API Verifactu: How to comply with the Anti-Fraud Law in Spain
The Anti-Fraud Law in Spain aims to prevent tax fraud by promoting a more transparent environment for transmitting invoicing data to the Tax Agency. Its implementation requires SMEs and professionals to invoice through software that complies with the technical requirements of the regulation. Do you know how it affects your business and what your implementation options are? We explain it all in this article.
Understanding Verifactu in 4 key points
1. What is Verifactu?
Verifactu is a fiscal control system for electronic invoicing that is part of the Anti-Fraud Law in Spain. This regulation mandates that all management, invoicing, or ERP software with invoicing capabilities use methods that prevent the manipulation and destruction of invoicing records, thus ensuring the traceability and authenticity of issued invoices. In other words, companies must use software that meets the technical requirements of Verifactu systems and electronically submit records to the Tax Agency starting in July 2025, when the regulation is expected to come into effect.
2. Who is required to comply with Verifactu?
All companies and self-employed professionals in Spain with annual revenue below 6 million euros must comply with the Verifactu systems and issue verifiable invoices. This regulation excludes companies with a fiscal base in the Basque Country, where the TicketBAI fiscal system already applies, and companies in Navarra, which will implement its own system in 2026. Verifactu systems will be implemented in the Canary Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla, with some specific considerations.
3. What are the penalties for non-compliance?
The penalties for non-compliance for companies and self-employed professionals can be significant. Invoicing with software that does not meet the Verifactu technical requirements can result in a fine of up to €50,000 per fiscal year. The fines are even higher for software developers who market invoicing software, who may face fines of up to €150,000 per year and client.
This is why fiskaly always recommends that companies and developers partner with a fiscal expert like fiskaly to ensure that their software is 100% compliant with regulations and kept up-to-date with the Tax Agency's requirements. It's not just about implementing the system but maintaining it. If you're interested in learning more about how we work at fiskaly, feel free to contact us.
4. What are the technical requirements for the software?
The implementation of Verifactu requires invoicing systems to be updated or replaced to include specific functionalities, such as:
- Electronically signing invoicing records to ensure their authenticity.
- Generating and sending records to the Tax Agency in real-time or with chained hash.
- Generating a QR code on invoices to facilitate verification.
- Ensuring security and control through secure communication protocols and the immutable preservation of records, as dictated by the regulation.
- Keeping anti-fraud software updated at all times, in line with the latest technical requirements from the Tax Agency.
How to adapt your software to comply with Verifactu?
Adapting your software to ensure compliance with Verifactu may seem challenging, but the first step is to consider the option that best fits your business, keeping in mind the type of invoicing system you use. Here are some options:
Using invoicing software that guarantees Verifactu compliance
If you run a business and do not yet use invoicing software, now is the time to find a reliable partner that guarantees 100% compliance with Verifactu, as well as other national fiscal regulations that may affect your business. Remember that using invoicing software will be required once Verifactu comes into force.
If your business already uses third-party invoicing software, ensure they are aware of the upcoming regulations and that they guarantee your compliance after the law takes effect.
Developing or adapting your own software
If you have the resources and technical staff, you can choose to develop your own invoicing software that complies with Verifactu's technical requirements. If you opt for this route, keep in mind that you will need resources to ensure your software stays updated with the ongoing changes in regulations.
On the other hand, if you already use your own invoicing software, assess your team's ability not only to develop the technical requirements but also to maintain it regularly to avoid penalties. Another option is to implement a fiscal compliance API that simplifies the process, which we explain next.
Integrating a fiscal solution without changing your existing software
If you already have or have developed your own invoicing software, integrating it with a specialized external solution that guarantees Verifactu compliance may be the easiest option. Our Verifactu API can be easily integrated without having to change your entire system, ensuring that your software is always updated and protected against penalties.
Additionally, our Verifactu API not only complies with the Anti-Fraud Law but also with TicketBAI in the Basque Country, the upcoming Navarra fiscal legislation, and the technical requirements of the “Ley Crea y Crece” for mandatory B2B electronic invoicing. One API integration, multiple regulations. Interested? Contact us.
4 considerations when implementing Verifactu
No matter which option you choose to adapt your software, it is important to keep in mind these considerations when implementing Verifactu.
Guidance on fiscal legislation and development
Understanding fiscal legislation can be complex. Working with experts in fiscal compliance and software development can help you understand the regulations and ensure that your system meets all legal requirements. Our blog offers a series of webinars and resources if you'd like to learn more about these regulations and how they affect your business. And if you need personalized information, you can always contact our team.
Integrating a solution that is always up-to-date
One of the biggest challenges when implementing Verifactu is ensuring that the software is always updated with changes in regulations. Choosing a solution that offers automatic updates, like our Verifactu API, is crucial to avoid errors in record transmission and penalties.
The digital transformation of processes and hardware
The new legislation in Spain is pushing for the digitization of processes, aiming for efficiency and error reduction. However, adapting to this new model may imply a challenge for SMEs and self-employed professionals.
Evaluating your management process
Ensure that any solution you choose integrates seamlessly with your management system. This will not only facilitate regulatory compliance but also optimize your operational processes.
SIGN ES: a Verifactu API to comply with Fiscal Regulations
A Verifactu API like SIGN ES is the ideal option to integrate into the software you already use and easily comply with fiscal regulations in Spain, including Verifactu, TicketBAI, and the Crea y Crece Law for electronic invoicing. We explain its benefits and how it can be integrated into your system.
What is SIGN ES?
SIGN ES is an API designed to ensure compliance with Spain's fiscal laws and mandatory electronic invoicing, offering easy integration into any invoicing software.
SIGN ES benefits
- 100% fiscal compliance: ensures that all issued invoices meet the new regulations.
- Always updated with any changes from the Tax Agency: your software will always be up to date with the latest fiscal changes, avoiding the risk of penalties.
- One solution for multiple fiscal regulations: comply with various fiscal regulations through a single integration.
- Simple API integration: easy to integrate with any invoicing software, with open technical documentation and a test environment even before signing a contract.
- Expert team: you will have the support of a team of experts in fiscalization and development.
We know that complying with these requirements can be challenging, especially for companies that need to update their systems to align with new regulations. This is where a Verifactu API becomes an ideal solution, making compliance with the legislation easy. For those looking for a simple and effective implementation, our team can help you understand how to adapt your business to the new regulations.