A Quick Guide to Understanding Spain’s New Electronic Invoicing System
If you have a company, you are self-employed, or simply have a foot in the digital world, you have surely heard the buzz: "Hey, what is this Verifactu thing?"
Relax, take a deep breath. You are not the only one who is more lost than a sock in the dryer.
Veri*factu is basically the Government's new obligation to ensure that the invoices you issue are registered, certified, and without the possibility of "accounting magic." Everything transparent, everything legal, zero tricks. So far, so good. The idea makes sense.
The problem: it has been done quickly, there are a thousand doubts, and among companies, consultancies, and developers, we are all asking at the same time:
“Okay… but how is this supposed to work exactly?”
Who has to use Veri*factu?
In theory, companies and self-employed individuals.
In practice... it depends on how you invoice today.
If you are working with professional programs that already generate PDF invoices and have internal control (ERP, CRM, invoicing software, POS...), the transition will probably be relatively smooth.
But if you were one of the romantics who made invoices in Word, Excel, or a recycled PDF from 2018... this is where the trouble begins. Because no, it is not mandatory to switch to paid software, but you will need to use a system that complies with the Veri*factu requirements. And that means:
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numbering control,
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traceability,
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digital signature,
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and automatic submission to the Tax Agency when due.
In short, Excel is complicated unless you "supercharge" it.
How much will it cost?
This is the million-dollar question.
For now, the most likely scenario is that many users will end up using modules, plugins, or third-party systems (yes, paid), as it is the fast and reliable way to comply with the law without headaches.
In Prestashop, for example, solutions are already moving, but almost all involve subscriptions or SaaS. Will there be simpler, non-monthly modules? Probably. But they are not fully established yet.
My advice: wait a little.
It won't be long before more mature alternatives appear, without fees, or made by the community.
What if I have a website or an ecommerce?
Here I enter Frucomedia mode: if you sell online and generate invoices, you will definitely have to adapt.
But don't worry:
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it's an installable component,
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it won't break your website,
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you don't have to rebuild your store,
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and it won't be a drama if done on time.
The important thing is to be clear about how you want to invoice, whether you need a separate CRM or if a module is enough. And above all: don't overpay "just because."
So… what should I do?
Express summary:
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Don't panic
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Get informed, but don't go crazy.
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Don't buy anything yet if you don't need it NOW.
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If you have a website or online store, ask for advice (hello ??).
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And above all, wait a bit: the entire sector is still adapting.
This will end up being simpler than it seems now. The noise is temporary. The confusion, too.
And if you need me to look at your case, your website, or your invoices, you know where to find me.
Contact me