Spain’s VERIFACTU system will arrive in 2026. Credit: FOTO Eak / Shutterstock
If you’ve worked in Spain long enough to remember the smells of your local guest office, you know that tax updates tend to arrive with a summer whirlwind of drama. It’s sudden, a bit confusing, and impossible to ignore. Coming in 2026, VERIFACTU is one of those changes, wrapped in a surprisingly neat digital package.
What is Belifachu actually?
VERIFACTU is Spain’s new invoicing system. It is a system designed and operated by AEAT (Spanish Tax Agency) to bring order, clarity and a bit of peace to the invoicing routines of freelancers, small businesses and, importantly, the many expatriates who issue invoices from all corners of the country. It sets the rules for how invoices are created, recorded and stored, and come 2026 it will be part of your daily routine, whether you like it or not.
Think of this as Spain’s attempt to “fix it now” instead of “mañana” invoicing.
Advantages of Verifactu
- Create a clear and structured way to generate invoices using approved software.
- AEAT’s free tool registers the moment you create an invoice with a QR code for transparency.
- It’s browser-based and requires no installation, making it ideal for expatriates who prefer a simple workflow.
- Help new arrivals follow a clear invoicing process even without technical knowledge.
- An organized platform with dedicated sections for invoices, drafts, customers and saved data.
- A 3-step invoice process (Details → Preview → Sign/Send) keeps everything organized.
- Save time with useful features like client storage, product lists, invoice series, and drafts.
Disadvantages of VERIFACTU
- There are no simplified bills. Complete customer details are always required.
- Certain errors (403 issues or missing recipients) can break the flow, even if it’s designed to be helpful.
- To remain compliant, personal data and invoice numbering must be maintained consistently.
- For those accustomed to informal or ad-hoc invoicing, there is a learning curve.
A quick overview of how it works
AEAT tools follow a stable and predictable path. start with my dataso that the details are displayed automatically every time. From there, Issuing an invoice You can guide the recipient’s details (yes, all the details every time), preview everything to see everything, sign and send. Once submitted, AEAT receives the record and receives a confirmation message. This is a tidy endpoint in a world where confirmations are rare.
Additional facts you should know
Before the rulebook is completely retired in 2026, some additional information can help complete the picture.
- VERIFACTU applies to freelancers, small business owners and professionals throughout Spain.
- Access requires Clave, an electronic ID, or a recognized certificate.
- You can act on your own behalf or on behalf of someone who has given you permission.
- All invoices must include correct series and numbering, a clear description, tax details, payment information, and dates of service if applicable.
- Two habits that will make your life easier: Stick to them. my data Updated to maintain correct invoice order.
- Error messages are usually meant to guide you, not punish you.
A clearer path opens
VERIFACTU may feel like another chapter in Spain’s long-running story of forms, passwords and digital certificates, but the truth is kinder. Once you get used to it, the system provides a sense of order that even the most well-meaning guests would struggle to achieve on a Monday morning.
For expats, especially those who work on projects on the terrace while drinking coffee, this structure offers a sense of quiet security. If you tick the right boxes and follow the steps, AEAT will securely record everything.
Figure it out now, before 2026 arrives. That way, you can smoothly navigate the transition with the kind of calm that typically takes two years and some bureaucratic battle scars to achieve.
