Verifactu requires invoicing systems to leave a tamper-proof trail on every invoice, with a QR code and optional real-time submission to the AEAT. This guide explains what is actually free, when it becomes mandatory, and how to comply at zero cost.
What is Verifactu in one sentence? A set of rules for invoicing software that guarantees every invoice leaves an unalterable trail, with a QR code and optional real-time submission to the AEAT.
What are the two modes? VERI*FACTU sends each record to the AEAT when you create the invoice. NO VERIFACTU keeps signed, chained records locally and still prints the QR code.
When does it start? Companies subject to Corporate Income Tax: 1 January 2026. Self-employed and others: 1 July 2026.
Is electronic invoicing the same thing? No. E-invoicing is the channel through which invoices travel between businesses. Verifactu regulates your invoicing system and the anti-fraud records you must keep. They are separate obligations.
Verification is free. Any recipient can scan the QR code on your invoice to check it. The AEAT provides a free verification page and a mobile app. This part has no cost for anyone.
Issuing in VERI*FACTU mode requires software. The AEAT receives your records but does not give you a full invoicing tool. In practice, you need compatible software. The most direct solution: renn's free plan, which is already Verifactu-ready.
Do not confuse it with the public e-invoice platform. The Crea y Crece platform allows sending and receiving e-invoices at no cost, but that is separate from Verifactu. If you use software to invoice, you need to cover both: Verifactu in your system and e-invoicing as the transmission channel.
Complying at zero cost is possible with a free plan from a compatible tool. If you issue all your invoices by hand with no software at all, you fall outside the scope of the regulation, but you also lose all automation.
VERI*FACTU. Your system sends each record to the AEAT the moment you create the invoice. The QR shows "Invoice found" when scanned. It builds trust with clients and creates a clean history with the tax authority.
NO VERIFACTU. No real-time submission. You keep signed, chained, and unalterable records and still print the QR code. When scanned it shows "Invoice not verifiable", which is the expected response in this mode.
In both modes the QR code is mandatory. For electronic invoices you can embed the QR content instead of placing an image.
Read the complete Verifactu guide.
Timeline. Companies subject to Corporate Income Tax must comply from 1 January 2026. Self-employed and others from 1 July 2026. The AEAT services were already available in 2025, so software providers have already adapted.
Scope. SII filers are excluded for their own invoices. The foral territories (Basque Country and Navarre) have their own tax systems and the national rules do not apply to their taxpayers. If you issue all your invoices with no software at all, you fall outside the scope of the regulation.
Want to see the full timeline with all dates? Here are the detailed Verifactu deadlines.
What clients see when scanning. In VERI*FACTU they will see "Invoice found" if the AEAT has the record. In NO VERIFACTU they will see "Invoice not verifiable". Both are correct responses depending on which mode you use.
How to scan. Using the AEAT app or any phone that reads QR codes. For e-invoices, embed the QR content so verification works even without a printed image.
Practical tip. Most businesses place the QR code at 30-40 mm near the upper left of the PDF. This is not a legal requirement, just common practice.
QR on every invoice issued with software. Whether paper or digital, the QR code always goes on the invoice. For e-invoices you can embed the QR data instead of an image.
Use "VERI*FACTU" only when you are submitting. Show that label only if you are operating in VERI*FACTU mode. Displaying it in NO VERIFACTU mode is a formal error.
Your system must protect the trail. Even in NO VERIFACTU, the software must digitally sign each record, chain each invoice to the next, and maintain an incident log. This prevents anyone from altering invoices without leaving a trace.
There are penalties for non-compliant or dual-use software. "Dual-use" means software that can hide sales or modify records without leaving a trace. Fines can be very high. Make sure your tool complies with the regulation.
Option A: renn free plan. Issue invoices each month with a plan already Verifactu-ready. You get the QR code, signed records, and the AEAT connection in VERI*FACTU mode. Clients scan and find you.
Option B: free trials from other tools. Trials have expiry dates. Before choosing, check that the tool generates the QR, connects to the AEAT, keeps audit logs, and exports the invoice XML.
Option C: manual only. With no software at all you fall outside the scope of the regulation. But you also lose all automation. If at any point you use any programme to invoice, you must comply.
Start free now. Activate the renn free plan and have Verifactu covered from today. Add tax filing when you need it.
1) Create your account and set up your tax data. Add your NIF, tax address, and VAT details. Prepare your invoice template with space for the QR code.
2) Choose your mode.
3) Compliant templates. Add the QR code to your template. Show the "VERI*FACTU" label only if you are submitting records to the AEAT.
4) Quick checklist.
Verifactu for free is possible: combine the AEAT's free verification with a free plan from a compliant tool like renn. Do not confuse it with the public e-invoice platform, which is a separate obligation. Comply before the 2026 deadlines and you will have peace of mind that you are up to date with the tax authority.
To compare all compliant software options, see the full invoicing platform comparison.
