Regulatory updates - Spain

During a press release, the Spanish government announced a further delay in implementing Veri*factu, the new electronic invoicing system developed by the Tax Agency (AEAT) to enhance fiscal oversight and combat tax fraud. This postponement is intended to give businesses more time to adapt and ensure a smooth transition.

Veri*factu (Verification of Invoices) is a system that requires invoices to be generated through certified software, ensuring integrity, conservation, accessibility, legibility, traceability and unalterability.

More details available here.

The announcement states that the ViDA directive updates the EU VAT system to better suit the digital economy, building on the earlier e-commerce package introduced in July 2021. The e-commerce rules require all Member States to collect VAT on consumer purchases regardless of supplier location and established one-stop-shop regimes for easier VAT management by platforms.

ViDA expands this digital adaptation by

• Strengthening efforts against intra-Community fraud through standardized electronic invoicing;
• Simplifying registration so businesses only need a single VAT ID within the EU; and
• Broadening digital platform responsibilities, now including short-term accommodation and passenger transport services as deemed suppliers where competitive imbalances have been noted.

Key changes will be phased in from January 1, 2027, with major reforms effective July 1, 2028 and July 1, 2030. Technical updates include widening the non-Union scheme to cover more non-EU consumer services, new representative requirements for non-EU businesses seeking VAT refunds, and two transitional regimes related to call-off stock arrangements and energy supplies via networks until the new rules take effect.

Verifactu is Spain's new real-time invoice reporting system mandated by the Agencia Estatal de Administración Tributaria (AEAT) as part of Law 11/2021, which aims to combat tax fraud through enhanced invoice traceability. The system requires invoices to be transmitted to AEAT in real time, with software providers meeting strict technical and legal standards.

Pagero completed the Veri*factu certification process by submitting a formal self-declaration to Spain’s tax authority (AEAT). This confirmed that its invoicing system meets all legal and technical requirements. The declaration is now publicly listed, making Pagero an officially recognized Verifactu service provider.

With this certification, Pagero can help Spanish companies:

• Transmit invoices to AEAT in real time
• Ensure compliance with the Anti-Fraud Law
• Avoid non-compliance penalties
• Benefit from streamlined, secure invoicing processes

The Verifactu regulation follows a phased implementation:

• July 29, 2025: Deadline for software producers and vendors
• January 1, 2026: Corporate taxpayers must adopt compliant systems
• July 1, 2026: All other taxpayers must comply