Free invoices for self‑employed are possible in Spain in 2025 if you pick the right tools. This guide shows autónomos how to issue legal invoices for €0, with IVA and IRPF handled correctly. You will see which free invoicing software is truly free, how to stay Verifactu‑ready, and what to do as the B2B e‑invoice mandate approaches. The goal is simple: a shortlist, clear steps, and a compliance checklist you can use today.
Quick Q&A
Do I need paid software to issue valid invoices? No. You can issue legal invoices for free if the tool supports Spain’s fields and numbering rules.
What taxes appear on a typical freelance invoice? IVA (usually 21%) and, if you sell to another business as a professional, IRPF withholding (15% or 7% if eligible).
Is e‑invoicing already mandatory for B2B? Not mandatory yet. But it will be as soon as the implementing Royal Decree is approved, with a staged B2B rollout by company size. Prepare now with tools that export Facturae or UBL and connect to FACe/FACeB2B.
Free invoices for self‑employed: The quick win
You can issue legal invoices for €0 per month using a truly free tool. Free plans often limit clients, add a branded footer, or reduce templates and automations. That is fine for low volume.
Your invoice must include Spain‑specific fields. Number and series, issue date, supplier and client NIF (or VAT ID), item description, IVA rate (21% or 10% or 4%), taxable base, IRPF withholding if you are a professional billing a business (15% general or 7% for new professionals in the year of start plus the next two years), totals, and payment terms. Use consecutive numbering by series and keep records for 4 years.
Compliance checklist (print this):
- Spain tax fields by default (IVA and IRPF when applies).
- Consecutive numbering by series.
- Read‑only audit trail and export options.
- Records kept 4 years.
- Verifactu‑ready roadmap.
Tip: avoid Word or Excel‑only workflows. They lack audit trail and create errors.
Best free invoicing software (Spain): Shortlist and when each fits
Here are the best truly free or meaningful free options for autónomos in Spain in 2025. Each supports core billing for freelancers. Check Spanish taxes, Verifactu plans, and structured export before you commit.
renn (Free invoicing + Bookkeeping automation)
What you get: Free invoices for self‑employed with Spain‑ready templates (IVA and IRPF), quotes to invoice flow, client portal, and payment links. Works on web and mobile.
Spain fit: Spanish fields by default, consecutive numbering and series, and a Verifactu‑ready roadmap with structured export. Good if you want invoicing now with an upgrade path to books and taxes.
Downsides: Full accounting features and advanced automations sit in paid plans. See pricing here.
Zoho Invoice (Free forever)
What you get: Core invoicing, quotes, recurring invoices, client portal, and payment links. Spanish templates work via locale and custom fields. Web and mobile apps are solid.
Spain fit: Handles IVA lines and notes; add IRPF as an extra line or item when needed. Check connectors for Verifactu and Facturae or export to CSV for filings.
Downsides: Not full accounting. You will need another tool for books and tax forms.
Invoice Ninja (Free plan)
What you get: Unlimited invoices to up to 5 clients on the free plan. Quotes, time tracking, and online payments. Optional self‑hosting if you prefer control.
Spain fit: Add IVA and IRPF lines manually and use Spanish templates. Verify plugins or integrations for Facturae or UBL if you need B2B e‑invoice later.
Downsides: Client cap and a small “created by” footer on free.
SumUp Invoices / SumUp Facturas (Free)
What you get: Create and send invoices for free. No monthly fee. Pay only when clients use card or payment links. Good phone app for on‑the‑go billing.
Spain fit: Simple IVA handling and quotes. Check Verifactu support and any Facturae or FACeB2B connector before relying on it for public sector or B2B.
Downsides: Limited customisation and no full accounting. Card payments have processing fees.
Facturae (Desktop app, official)
What you get: The official desktop tool to generate Facturae XML for public sector (B2G) and send through FACe. Useful when you must invoice an administration.
Spain fit: Perfect for B2G workflows. Not a modern cloud suite and not designed for everyday retail invoices.
Downsides: Dated interface and desktop‑only. Keep backups.
FacturaScripts (Open source)
What you get: Self‑host or use a low‑cost cloud. Invoices plus basic accounting and a plugin ecosystem.
Spain fit: Strong community. Check the roadmap or modules for Verifactu compliance and any structured e‑invoice export.
Downsides: Needs setup and maintenance. Not ideal if you want zero admin.
Contasimple (Free tier)
What you get: A free‑forever plan with essential billing features. Paid plans add bank feeds and tax modules.
Spain fit: Spanish taxes out of the box and a public “Verifactu ready” posture. Useful if you want a simple start with a clear upgrade path.
Downsides: Advanced automation and filings sit behind paid plans.
Looking for free invoice tools in Spain? See our best app for free invoicing comparison.
Best billing programs (paid) for freelancers who outgrow free
Upgrade when you need accounting, bank feeds, payroll, or end‑to‑end quote to cash. Look for Verifactu connectors, Facturae or UBL export, multi‑user access, and inventory.
renn (paid plans): Invoicing stays free. Paid tiers add bookkeeping automation, bank feeds, and Spain tax workflows like Modelo 130 and 303 drafts. Check the Verifactu connector timeline and Facturae/UBL export if you need B2B e‑invoicing. A good fit if you want to grow from invoices to full books without switching tools.
Holded: ERP‑lite for SMEs. Invoicing, accounting, bank reconciliation, and projects. Check Verifactu module status and B2B e‑invoice roadmap. Good once you want everything in one place.
Quipu: Focused on invoicing, treasury, and Spain compliance. Strong push on Verifactu operations. Consider it if you want forecasting plus daily cash control.
Factura Directa: Invoicing and taxes for Spain with upgrades for bank feeds and accounting. Clear pricing. Good for small agencies that want simple tax workflows.
contasimple (paid plans): Add bank sync, filings, and more reports when you outgrow the free tier. Nice step up for freelancers who start free.
Connectivity tools: For e‑invoicing connections, B2BRouter or Edicom can bridge to FACeB2B or PEPPOL if your customers ask for it.
Simple invoice billing program: What “simple” must include in Spain
Even a “simple billing program” for self‑employed users should include:
- Spain tax fields by default. IVA 21% or 10% or 4%. IRPF 15% or 7% for new professionals.
- Numbering by series. Quotes and proformas that convert to invoices. Delivery notes when needed.
- NIF validation, Spanish language docs, EUR as default, and dual currency when required.
- PDF and structured export options like Facturae or UBL. Ability to add Verifactu legends or codes.
- Payment links and reminders. Partial payments and deposits.
- Basic reports and exports for Modelo 130 and 303 workflows.
- Audit trail and data retention aligned with Spain rules.
Free quotes and invoices: A workflow that saves time
Create a presupuesto (quote) with a clear scope, price, VAT, and validity period. Add exclusions and a delivery time. Include an acceptance line for a signature and date.
Once accepted, convert the quote to a proforma and then to an invoice. Attach a delivery note if you ship goods. Use reminders and a payment link to reduce late payments.
Billing and accounting program: When invoicing is not enough
If you file taxes yourself, you want invoice data to flow into accounting. That means ledgers, bank reconciliation, expense OCR, and fixed‑asset tables.
Look for Modelo 130 and 303 drafts, IRPF summaries, CSV export, PSD2 bank feeds, and SII if it applies. Many free tools do not post to accounting. Check the upgrade path and test your data export before switching.
For broad accounting choices, bookmark our online accounting program article.
Compliance in 2025-2026: Verifactu, SIF, and public e‑invoice
There are two tracks to track.
Verifactu and SIF (RD 1007/2023)This is the anti‑fraud billing system rule. Software vendors had to comply from July 2025. IS taxpayers must use compliant billing from 1 January 2026. The rest, including most autónomos, from 1 July 2026. Pick software that is SIF or Verifactu‑ready and can send records if you opt in.
B2B e‑invoicing (Ley 18/2022, “Crea y Crece”)Structured e‑invoices in B2B will start once the regulation is approved. It will be staged by size, with larger firms first. Prepare now. Choose tools with Facturae or UBL export and connectivity to FACe and FACeB2B. Hacienda plans a public e‑invoice solution, but it will be basic.
Authoritative reading: AEAT explains SIF and Verifactu here. Use it as your reference point.
How to make a free, compliant invoice (step‑by‑step)
- Create your series, for example “2025‑A”, and set the next number.
- Add your fiscal details and the client NIF.
- Choose an issue date and due date. Common terms are 15 or 30 days.
- Add item lines with quantity and unit price.
- Select the correct IVA rate for each line.
- Add IRPF withholding if you are a professional billing a business.
- Check totals. Base, IVA, IRPF, and the grand total.
- Add the payment method and IBAN or a payment link.
- Add notes like RECC if you use cash‑basis VAT. Add the Verifactu legend if relevant.
- Send the PDF and, if needed, the structured file. Archive for 4 years and schedule reminders.
Simple billing programs: Known limits of “free” tiers
Expect caps. Client count limits, per‑month document caps, branded footers, and fewer templates are common.
Watch the hidden costs. Card processing fees apply to online payments. Some tools charge an extra fee per paid invoice.
Mind your exit. Ensure you can export CSV or XML and migrate later. Self‑hosted options help if you need long‑term control.
FAQs
Can I invoice without IVA? Yes, but only if the operation is VAT‑exempt or you are not VAT‑registered. That is rare for autónomos.
When do I apply IRPF on invoices? When you are a professional billing another business or professional. Not for B2C.
Can I invoice in English? Yes. Include the Spanish legal fields and the client VAT ID.
How do I invoice the public sector? Generate a Facturae XML and submit via FACe. Register as a supplier first.
What if a client refuses e‑invoices? For now, follow the contract. Once the B2B rule starts, send the structured file as required.
Bottom line
Free invoices for self‑employed are viable in Spain in 2025. Choose a tool that handles IVA and IRPF out of the box, exports Facturae or UBL, is Verifactu‑ready, and lets you migrate later. Start free, keep clean records, and upgrade only when you need accounting and official connectors.
