Glossary of Spanish terms
The words below are the ones a notary, a bank, a tax office or a land registry will use. Each is explained in English, with the pages that use it.
Terms are listed alphabetically by their Spanish form. Where a term has several meanings in practice, the entry gives the meaning used on this site. If you meet a term on a document that is not here, send it through the contact page and we will add it with a source. Entries come from the margin notes on each page, so a term appears here once a page that uses it has been published and checked.
The list is updated whenever a page is added, so it always matches what is on the site.
214 terms. Each entry names the pages that use it; the site search finds them.
A
- abogado
- lawyerUsed on: First-time buyers in Spain: what to know; How to choose a lawyer to buy property in Spain; Estate agents in Spain: what they do and who they work for and 6 more
- accesibilidad
- accessibility, how easy the home is to use as you ageUsed on: Buying a home to retire in Spain
- acta de entrega
- handover record signed by the buyer and the developerUsed on: Snagging and handover of a new home in Spain
- administrador
- company director with the power to signUsed on: Buying property in Spain through a company; Community fees in Spain: what they cover and how to check them; Community of owners debts when buying a property in Spain and 4 more
- administrador de fincas
- the administrator of a community of ownersUsed on: Using a caretaker for your Spanish home; Risks of leaving a Spanish home empty; Holiday home management in Spain and 1 more
- afección real
- a charge that attaches to the property itselfUsed on: What a nota simple does not tell you about a Spanish property
- Agencia Tributaria Valenciana
- the Valencian tax agencyUsed on: Transfer tax (ITP) in the Valencian Community
- Agència Tributària de les Illes Balears
- the tax agency of the Balearic IslandsUsed on: Transfer tax (ITP) in the Balearic Islands
- AJD
- stamp duty on the notarial deed, set by each regionUsed on: Costs of buying property in Spain; Stamp duty in Spain explained; Taxes when buying property in Spain and 5 more
- alquiler de temporada
- seasonal rental, for a few monthsUsed on: Rent before you buy in Spain
- anotación preventiva
- a registry annotation warning of a pending claim or debtUsed on: What a nota simple does not tell you about a Spanish property
- anticipo
- an advance paymentUsed on: Mistakes when buying property in Spain; Problems buying property in Spain: what goes wrong and why; Fake property listings in Spain: how to spot them and 3 more
- apoderado
- the attorney, the person who holds the powerUsed on: Buying property in Spain from abroad
- apostilla
- certificate that makes a foreign document valid in another countryUsed on: Buying property in Spain from abroad; NIE appointment in Spain: how it works; Why you need a NIE to buy property in Spain and 3 more
- aprovechamiento por turno
- the legal name of the timeshare regimeUsed on: Freehold or leasehold in Spain; Ways to own property in Spain: joint, shared, timeshare; Joint ownership of property in Spain and 3 more
- arancel
- state-approved scale of fees for notaries and registrarsUsed on: Gestor fees when buying property in Spain; Professional fees when buying property in Spain; Land registry fees when buying property in Spain and 2 more
- arras
- deposit paid under a preliminary contractUsed on: The buying process; Buying property in Spain step by step; Making an offer on a property in Spain and 12 more
- arrendamiento
- a lease or letUsed on: Buying a house in Spain to rent out; Buy to let in Spain: long-term letting for foreign owners; Letting agents in Spain for long-term rentals and 20 more
- Augas e Facenda
- the regional tax authority of Galicia, in its own languageUsed on: Transfer tax (ITP) in Galicia
- ausencias esporádicas
- sporadic absences, time away from Spain that the day count may still add backUsed on: Does owning a home make you a Spanish tax resident?
- autoconsumo
- self-consumption, producing electricity for your own useUsed on: Solar and energy-efficiency subsidies in Spain; Damp and mould in Spanish homes: what to check; Heating a home in Spain: what to ask before buying and 3 more
- aval
- bank guarantee that secures money paid in advanceUsed on: Buying off plan in Spain; Guarantees on off-plan payments in Spain
- ayuntamiento
- town council, the body that charges the taxUsed on: How plusvalía is calculated in Spain; Plusvalía municipal when buying or selling in Spain; Plusvalía refunds: getting the tax back in Spain and 1 more
B
- base imponible
- tax base, the value on which a tax is calculatedUsed on: Buying costs as a percentage of the price in Spain; Worked examples of buying costs in Spain; ITP, the resale transfer tax in Spain and 1 more
- boletín eléctrico
- the electrical installation certificateUsed on: Owning and selling Spanish property as a foreigner; Changing the electricity contract holder in Spain; First month checklist after buying in Spain and 3 more
- Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE)
- the official state gazette, where laws are publishedUsed on: Does a 500,000 euro house still give you residency in Spain?
C
- caducidad
- the lapse of pending parliamentary business when a chamber is dissolvedUsed on: Would Spain's proposed 100 percent tax reach EU buyers, and is the bill still alive?
- cantidades anticipadas
- advance payments, money paid before the home is deliveredUsed on: Guarantees on off-plan payments in Spain
- capital de provincia
- provincial capital, the city that gives the province its nameUsed on: Is Torrevieja cheaper than Alicante? What the official tables can and cannot compare
- cargas
- charges on a property such as mortgages and seizuresUsed on: What a nota simple does not tell you about a Spanish property; Buying a resale home in Spain; Building inspection (ITE/IEE) when buying in Spain and 10 more
- causante
- the deceasedUsed on: Inheritance tax by region in Spain; Gift tax on property in Spain; Inheritance and gift tax on property in Spain and 2 more
- centro de intereses económicos
- centre of economic interestsUsed on: Does owning a home make you a Spanish tax resident?; Becoming tax resident in Spain after buying property; Centre of economic interests and Spanish tax residency and 3 more
- certificación de dominio y cargas
- a signed registry certificate of ownership and chargesUsed on: What a nota simple does not tell you about a Spanish property
- certificación registral
- a registry certificate, signed by the registrarUsed on: Building inspection (ITE/IEE) when buying in Spain; Catastro and referencia catastral when buying in Spain; Check for debts on a property in Spain before buying and 8 more
- certificado de deuda
- certificate showing whether the seller owes community feesUsed on: Hidden costs of buying property in Spain
- certificado de eficiencia energética
- the energy performance certificateUsed on: Estate agent commission when selling in Spain; How long it takes to sell a house in Spain; Selling property in Spain as a foreigner and 3 more
- certificado de registro
- the registration certificate for EU citizensUsed on: EU registration certificate in Spain (certificado de registro); Registering in Spain: padrón, EU certificate and TIE; TIE card in Spain: what it is and who needs it and 1 more
- certificado energético
- the energy performance certificateUsed on: Solar and energy-efficiency subsidies in Spain; Damp and mould in Spanish homes: what to check; Heating a home in Spain: what to ask before buying and 3 more
- certificado sucesorio europeo
- European Certificate of SuccessionUsed on: A Spanish will for owners of Spanish property; European Certificate of Succession and Spanish property; Forced heirship and foreigners with Spanish property and 1 more
- cédula de habitabilidad
- habitability certificate, required in some regionsUsed on: Buying property in Spain checklist; Planning a property viewing trip to Spain
- coeficiente
- multiplier that depends on the years the property was heldUsed on: How plusvalía is calculated in Spain
- Colegio de Registradores
- the national association of property registrarsUsed on: Reading the Alicante line in the registrars' foreign-buyer table
- compraventa
- sale and purchase of a propertyUsed on: Spain property market, prices and rules for foreign buyers; Housing bubble risk in Spain; Spain property market crash risk: what the data says and 19 more
- compraventas de vivienda
- home purchasesUsed on: Reading the Alicante line in the registrars' foreign-buyer table
- comunidad autónoma
- autonomous community, the region that sets the rateUsed on: ITP, the resale transfer tax in Spain; Risks of buying a cheap house in Spain; Cheap houses in Spain: what they are and why they are cheap and 68 more
- comunidad de propietarios
- owners' association of the buildingUsed on: Buying a holiday home in Spain; Rights of foreign property owners in Spain; Pros and cons of buying property in Spain and 44 more
- concurso de acreedores
- insolvency proceedings, where a company cannot pay its debtsUsed on: Developer risks when buying new in Spain
- confederación hidrográfica
- the river basin authority that manages waterUsed on: Buying a property with a well in Spain; Rural property in Spain: water, septic tank and power; Electricity for a rural home in Spain and 2 more
- Consorcio
- Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros, the state insurance compensation bodyUsed on: Checking a location before buying property in Spain; Coastal erosion when buying a home in Spain; Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros: what it pays and 3 more
- Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros
- the state body that pays extraordinary-risk lossesUsed on: What the Consorcio pays after a DANA flood, and what stays with you
- contrato de arras
- deposit contract that precedes the deedUsed on: First-time buyers in Spain: what to know; Making an offer on a property in Spain
- contrato de reserva
- reservation contract that takes the home off the marketUsed on: Making an offer on a property in Spain; Arras contract in Spain: confirmatory and penitential explained; Deposit when buying property in Spain and 4 more
- contrato privado
- a private purchase contract signed before the deedUsed on: Arras contract in Spain: confirmatory and penitential explained; Deposit when buying property in Spain; Contracts before completion when buying in Spain and 3 more
- convenio
- tax treatyUsed on: Does owning a home make you a Spanish tax resident?; FBAR and Form 8938 for Americans with a Spanish property; Buying property in Spain as an American and 29 more
- convenio especial
- the special agreement for public health coverUsed on: Cost of living in Spain for retirees; Healthcare in Spain for foreign residents; Daily life in Spain: healthcare, schools and noise and 3 more
- cooperativa de viviendas
- housing cooperative, a group of buyers who build homes for themselvesUsed on: Buying through a housing cooperative in Spain
- copropiedad
- co-ownership, where several people own shares in one propertyUsed on: Ways to buy: as a couple, with others, through a company or from abroad; Buying property in Spain with friends or family; Freehold or leasehold in Spain and 5 more
- costa
- coast, used in names such as Costa BlancaUsed on: Risks of buying a cheap house in Spain; Cheap houses in Spain: what they are and why they are cheap; Cheapest places to buy property in Spain: what the data shows and 67 more
- criterios de gestión
- management criteria, a ministry's guidance to its own offices on how to apply a ruleUsed on: Does a 500,000 euro house still give you residency in Spain?
- CTE
- Código Técnico de la Edificación, the technical building codeUsed on: Solar and energy-efficiency subsidies in Spain; Damp and mould in Spanish homes: what to check; Heating a home in Spain: what to ask before buying and 3 more
- cuenta especial
- separate account where advance payments must be heldUsed on: Buying off plan in Spain; Guarantees on off-plan payments in Spain
- cuota
- the share each co-owner holdsUsed on: Buying property in Spain with friends or family
- CUPS
- código universal del punto de suministro, the code that identifies a supply pointUsed on: Owning and selling Spanish property as a foreigner; Changing the electricity contract holder in Spain; First month checklist after buying in Spain and 3 more
D
- DANA
- depresión aislada en niveles altos, the weather pattern behind many autumn floodsUsed on: What the Consorcio pays after a DANA flood, and what stays with you; Checking a location before buying property in Spain; Coastal erosion when buying a home in Spain and 4 more
- decreto-ley
- decree-law, a government decree with the force of lawUsed on: Transfer tax (ITP) in Andalusia
- defectos
- defects, faults in the building workUsed on: Snagging and handover of a new home in Spain
- derrama
- special levy charged by the community of owners for worksUsed on: Hidden costs of buying property in Spain; Community fees in Spain: what they cover and how to check them; Community of owners debts when buying a property in Spain and 4 more
- devengo
- the day the tax falls dueUsed on: Would Spain's proposed 100 percent tax reach EU buyers, and is the bill still alive?
- diputación foral
- provincial council that sets taxes in a Basque provinceUsed on: Transfer tax (ITP) in the Basque Country and Navarre
- disposición transitoria
- transitional provision, a clause that says which rules apply to cases already under wayUsed on: Does a 500,000 euro house still give you residency in Spain?
- donatario
- donee, the person who receives a giftUsed on: Inheritance tax by region in Spain; Gift tax on property in Spain; Inheritance and gift tax on property in Spain and 2 more
E
- ejemplo
- exampleUsed on: Worked examples of buying costs in Spain
- empadronamiento
- municipal registration of where you liveUsed on: Buying a second home, retirement home or home to live in; Buying a home to live in Spain; Buying a home to retire in Spain and 82 more
- entrega de llaves
- handover, when the developer gives the buyer the keysUsed on: Snagging and handover of a new home in Spain
- escala
- scale, a table of rates that rise with the valueUsed on: Transfer tax (ITP) by region in Spain
- escritura
- the deed signed before the notaryUsed on: How long it takes to buy a house in Spain; Stamp duty in Spain explained; Completion day when buying property in Spain and 40 more
- escritura de compraventa
- deed of sale, signed before a notaryUsed on: Buying property in Spain step by step
- escritura pública
- public deed, the document signed before the notary that transfers the propertyUsed on: The buying process
- estafa
- a fraud or scamUsed on: Mistakes when buying property in Spain; Problems buying property in Spain: what goes wrong and why; Fake property listings in Spain: how to spot them and 3 more
- estatutos
- the cooperative's statutes, its rulesUsed on: Buying through a housing cooperative in Spain; Community fees in Spain: what they cover and how to check them; Community of owners debts when buying a property in Spain and 4 more
- EX-15
- the application form for a NIEUsed on: NIE appointment in Spain: how it works; Why you need a NIE to buy property in Spain; How to get a NIE number in Spain and 2 more
F
- familia monoparental
- single-parent familyUsed on: Transfer tax (ITP) in Castilla-La Mancha
- familia numerosa
- large family, a status that qualifies for some reductionsUsed on: Transfer tax (ITP) in Madrid; Reduced ITP rates in Spain
- FEIN
- ficha europea de información normalizada, the standard European information sheet for a mortgage offerUsed on: Documents to open a Spanish bank account as a non-resident; Best bank for non-residents in Spain: how to choose; Spanish direct debit (domiciliación) for bills and 36 more
- FiAE
- ficha de advertencias estandarizadas, the standard warnings sheetUsed on: Documents to open a Spanish bank account as a non-resident; Best bank for non-residents in Spain: how to choose; Spanish direct debit (domiciliación) for bills and 36 more
- finca
- a registered property, with its own entry in the registryUsed on: What a nota simple does not tell you about a Spanish property; Risks of buying a cheap house in Spain; Cheap houses in Spain: what they are and why they are cheap and 68 more
- fosa séptica
- a septic tankUsed on: Buying a property with a well in Spain; Rural property in Spain: water, septic tank and power; Electricity for a rural home in Spain and 2 more
- franquicia
- the excess, the part of a loss the insured bearsUsed on: What the Consorcio pays after a DANA flood, and what stays with you
- fuera de ordenación
- out of planning, a status for buildings that do not fit current plansUsed on: AFO status in Spain: asimilado a fuera de ordenación; Illegal builds and planning risks when buying in Spain; Legalising an irregular property in Spain and 3 more
G
- ganancia patrimonial
- capital gain, the profit on a saleUsed on: Capital gains tax when selling property in Spain; Over-65 exemption on the sale of a home in Spain; Reinvestment relief when selling a main home in Spain and 1 more
- garantía decenal
- ten-year structural guaranteeUsed on: Ten-year structural warranty on Spanish new builds
- gastos
- the costs of buying, holding and sellingUsed on: Spanish property as an investment; Buying costs as a percentage of the price in Spain
- gastos de compraventa
- the costs of a purchase on top of the priceUsed on: Pros and cons of buying property in Spain; Costs of buying property in Spain
- gestor
- administrative agent who files paperworkUsed on: What you need to buy property in Spain; How to choose a lawyer to buy property in Spain; Estate agents in Spain: what they do and who they work for and 10 more
- gestoría
- administrative agency that files taxes and registration paperwork for a feeUsed on: Buying property in Spain step by step; Hidden costs of buying property in Spain; Costs of buying property in Spain and 5 more
- gran tenedor
- large holder, a buyer who owns a large number of homesUsed on: Transfer tax (ITP) in Catalonia
H
- heredero
- heirUsed on: Inheritance tax by region in Spain; Gift tax on property in Spain; Inheritance and gift tax on property in Spain and 2 more
- hipoteca
- mortgageUsed on: Documents to open a Spanish bank account as a non-resident; Best bank for non-residents in Spain: how to choose; Spanish direct debit (domiciliación) for bills and 36 more
- hoja de encargo
- engagement letter that sets the scope and fee of a lawyerUsed on: Gestor fees when buying property in Spain; Professional fees when buying property in Spain; Land registry fees when buying property in Spain and 2 more
I
- IBI
- annual local property taxUsed on: Buying a holiday home in Spain; Pros and cons of buying property in Spain; Buying property in Spain checklist and 5 more
- ICIO
- impuesto sobre construcciones, instalaciones y obras, the municipal tax on building worksUsed on: Solar and energy-efficiency subsidies in Spain; Damp and mould in Spanish homes: what to check; Heating a home in Spain: what to ask before buying and 3 more
- IGIC
- general indirect tax of the Canary IslandsUsed on: IGIC on new homes in the Canary Islands; VAT, IGIC and AJD on new builds in Spain
- impuesto sobre sucesiones y donaciones
- inheritance and gift taxUsed on: Inheritance tax by region in Spain; Gift tax on property in Spain; Inheritance and gift tax on property in Spain and 2 more
- indemnización
- compensationUsed on: Buying a let flat while the new rent decree is pending
- inmobiliaria
- estate agencyUsed on: Finding a property to buy in Spain
- inquilino
- tenantUsed on: Buying a house in Spain to rent out; Buy to let in Spain: long-term letting for foreign owners; Letting agents in Spain for long-term rentals and 20 more
- inundación extraordinaria
- an extraordinary flood, as the regulation defines itUsed on: What the Consorcio pays after a DANA flood, and what stays with you
- IPREM
- the public income indicator used to set means thresholdsUsed on: Spain golden visa abolished: what the repeal did; Alternatives to the Spain golden visa; Existing Spain golden visa holders: what to do now and 11 more
- IPV
- índice de precios de vivienda, the national house price indexUsed on: Spain property market, prices and rules for foreign buyers; Housing bubble risk in Spain; Spain property market crash risk: what the data says and 19 more
- IRNR
- non-resident income tax, impuesto sobre la renta de no residentesUsed on: Non-resident tax return deadlines in Spain; EU and EEA deductions for non-resident owners in Spain; Imputed income tax for non-resident owners in Spain and 5 more
- ITP
- regional transfer tax on resale homesUsed on: Spanish property market outlook for 2026; Costs of buying property in Spain; Stamp duty in Spain explained and 14 more
- IVA
- value added taxUsed on: New build or resale: how the two purchases differ; Taxes when buying property in Spain; Costs and taxes of buying property in Spain and 2 more
- índice de precios de vivienda (IPV)
- the statistics office's house price indexUsed on: Record house prices in Spain: what each official series measures
J
- Junta de Andalucía
- the regional government of AndalusiaUsed on: Transfer tax (ITP) in Andalusia
L
- LAU
- Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos, the urban lettings actUsed on: Buying a house in Spain to rent out; Buy to let in Spain: long-term letting for foreign owners; Letting agents in Spain for long-term rentals and 20 more
- legítima
- the part of an estate reserved by law to close relativesUsed on: A Spanish will for owners of Spanish property; European Certificate of Succession and Spanish property; Forced heirship and foreigners with Spanish property and 1 more
- licencia
- a municipal licence or permitUsed on: AFO status in Spain: asimilado a fuera de ordenación; Illegal builds and planning risks when buying in Spain; Legalising an irregular property in Spain and 3 more
- licencia de obras
- building licence, permission to buildUsed on: Developer risks when buying new in Spain
- licencia de primera ocupación
- first-occupation licence, which allows the home to be usedUsed on: Buying a new-build home in Spain
- límite de renta
- income limitUsed on: Transfer tax (ITP) in Murcia
- llavero
- the person who holds the keysUsed on: Using a caretaker for your Spanish home; Risks of leaving a Spanish home empty; Holiday home management in Spain and 1 more
M
- Mesa del Congreso
- the governing board of the chamber, which admits bills for processingUsed on: Would Spain's proposed 100 percent tax reach EU buyers, and is the bill still alive?
- Ministerio de Defensa
- Ministry of Defence, which decides authorization requestsUsed on: Buying property in Spain as a foreigner: who can buy
- minuta
- the itemised fee note a notary or registry issuesUsed on: Gestor fees when buying property in Spain; Professional fees when buying property in Spain; Land registry fees when buying property in Spain and 2 more
- modelo 210
- the non-resident income tax returnUsed on: Non-resident tax return deadlines in Spain; EU and EEA deductions for non-resident owners in Spain; Imputed income tax for non-resident owners in Spain and 5 more
- Modelo 720
- declaration of assets abroadUsed on: Becoming tax resident in Spain after buying property; Centre of economic interests and Spanish tax residency; Spanish tax residency and owning property in Spain and 2 more
N
- nacionalidad del comprador
- nationality of the buyerUsed on: Reading the Alicante line in the registrars' foreign-buyer table
- NIE
- foreigner identification number, used on tax filings and the deedUsed on: Buying property in Spain as a foreigner: who can buy; Buying property in Spain as a non-resident; What you need to buy property in Spain and 46 more
- no residente
- non-resident, someone who does not live in SpainUsed on: Buying property in Spain as a non-resident; FBAR and Form 8938 for Americans with a Spanish property; Buying property in Spain as an American and 24 more
- no residentes en la Unión Europea
- people and entities not resident in the EU, the buyers the bill would taxUsed on: Would Spain's proposed 100 percent tax reach EU buyers, and is the bill still alive?
- nota simple
- an informational extract from the land registryUsed on: What a nota simple does not tell you about a Spanish property; Buying a resale home in Spain; Buying property in Spain checklist and 48 more
- notario
- notary, a public officer who checks the parties and the contract and records the deedUsed on: The buying process; How to choose a lawyer to buy property in Spain; Estate agents in Spain: what they do and who they work for and 6 more
- nuda propiedad
- bare ownership, ownership without the right to use during a usufructUsed on: Freehold or leasehold in Spain; Ways to own property in Spain: joint, shared, timeshare; Joint ownership of property in Spain and 3 more
O
- obra nueva
- new build, a home sold for the first time by its developerUsed on: New build or resale: how the two purchases differ; Buying a new-build home in Spain
- okupa
- a squatter occupying a property without titleUsed on: Mistakes when buying property in Spain; Problems buying property in Spain: what goes wrong and why; Fake property listings in Spain: how to spot them and 3 more
P
- pacto de copropiedad
- co-ownership agreement between the ownersUsed on: Buying property in Spain with friends or family
- padrón
- municipal registerUsed on: Residency and tax status for Spanish property owners; EU registration certificate in Spain (certificado de registro); Registering in Spain: padrón, EU certificate and TIE and 2 more
- PATRICOVA
- the Valencian regional plan on flood riskUsed on: What the Consorcio pays after a DANA flood, and what stays with you
- plazo
- deadline or time limitUsed on: How long it takes to buy a house in Spain
- plazo de carencia
- the waiting period before cover startsUsed on: What the Consorcio pays after a DANA flood, and what stays with you
- plusvalía
- gain on sale, taxed on the sellerUsed on: Spanish property as an investment; Capital gains tax when selling property in Spain; Over-65 exemption on the sale of a home in Spain and 2 more
- plusvalía municipal
- municipal tax on the increase in value of urban landUsed on: How plusvalía is calculated in Spain; Plusvalía municipal when buying or selling in Spain; Plusvalía refunds: getting the tax back in Spain and 7 more
- poder
- power of attorney, letting another person sign for youUsed on: What you need to buy property in Spain; Completion day when buying property in Spain; Completion and the deed (escritura) when buying in Spain and 7 more
- poder notarial
- notarial power of attorney, letting another person sign for youUsed on: Buying property in Spain as a non-resident; Buying property in Spain from abroad; Ways to buy: as a couple, with others, through a company or from abroad
- pozo
- a wellUsed on: Buying a property with a well in Spain; Rural property in Spain: water, septic tank and power; Electricity for a rural home in Spain and 2 more
- póliza
- the insurance policyUsed on: Home insurance in Spain for property owners; How to make a home insurance claim in Spain; Home insurance for non-residents in Spain and 1 more
- precio declarado
- the price stated in the deed and registeredUsed on: Record house prices in Spain: what each official series measures; Is Torrevieja cheaper than Alicante? What the official tables can and cannot compare
- precio por metro cuadrado
- price per square metreUsed on: Finding a property to buy in Spain
- primera copia
- first copy of the deed, the document the tax is charged onUsed on: AJD stamp duty on new builds in Spain
- primera vivienda
- first home, a term some tax reductions useUsed on: First-time buyers in Spain: what to know; Transfer tax (ITP) in Castilla-La Mancha
- promotor
- developer, the party who sells the new home and takes the legal risks of building itUsed on: Developer risks when buying new in Spain; New build or resale: how the two purchases differ; Buying a new-build home in Spain and 2 more
- propiedad
- ownershipUsed on: Rights of foreign property owners in Spain
- Proposición de Ley
- a bill filed by a parliamentary group or by members, not by the GovernmentUsed on: Would Spain's proposed 100 percent tax reach EU buyers, and is the bill still alive?
- propuesta
- proposal, not yet lawUsed on: Spanish property market outlook for 2026; Transfer tax (ITP) in Madrid
- prórroga
- extension of a leaseUsed on: Buying a let flat while the new rent decree is pending
R
- recepción de la obra
- acceptance of the works, from which the liability periods runUsed on: Ten-year structural warranty on Spanish new builds
- recibo
- bill or receiptUsed on: IBI property tax in Spain: how it works; How and when to pay IBI in Spain; Annual property taxes in Spain: IBI, rubbish and running costs and 2 more
- rectificación
- correction of a tax return or assessment, the usual route to a refundUsed on: Plusvalía refunds: getting the tax back in Spain
- referencia catastral
- the cadastral reference, the property’s code in the cadastreUsed on: What a nota simple does not tell you about a Spanish property; Building inspection (ITE/IEE) when buying in Spain; Catastro and referencia catastral when buying in Spain and 32 more
- Registradores
- the property registrars’ professional bodyUsed on: Spain property market, prices and rules for foreign buyers; Housing bubble risk in Spain; Spain property market crash risk: what the data says and 19 more
- Registro de Aguas
- the register of water rightsUsed on: Buying a property with a well in Spain; Rural property in Spain: water, septic tank and power; Electricity for a rural home in Spain and 2 more
- Registro de la Propiedad
- Land Registry, which records owners and chargesUsed on: Rights of foreign property owners in Spain; The buying process; Completion day when buying property in Spain and 4 more
- renta imputada
- imputed income, the income the law assumes from a home you own but do not letUsed on: Does owning a home make you a Spanish tax resident?; Non-resident tax return deadlines in Spain; EU and EEA deductions for non-resident owners in Spain and 6 more
- rentabilidad
- return on the money investedUsed on: Spanish property as an investment
- representante
- representative who signs for the companyUsed on: Buying property in Spain through a company
- residencia
- legal residence, the right to live in SpainUsed on: Buying a home to live in Spain; Buying a home in Spain and living there; Spain golden visa abolished: what the repeal did and 14 more
- residencia fiscal
- tax residenceUsed on: Does owning a home make you a Spanish tax resident?; Becoming tax resident in Spain after buying property; Centre of economic interests and Spanish tax residency and 3 more
- residencia habitual
- habitual residenceUsed on: A Spanish will for owners of Spanish property; European Certificate of Succession and Spanish property; Forced heirship and foreigners with Spanish property and 1 more
- residente
- residentUsed on: FBAR and Form 8938 for Americans with a Spanish property; Buying property in Spain as an American; US-Spain tax treaty and Spanish property and 23 more
- retención
- withholding, an amount the buyer keeps back and pays to the tax agencyUsed on: Capital gains tax when selling property in Spain; Over-65 exemption on the sale of a home in Spain; Reinvestment relief when selling a main home in Spain and 1 more
- régimen foral
- foral regime, the system under which the Basque provinces and Navarre set their own taxesUsed on: Transfer tax (ITP) in the Basque Country and Navarre
S
- segunda mano
- resale, a home sold by an earlier ownerUsed on: New build or resale: how the two purchases differ; Buying a resale home in Spain
- segunda residencia
- second home, any home that is not your main residenceUsed on: Buying a second home, retirement home or home to live in; Timing a purchase in Spain
- segunda vivienda
- second home, a home that is not your main residenceUsed on: Buying a holiday home in Spain
- seguro de hogar
- home insuranceUsed on: Home insurance in Spain for property owners; How to make a home insurance claim in Spain; Home insurance for non-residents in Spain and 1 more
- seguro decenal
- ten-year insurance covering structural damage in new housingUsed on: Ten-year structural warranty on Spanish new builds
- siniestro
- an insured loss or incidentUsed on: Home insurance in Spain for property owners; How to make a home insurance claim in Spain; Home insurance for non-residents in Spain and 1 more
- SNCZI
- Sistema Nacional de Cartografía de Zonas Inundables, the national flood-zone map serviceUsed on: Checking a location before buying property in Spain; Coastal erosion when buying a home in Spain; Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros: what it pays and 3 more
- sobre plano
- off plan, bought before it is builtUsed on: New build or resale: how the two purchases differ; Buying off plan in Spain
- sociedad
- company, such as an SLUsed on: Ways to buy: as a couple, with others, through a company or from abroad
- sociedad limitada
- private limited company, often written SLUsed on: Buying property in Spain through a company
- socio
- member of the cooperativeUsed on: Buying through a housing cooperative in Spain
- subrogación
- taking over the landlord’s place in a leaseUsed on: Buying a let flat while the new rent decree is pending
- suelo rústico
- rural landUsed on: AFO status in Spain: asimilado a fuera de ordenación; Illegal builds and planning risks when buying in Spain; Legalising an irregular property in Spain and 3 more
- suelo urbano
- urbanised landUsed on: AFO status in Spain: asimilado a fuera de ordenación; Illegal builds and planning risks when buying in Spain; Legalising an irregular property in Spain and 3 more
- sujeto pasivo
- taxpayer, the person the law makes liable for the taxUsed on: How plusvalía is calculated in Spain; Plusvalía municipal when buying or selling in Spain; Plusvalía refunds: getting the tax back in Spain and 1 more
- suma asegurada
- the sum insuredUsed on: What the Consorcio pays after a DANA flood, and what stays with you
- sustituto del contribuyente
- substitute taxpayer, who pays in place of the taxpayerUsed on: Who pays plusvalía: buyer or seller
T
- tarjeta sanitaria
- the individual health cardUsed on: Cost of living in Spain for retirees; Healthcare in Spain for foreign residents; Daily life in Spain: healthcare, schools and noise and 3 more
- tasa de basuras
- local fee for household waste collectionUsed on: IBI property tax in Spain: how it works; How and when to pay IBI in Spain; Annual property taxes in Spain: IBI, rubbish and running costs and 2 more
- tasación
- the appraisal of the property for the lenderUsed on: Documents to open a Spanish bank account as a non-resident; Best bank for non-residents in Spain: how to choose; Spanish direct debit (domiciliación) for bills and 36 more
- testamento
- a willUsed on: A Spanish will for owners of Spanish property; European Certificate of Succession and Spanish property; Forced heirship and foreigners with Spanish property and 1 more
- TIE
- tarjeta de identidad de extranjero, the residence cardUsed on: NIE appointment in Spain: how it works; Why you need a NIE to buy property in Spain; How to get a NIE number in Spain and 7 more
- tipo general
- general rate, the rate that applies when no reduction doesUsed on: Transfer tax (ITP) by region in Spain
- tipo reducido
- reduced rateUsed on: Transfer tax (ITP) in Murcia; Reduced ITP rates in Spain; AJD stamp duty rates by region in Spain
- titular
- the holder named on a supply contractUsed on: Owning and selling Spanish property as a foreigner; Changing the electricity contract holder in Spain; First month checklist after buying in Spain and 3 more
- tomador
- the policyholder who signs the contractUsed on: Home insurance in Spain for property owners; How to make a home insurance claim in Spain; Home insurance for non-residents in Spain and 1 more
- traductor jurado
- sworn translator, whose translations are officialUsed on: How to choose a lawyer to buy property in Spain; Estate agents in Spain: what they do and who they work for; The gestor in a Spanish property purchase and 5 more
- tramo
- bracket, a band of value taxed at one rateUsed on: Transfer tax (ITP) in the Balearic Islands; Transfer tax (ITP) in Catalonia
U
- usufructo
- usufruct, the right to use a property and take its fruits owned by anotherUsed on: Freehold or leasehold in Spain; Ways to own property in Spain: joint, shared, timeshare; Joint ownership of property in Spain and 3 more
V
- valor catastral
- cadastral value, the official value of a property for tax purposesUsed on: Non-resident tax return deadlines in Spain; EU and EEA deductions for non-resident owners in Spain; Imputed income tax for non-resident owners in Spain and 14 more
- valor de referencia
- the cadastral reference value, the base the bill would useUsed on: Would Spain's proposed 100 percent tax reach EU buyers, and is the bill still alive?; Spanish property market outlook for 2026; Buying costs as a percentage of the price in Spain and 3 more
- valor de tasación
- the value a valuer puts on a home in an appraisal reportUsed on: Record house prices in Spain: what each official series measures
- valor tasado
- appraisal valueUsed on: Is Torrevieja cheaper than Alicante? What the official tables can and cannot compare
- ventas repetidas
- repeat sales, an index method that follows homes sold more than onceUsed on: Record house prices in Spain: what each official series measures
- visado
- visa, the entry permission issued by a consulateUsed on: Spain golden visa abolished: what the repeal did; Alternatives to the Spain golden visa; Existing Spain golden visa holders: what to do now and 12 more
- visado de residencia para inversores
- investor residence visa, the entry permission that went with the investor routeUsed on: Does a 500,000 euro house still give you residency in Spain?
- visita
- viewingUsed on: Planning a property viewing trip to Spain
- vivenda habitual
- main home, the home where you live (Galician)Used on: Transfer tax (ITP) in Galicia
- vivienda de uso turístico
- a dwelling let for tourist useUsed on: Buying a house in Spain to rent out; Buy to let in Spain: long-term letting for foreign owners; Letting agents in Spain for long-term rentals and 20 more
- vivienda habitual
- main home, where you live most of the yearUsed on: Buying a second home, retirement home or home to live in; Buying a home to live in Spain; Buying a home to retire in Spain and 10 more
- vivienda permanente
- permanent home, the first tiebreaker in the Spain-UK conventionUsed on: Does owning a home make you a Spanish tax resident?
Z
- zona de acceso restringido
- restricted-access zone, an area where foreign buyers may need military authorizationUsed on: Buying property in Spain as a foreigner: who can buy
- zona inundable
- a flood-prone zoneUsed on: Checking a location before buying property in Spain; Coastal erosion when buying a home in Spain; Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros: what it pays and 3 more