These are short orientation definitions, not complete legal interpretations. Follow the relevant guide and obtain advice about the actual documents.
Nota simple
An informational Land Registry extract describing registered property and rights. It is useful for initial investigation but does not answer every planning or condition question. See legal checks.
Escritura
A notarial deed. In a purchase, the public deed records the transaction and needs to be understood alongside the other documents and post-completion tasks.
Arras
A term used for deposit arrangements whose legal effect depends on wording and circumstances. Do not assume every agreement bearing the label gives identical withdrawal rights.
NIE and NIF
Identification terms used in administrative and tax contexts. An identification number does not itself establish immigration permission or tax residence.
ITP, IVA and AJD
ITP commonly refers to transfer tax in resale discussions; IVA is VAT; AJD concerns documented legal acts, often described as stamp duty. The transaction and rules determine what applies. See taxes.
IBI and plusvalía municipal
IBI is a municipal property tax. Plusvalía municipal is a separate municipal tax question that may arise on a transfer of urban land. Do not confuse either with national capital-gains treatment.
Comunidad de propietarios and derrama
A community of owners manages shared property matters. A derrama is a special assessment for expenditure beyond the ordinary budget. Read ownership for practical questions.
Catastro and referencia catastral
The Cadastre is an administrative property record. The cadastral reference identifies a property in that system. Cadastral information and Land Registry rights have different roles.
Usufructo and nuda propiedad
Usufruct and bare ownership describe distinct rights. A transaction involving them is not automatically equivalent to acquiring unrestricted full ownership.
Suelo rústico
A term associated with rural land classification. Do not infer development rights from the existence of a building or the size of the plot.
Empadronamiento
Registration with the municipality's population register. It is separate from property ownership, immigration permission and the full tax-residence assessment.
Certificado de eficiencia energética
Energy-performance documentation relevant to marketing and transactions. Ask about the current requirements for the actual property and activity.
Contrato de arrendamiento
A rental agreement. Its title alone does not settle the legal classification of the occupation. Read the rental section.
Licencia de primera ocupación
A term associated with first-occupancy permission. The appropriate occupancy documentation and procedure depend on the property and applicable framework; have the actual position checked.
