Spain's Verifactu regulation sets anti-fraud rules for billing systems. It adds a mandatory QR code (the square code you scan with your phone) to invoices and lets you choose two modes: with or without real-time send to AEAT (Spain's Tax Agency). Obligations start in 2026. This guide shows what is actually free and how to be Verifactu free at zero cost, step by step.
Quick Q&A
What is Verifactu in one line? Rules for billing software so every invoice leaves a tamper-evident trail, with a QR and optional real-time send.
What are the two modes? VERI*FACTU sends invoice records to AEAT in real time. NO VERIFACTU keeps signed, chained records locally and still prints the QR.
When does it start? Companies on 1 Jan 2026. Sole traders on 1 Jul 2026.
Is e-invoicing the same thing? No. E-invoicing is the network that carries invoices between businesses. Verifactu covers your billing system and the anti-fraud logs it must keep.
Verifactu free: what’s genuinely free (and what isn’t)
Free verification is truly free. Any recipient can scan the QR on your invoice to check it. AEAT offers a free check page and a mobile app to scan. This part costs nothing for everyone.
Free issuing in VERI*FACTU needs software. AEAT receives your invoice records but does not give you a full free billing tool. In practice, you need compliant software. Choose a free plan from a Verifactu-ready tool, like renn's free tier.
Do not mix it with the public e-invoicing rail. The Crea y Crece public platform may let you send or receive e-invoices at no cost, but that is separate from Verifactu duties. If you issue invoices with software, you need both pieces covered: your billing system must meet Verifactu rules, and your e-invoices must travel on the required network.
Being Verifactu free is realistic with a forever-free plan from a compliant tool or, if you issue invoices fully by hand, by staying outside software scope. You lose automation if you go manual-only.
Verifactu in 2 modes (quick refresher)
VERI*FACTU. Your system sends each invoice record to AEAT when you create it. The invoice can show the word "VERI*FACTU," and the QR lets clients see "Factura encontrada" or "no encontrada." This builds trust with clients and banks.
NO VERI*FACTU. You do not send in real time. You keep signed, chained, unalterable records and print the QR. Scanning shows "Factura no verificable," which is expected. It still helps AEAT's controls.
In both modes the QR is mandatory and, in electronic invoices, you can embed the QR contents instead of placing an image.
Dates and who must comply in 2025-2026
Calendar. Companies that pay Corporate Tax must comply from 1 Jan 2026. Sole traders and the rest from 1 Jul 2026. AEAT services are already available, so vendors adapted in 2025.
Scope. SII filers are excluded for their own invoices. SII is the system where VAT books are reported to AEAT daily. The state rules do not apply in the foral regions for taxpayers under their own regimes (Basque Country and Navarre). If you truly issue all invoices without software, you are outside the billing software rules.
"Free verification": how recipients check invoices at zero cost
What clients see when scanning. In VERIFACTU they will see "Factura encontrada" if AEAT has the record, or "no encontrada" if not. In NO VERIFACTU they will see "Factura no verificable."
How to scan. Use the AEAT app or any phone that reads the QR and opens the check page. For e-invoices, embed the QR contents so the check works even without a printed image.
Practical tip. Many teams place a 30-40 mm QR near the top-left in PDFs. This is common practice, not a legal must.
What parts are mandatory, and why free tools matter
QR on all invoices issued with software. Paper or digital must carry the QR. In e-invoices, you can embed the QR data instead of an image.
Use the "VERI*FACTU" word only when sending. Show this word only if you operate in VERI*FACTU mode. This avoids formal errors.
Your system must protect the trail. Even in NO VERI*FACTU, the software must digitally sign records (a secure stamp), link each record to the next (a simple chain that shows the order), and keep an incident log (a change and error log) so no one can alter invoices in secret. Think of it like a tamper seal on every invoice.
Sanctions exist for non-compliant or double-use tools. "Double-use" means software that can hide sales or change records without leaving a trace. Penalties can be high, so make sure your software is compliant.
Free or near-free paths to Verifactu compliance
Option A - renn free plan. Use renn's free invoicing tier to issue a set number of invoices per month with a Verifactu-ready stack. You get the QR, the records, and a clean path to e-invoicing rails next. Clients can scan and see "encontrada" when you use VERI*FACTU.
Start with the free plan to stay Verifactu free today. Add tax filing when you need it.
Option B - other tools' free trials. Trials end. Before you commit, check that they generate the QR, connect to AEAT, keep audit logs, and export the invoice record XML (a structured text file of the record).
Option C - manual-only. If you truly issue invoices without software, you are outside scope. You also lose automation and controls most businesses need. If you use any software at all, you must comply.
Step-by-step: enable a free compliance setup in renn
1) Create your account and set Spain. Add NIF, fiscal address, and VAT details. Prepare your invoice template with a QR placeholder.
2) Choose your mode.
- VERI*FACTU: connect renn to AEAT services, issue a test invoice, and scan the QR to confirm "Factura encontrada."
- NO VERI*FACTU: make sure signatures, chaining, and incident logs are on. Scan and expect "Factura no verificable."
3) Template hygiene. Add the QR. Show the word "VERI*FACTU" only if you actually send records to AEAT.
4) Micro-checklist.
- Issue an invoice.
- Scan the QR.
- Check the status shown.
- Download the invoice record XML.
- Confirm the next record continues the chain.
Bottom line
If you want Verifactu free, combine AEAT's free QR verification for recipients with a forever-free plan from a compliant billing tool like renn. Do not confuse this with the public e-invoicing platform. Meet the 2026 dates and you are safe on Verifactu compliance.
