoices in the required format. Early verification will allow you to avoid penalties, optimise processes and be ready before the legal deadlines expire.
Your company does not have business management software
The regulation implementing this obligation is pending publication, probably in 2025. From that publication: companies with more than €8 million in annual turnover will have twelve months to adapt, and SMEs and self‑employed workers with turnover below €8 million will have twenty‑four months to comply.