Newsletter 207 BNFIX PICH
People, principles, services
November 2025
Dear all,
The November newsletter begins with a topic we consider essential, as it will affect a large percentage of companies and self-employed professionals in the country: we are referring to Verifactu, the new mandatory invoicing system that will come into force for businesses on 1 January 2026. For this reason, we are carrying out comprehensive monitoring and providing case-by-case advice; in addition, a series of talks has been arranged, which we are offering to many of the employers’ associations we advise.
We also invite you to watch a video explaining why it is worthwhile, both organisationally and fiscally, to plan the succession in family businesses in an orderly manner, as well as a video interview with the president of the Barcelona Urban Property Chamber, Joan Ràfols, who reviews the main issues affecting housing. Likewise, we report on developments regarding large landlords and sustainability regulations, remind you of the deadline for filing Form 232 and of the need to request an extension of the flat rate for self-employed workers, and we address the possibility of appealing the new waste-management fee. We round off the newsletter with the usual agenda and publications sections.
As always, we trust that all these topics will be of interest to you.
Toni Puig · a.puig@pich.bnfix.com
Partner, head of audit BNFIX PICH TAX LEGAL AUDIT
Highlights
▶ Video
Succession in Family Businesses: Planning to Ensure Continuity
Carolina Mateo, María José Moragas, and Ángel Oró discuss in this video the importance of properly planning the succession in small and medium-sized family businesses—both from an organisational and a tax perspective. These businesses make up the bulk of our business fabric, and planning ahead helps anticipate possible contingencies, ensure continuity, and avoid future disputes.
▶ Video / Conversations with Experts
Joan Ràfols, President of the Urban Property Chamber: “We Are Creating Obstacles That Restrict Housing Supply”
The president of the Urban Property Chamber of Barcelona, Joan Ràfols, speaks in this interview with our partner Valentí Pich about the issues affecting housing — ranging from land shortages and the 30% requirement to regulatory excess, rent control, and the “penalisation of investors and property owners,” among others.
/ We Support Our Clients in the Transition to Verifactu
With the aim of preparing companies, self-employed professionals, and professional organisations for the significant changes brought by the new Verifactu invoicing system — which will become mandatory for businesses starting 1 January — several members of our Tax and Legal departments are delivering informative sessions in Madrid, Barcelona, and also online.
Led by Andrea Oró, who is responsible for these sessions, we are addressing questions and providing practical guidance. This training effort seeks to support our clients as they adapt to a regulation that, as highlighted in our explanatory presentation, represents not only an obligation but also a real opportunity to advance in the digitalisation and optimisation of internal processes.
/ The Primary Residence Excluded from the Calculation for Being Considered a Large Housing Holder in Catalonia
The Government of Catalonia has revised the definition of “large housing holder,” expressly excluding the primary residence from the property count required to fall under this category. In addition, the tax and administrative conditions applicable to large property owners in Catalonia have been unified.
/ Self-Employed Workers Who Wish to Extend the Flat Rate Must Request It in Advance
Self-employed workers who are in their first year of the flat rate and wish to benefit from it for a second year must, in addition to meeting certain requirements, expressly apply for the extension before the end of the first year. Otherwise, they will lose the right to maintain the reduction.
/ New Waste Collection Fees: A Hidden (and Challengeable) Tax
The recent revision and update of municipal waste collection and treatment fees has raised questions about their legality. For this reason, we explain why, in certain circumstances, there is a legal basis for challenging the waste collection fee, focusing on the fact that, in some cases, it may be considered a hidden tax.
/ 30 November: Last Day to File Form 232 for Related-Party Transactions
30 November is the deadline for filing Form 232 for related-party transactions corresponding to the 2024 financial year.
In the attached circular, we explain, among other things, what qualifies as a related-party transaction and who is required to file the form. We also remind readers of the importance of completing it correctly, as this type of transaction is under close scrutiny by the Tax Agency.
▶ Video
Sustainability Reporting Directive: What’s New
The Spanish National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) and the Institute of Accounting and Auditing (ICAC) have issued a joint statement updating the recommendations on the application in Spain of the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) and its associated standards. These updates come in the context of delays in its transposition into national law.
DFK International news
/ We Host the DFK International Executive Committee Meeting
Our Barcelona offices hosted the meeting of the DFK International Executive Committee on 12 and 13 November, as members of BNFIX. Our partner and head of the Legal Area, María José Moragas, is part of this committee. It was a highly productive gathering, with strategic planning discussions and a twofold focus: actions to strengthen support and synergies among all firms in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa), and the preparation of the DFK EMEA Conference 2026, which will take place in February in the city of Florence.
The sessions concluded with a visit to the magnificent Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, an ideal occasion to strengthen ties among DFK International members, joined by other BNFIX colleagues who also attended: Carolina Mateo and Alba Pich.
Participants in the Barcelona sessions included Francesco Nicolini, Elias Demetriou, Gerd Hegmann, Jonathan Brownson, Liz Matimu, María José Moragas, Milos Mitric, Paul Grosjean, and Zoe Marsden (some of them pictured). On behalf of everyone at BNFIX, thank you for your time and for visiting us. It is always an honour to open our home to the great family that is DFK International.
Agenda and Collaborations
/ Verifactu Information Sessions (AO)
Several professionals from BNFIX PICH’s Tax and Legal departments have participated — and will continue to do so in the coming weeks (in Madrid, Barcelona, and online) — in informative sessions for members of the employers’ associations we advise, with the aim of explaining and addressing questions about the new Verifactu invoicing system, which will come into force for companies on the first of January.
The Barcelona Construction Guild, the Provincial Association of Service Stations of Barcelona, the Council of Industrial Technical Engineers, and the High Council of Architects of Spain (CSCAE) are some of the organisations that have already hosted, or will soon host, these sessions on a regulation that will affect a large number of self-employed workers and companies from next year.
ℹ️ More information about the new invoicing system, HERE
/ We Discuss Workplace Absenteeism at the Construction Guild
Following the success of the session “How to Reduce Workplace Absenteeism?”, organised last July by the Barcelona Construction Guild and Mutua Umivale Activa in an in-person format, a second session was held online on 30 October, with the participation of Jordi Altafaja, partner and head of the Labour Area. Once again, temporary incapacity was one of the topics that most interested attendees. Eduard Llopis and Pilar Anglada from Umivale also took part in the session.
/ 15 Years of the Mediterranean Diet as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Our partner and president of the Economy Commission of Foment del Treball, Valentí Pich, took part on 17 November in the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the declaration of the Mediterranean Diet as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
He participated in an event organised by the Mediterranean Diet Foundation, specifically in a roundtable alongside key figures such as José Luis Bonet, president of the Spanish Chambers of Commerce.
In addition to its many health and cultural benefits, the Mediterranean Diet is supported by a solid network of companies of varying sizes and characteristics, deeply rooted in the territory, generating social benefits, driving sustainability, and demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of change and crisis.
ℹ️ More information, HERE
/ Valentí Pich at the IFAC Annual Meeting
Our partner Valentí Pich participated on 11 and 12 November, as president of CILEA (Latin Europe–America Integration Committee), in the annual meeting of IFAC (International Federation of Accountants), held in Mexico City.
The event addressed key topics such as the role of corporate accountants, their strategic relevance, and collaboration with external accountants and auditors to strengthen transparency and trust in the markets.
(In the image, alongside Jean Bouquot, president of IFAC, the global organisation representing the accountancy profession.)
ℹ️ More information, HERE
Press & Publications
/ “The Impact of Tariff Increases on the Spanish Economy. Trade Barriers Index 2025.”
Institute of Economic Studies and Tholos Foundation. October 2025
The latest study from the Institute of Economic Studies indicates that the impact of the new tariffs on Spain is moderate, amounting to between one and two tenths of GDP in 2025, and up to four tenths of GDP in 2026.
In this context, Spain faces an increase in protectionism affecting its exports to the rest of the world, rising by around 10% in 2025 compared with 2019. Tariffs themselves — the most significant burden borne by Spanish companies — have risen by more than 13%, while non-tariff barriers for Spanish businesses have increased by 45% over the same period.
Read the full report (in Spanish), HERE
