When you register with Comply, your account is automatically connected to the Verifactu Test Environment. This mode is designed to support initial setup and ensure a secure environment while you prepare to meet the legal compliance requirements set by the Spanish Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria).
This article outlines the key differences between the test and production environments, and guides you through the steps required to switch once you are ready.
Test Environment (Default Mode)
By default, all merchants begin using Comply within the Verifactu Test Mode. This sandbox environment is provided by the Spanish Tax Agency and serves exclusively for technical verification and compliance testing. It does not generate any legal or tax obligations.
Key Features of the Test Environment:
Enabled by default upon Comply account creation.
Issued invoices have no legal or fiscal validity.
No tax liabilities are created.
Full validation of Comply’s integration with your Shopify setup is possible without risk.
No digital certificate is required to operate in this mode.
This environment is ideal for merchants to familiarize themselves with the system, run real scenarios using actual order data, and confirm proper configuration prior to enabling the mandatory environment.
What Happens When You Activate the Production Environment?
Activating the Verifactu Production Mode in your Comply configuration initiates real-time reporting to the Agencia Tributaria. From the moment of activation:
Invoices are automatically transmitted to the Spanish Tax Agency and are legally binding.
All fiscal records become formally linked to your economic activity.
Invoices must include the QR code and mandatory legal text as defined by Verifactu specifications.
This marks the official start of your legal compliance obligations under current Spanish legislation.
A valid digital certificate is required for activation and continued operation.
⚠️ Important: This action is irreversible. Once the production environment is activated, you cannot revert to test mode.
When Is Production Mode Mandatory?
While you may activate production mode at any time, compliance becomes mandatory as of the following dates:
Corporate Entities (Legal Persons): January 1, 2026
Sole Proprietors and Freelancers (Individuals): July 1, 2026
At Comply, we strongly recommend that you activate production mode in advance to ensure a seamless transition and avoid technical or regulatory disruptions.
Recommended Steps Before Activating
Before proceeding with the transition to production mode, confirm the following:
All necessary end-to-end tests have been completed successfully.
Your configuration within Comply and your Shopify POS and Shopify Admin environments is accurate.
Your accounting team or tax advisor is informed of the change and prepared to handle fiscal obligations.
You possess a valid digital certificate (FNMT or similar, issued in Spain).
How to Activate the Production Environment
To initiate production mode within Comply, follow these steps:
Navigate to Settings within your Comply dashboard.
Confirm that you are currently operating in Test Mode.
Click on “Activate Production Environment”.
Carefully review the legal notice indicating that this change is permanent.
Confirm activation.
Upon activation, all order-related invoices generated via Shopify POS terminals, Shopify Admin, or any Shopify Plus custom integrations will be automatically reported to the Spanish Tax Agency in real time, in full compliance with the Verifactu regulatory framework.