Guide

How to invoice as an autónomo in Spain

If you are registered as an autónomo in Spain, invoicing is part of normal business life. But if you are not Spanish, the wording can feel confusing very quickly. This guide walks you through the basics.

What an autónomo invoice is

An autónomo invoice (factura) is a formal document that records what you sold, who you sold it to, how much it cost, and what tax applies. It is not just a payment request — it is a business record that your gestor needs and that AEAT may ask about.

What information you normally need

Your name and NIF number
Your business address
Your client's name and NIF/CIF (if they are a Spanish business)
Your client's address
A unique invoice number in a clear sequence
The invoice date
A description of the work or service
The base price (before tax)
The IVA rate and amount
The IRPF rate and amount (if applicable)
The total amount payable

IVA explained simply

IVA is Spain's VAT — a sales tax you collect from clients and pass to AEAT. The standard rate is 21% for most services. You add it on top of your base price. So if you charge €500 for a service, you add €105 IVA, giving a total of €605 on the invoice.

Not sure which rate applies? Use 21% as the default and check with your gestor for specific services.

IRPF explained simply

IRPF withholding is deducted from certain professional invoices when your client is a Spanish company or registered autónomo. Your client deducts a percentage from your payment and pays it to AEAT on your behalf — it is prepaid income tax, not a discount.

Common rates are 15% for most autónomos and 7% in some cases during the first three years of activity. If you are unsure whether IRPF applies, ask your client and your gestor before issuing the invoice.

Invoice numbering

Your invoices must run in a clear, unbroken sequence. A common format is FAC-2027-001, FAC-2027-002, and so on. You cannot reuse numbers, skip numbers without reason, or restart mid-year without a proper reason. BillBee manages this automatically.

When to send the invoice

Generally, you should issue the invoice at the time of the transaction or shortly after. For ongoing services, invoices are often issued at the end of the month. Your gestor can advise on your specific situation.

What to give your gestor

Your gestor will typically need a record of all your issued invoices and paid expenses each quarter to prepare your IVA return (Modelo 303) and track your income. BillBee creates a clean export pack for exactly this purpose.

Common questions

Do I need to charge IVA on every invoice?

Most professional services charge 21% IVA. Some services are exempt — confirm with your gestor if you think your services might be exempt before invoicing at 0%.

What if I invoice a foreign client?

The tax treatment changes depending on where your client is based and whether they are a business. Speak to your gestor before invoicing outside Spain for the first time.

Can I invoice in English?

Yes. Spanish law does not require invoices to be in Spanish. BillBee creates bilingual invoices — English and Spanish — which works well for international clients.

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