Electronic Invoicing in Spain: An Imminent Revolution

Introduction to Electronic Invoicing

Electronic invoicing has become a pivotal element for businesses and self-employed individuals in Spain, with mandatory implementation slated before 2025. This innovation, essential in the business realm, represents a legal document generated through computerized means, justifying the exchange of goods or services.

What is an Electronic Invoice?

An electronic invoice is a legal document that represents a modern and digital form of billing. It is characterized by being generated and transmitted using computerized means, thus replacing traditional paper invoices. This document complies with all legal and fiscal obligations and is structured in a way that facilitates its electronic processing.

Evolution and Current Legislation

The history of electronic invoicing dates back to the 1960s, but its widespread adoption in Spain began with the implementation of TicketBAI in the Basque Country, mandating its use in professional transactions. The Crea y Crece Law and TicketBAI are key pieces, establishing technical requirements to ensure the authenticity and integrity of invoice contents.

Regulations and Mandatory Usage

Electronic invoicing is mandatory for all B2B operations in Spain, as per the Law 25/2013 and the Crea y Crece Law. Additionally, its usage continues to rise significantly, with over 300 million electronic invoices issued in 2022.

Technical Features

An electronic invoice must:

• Have an electronic format (such as EDIFACT, XML, PDF),
• Be transmitted telematically,
• Guarantee integrity through a recognized electronic signature.

Benefits of Electronic Invoicing

The advantages include:

• Transparency and control in transactions,
• Reduced processing cycles,
• Cost and resource savings,
• Reduction of human errors,
• Contribution to the digitalization of the economy.

Types of Electronic Invoices

There are two main categories:

• Structured Format: Facilitates automated processing by billing software.
• Unstructured Format: Such as PDFs or scanned invoices, requiring manual data entry.