Vending Machine Business Struggles Under Verifactu Regulation

Vending Machines: Verifactu and Vandalism Squeeze Profitability

On January 1, 2026, limited companies operating vending machines will have to adapt their equipment to Verifactu. This regulation, which mandates the issuance of electronic tickets and real-time reporting of every sale, has turned upside down a business already grappling with vandalism and tight margins. The question many entrepreneurs are asking is whether it still makes sense to rent or buy a machine.

Verifactu, the Final Blow

The Verifactu is not a distant threat. According to the regulation, it comes into effect for limited companies on January 1, 2026, and for self-employed individuals and professionals on July 1, 2026. This means that vending machines must have internet connectivity, issue a QR code ticket, and report every sale in real time. For many operators, this means completely overhauling the machines or decommissioning them altogether. The sector has already seen a movement of dismantling premises and selling machines, as the margin is insufficient to cover these costs.

Vandalism and Location: The Deciding Factor

Location is the critical factor. One real case: an entrepreneur placed a machine in her city, and vandals trashed it. She repaired it, put it back up, and a week later, it was vandalized again. In Spain, leaving a valuable machine in the street is a risk. An analysis of the situation in Avilés, Asturias, is sobering: out of 10 premises with vending machines downtown, 6 have machines trashed and abandoned, 2 are operational but with minimal sales, and the rest in a similar situation. The conclusion is that vandalism and poor location guarantee ruin.

Spanish Manufacturers and the DIY Alternative

Curiously, the main European manufacturers of vending machines are Spanish, specifically from Navarra: Azkoyen, Jofemar, and GM Vending. However, some propose a more radical alternative: setting up a homemade vending machine using a Raspberry Pi, a QR code, and chutes, without expensive glass and metal machines. The idea is to reduce costs and adapt to the mobile era. However, the risk of vandalism remains, and lack of surveillance can turn any installation into a target.

How Much Must Be Sold to Break Even?

Profitability is the great unknown. It is known that pricing in vending is higher than in a supermarket, but customers pay for the convenience. One example: a packet of gum costs 0.50 euros in a Chinese kiosk and the same price in the machine. The difference is that the machine is available 24 hours. But with Verifactu, costs are rising, and the question is whether the consumer will be willing to pay more. Some operators bet on private label products to keep costs down, while others see a potential niche in parapharmacy, although pharmacists restrict the sale of prescription medicines.

The analysis is stuck in uncertainty. Verifactu has not yet taken effect, but it has already caused a wave of closures. Profitability depends on the location, but vandalism and competition from kiosks are squeezing margins. No one is sure if the business will survive the new era of fiscal control, and field data does not invite optimism.