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Immigration & Residency
NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero)
The unique identification number required for all legal and financial activities in Spain, from banking to property.
NIE Guide →TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)
The physical biometric card proving your residency status. Applied for after your visa approval.
Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)
Residency for non-EU citizens based on passive income or savings. You cannot work on this visa.
Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)
Residency for remote workers whose income comes from outside Spain. Grants access to the Beckham Law.
Golden Visa
Residency granted for a €500,000+ real estate investment. Offers flexible stay requirements.
Permiso de Residencia
The formal Spanish term for a Residency Permit or legal authorization to live in Spain.
Residencia de Larga Duración
Long-term residency applied for after 5 continuous years of legal stay in Spain.
Certificado de Registro de la Unión
The "Green Card" for EU/EEA citizens residing in Spain for more than 3 months.
Oficina de Extranjería
The Foreigners' Office responsible for processing residency permits and TIE card appointments.
Autorización de Residencia
The official government approval document that grants you the legal permission to reside.
Schengen Area
A 29-country zone with no internal borders. Your TIE allows travel here for 90 days out of 180.
Unidad de Grandes Empresas (UGE)
A specialized body that fast-tracks Digital Nomad and Golden Visa applications nationally.
Reagrupación Familiar
The legal process to bring spouse and children to live with a legal resident in Spain.
Autorización de Regreso
A travel permit allowing entry while your TIE is being renewed or processed.
Hoja de Solicitud (EX-Form)
Official numbered government forms (e.g., EX-20) used for residency applications.
Antecedentes Penales
Criminal Record Certificate. A mandatory document from your home country for residency.
Visado de Estudios
Student Visa for full-time education. Allows part-time work (up to 30 hours) in many cases.
Arraigo Social
Residency based on social integration, requiring 3 years of stay plus a job offer.
Visado de Residencia
The consulate-issued sticker in your passport allowing legal entry into Spain.
Empadronamiento
Municipal Registry certificate proving your address. Vital for TIE and healthcare.
Apostille
An international seal verifying a document’s authenticity for use in Spain (Hague Convention).
Arraigo Laboral
Residency path requiring 2 years of stay plus proof of a past employment relationship.
Arraigo Familiar
Residency for parents of Spanish children or children of Spanish citizens.
Carta de Invitación
Police document allowing a resident to host a non-EU tourist in their home.
Tasa (Modelo 790)
The government fee paid at a bank before submitting immigration paperwork.
Nacionalidad Española
Spanish Citizenship, generally available after 10 years of legal residency.
Autorización de Trabajo
Work Permit, which can be 'Cuenta Ajena' (Employed) or 'Cuenta Propia' (Self-Employed).
Cuenta Ajena
Working for an employer (Employee status).
Cuenta Propia
Working for yourself (Self-Employed/Freelance status).
Renovación
The process of extending your residency permit before it expires.
Seguro Médico
Private Health Insurance. Mandatory for most visas; must be "Sin Copago" (no copay).
Tarjeta Sanitaria
Public Health Card giving access to state healthcare after Social Security registration.
Cita Previa
The mandatory "Prior Appointment" system used for all Spanish government visits.
Justificante
Official proof or receipt of submission/payment. Never throw these away.
Traducción Jurada
Official translation by a certified 'sworn' translator, required for legal documents.
Property & Conveyancing
Escritura Pública
The Public Deed of Sale signed at the Notary that transfers property ownership.
Nota Simple
Vital Land Registry extract confirming owner and checking for debts or liens.
Registro de la Propiedad
The Land Registry institution maintaining records of ownership and mortgages.
Notario (Notary)
Public official who certifies deeds. They check legality but do not protect buyer interests like a lawyer.
Poder Notarial (POA)
Power of Attorney allowing us or a lawyer to sign deeds on your behalf.
POA Guide →Contrato de Arras
Binding deposit contract (usually 10%) to secure a property before completion.
Contrato de Compraventa
Private Purchase Contract outlining the price and conditions of the sale.
Due Diligence
The legal investigation to check title, debts, and town planning legality before buying.
Cédula de Habitabilidad
Habitation Certificate certifying a property is fit to live in and connect utilities.
Catastro
Administrative register of physical property details used to calculate taxes.
Valor Catastral
The administrative value of a property set by Catastro; used to calculate IBI tax.
Comunidad de Propietarios
The Community of Owners (HOA) managing common areas and maintenance fees.
Hipoteca
Mortgage loan secured against the property.
Plusvalía Municipal
Local tax on the increase in land value, usually paid by the seller.
Servidumbre
Easement. A legal right for others (neighbors/utilities) to use part of your land.
Nuda Propiedad
Bare Ownership. Owning the title without the right to occupy (Usufruct).
Usufructo
The right to live in or rent a property without holding the actual ownership title.
Agente de la Propiedad (API)
A registered and qualified Real Estate Agent.
IBI
Annual Council/Property Tax paid to the Town Hall.
ITP (Transfer Tax)
Tax on resale property purchases (6-10% depending on the region).
IVA (VAT)
Value Added Tax. 10% on New Build properties.
AJD (Stamp Duty)
Stamp duty on legal documents like new build deeds or mortgages.
Referencia Catastral
The unique 20-character code identifying your specific property for tax.
Obra Nueva
A New Build/Off-plan property bought from a developer.
Segunda Mano
A Resale/Second-hand property bought from a previous owner.
Tasación
Official bank valuation required for mortgage LTV calculations.
Domiciliación Bancaria
Setting up direct debits for automatic bill payments.
Gastos de Compraventa
Closing Costs. Total taxes and fees on top of the property price (budget 10-12%).
Entrega de Llaves
The physical handover of keys upon completion at the Notary.
Defectos Ocultos
Hidden Defects not visible during inspection; sellers can be liable for 6 months.
Comprador
The Buyer/Purchaser in a property transaction.
Vendedor
The Seller/Vendor in a property transaction.
Obra Mayor
Major construction works requiring structural permits and architects.
Obra Menor
Minor renovation works requiring a simple permit from the Town Hall.
Licencia de Obras
The general Building License required before starting construction.
Tax & Finance
Agencia Tributaria (Hacienda)
The Spanish Tax Authority responsible for revenue collection and audits.
IRPF (Income Tax)
Personal Income Tax for residents on worldwide income (19% - 47%).
IRNR (Non-Resident Tax)
Income Tax for non-residents on Spanish-sourced income only.
Modelo 720
Informational declaration of overseas assets worth over €50,000.
Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio
Wealth Tax on net assets; rules vary significantly by region.
Impuesto de Sucesiones (ISD)
Inheritance and Gift Tax. Heavily dependent on regional allowances.
Renta Imputada
Tax on non-resident empty holiday homes based on a "deemed" rental value.
Autónomo
Self-employed/Freelance status. Includes monthly Social Security contributions.
Seguridad Social
The state system funding healthcare, unemployment, and pensions.
Número Seguridad Social (NSS)
Your individual Social Security ID number.
Declaración de la Renta
The mandatory annual personal income tax return for residents.
Modelo 210
Non-Resident tax form used for rental or imputed income declarations.
Modelo 100
The standard tax form used for the annual resident IRPF return.
Retención
Tax withheld at the source from salaries or invoices as an advance payment.
Certificado Residencia Fiscal
Official certificate proving tax residency to avoid double taxation.
Convenio Doble Imposición
Treaties between countries to prevent paying tax twice on the same income.
Ganancia Patrimonial
Capital Gains tax on profits from selling assets like stocks or property.
Desgravación Fiscal
Tax deductions or reliefs you can apply to reduce your final bill.
Gestor
Administrative specialist who handles paperwork and tax filings.
Asesor Fiscal
Professional Tax Advisor specialized in planning and compliance.
NIF
General Tax ID Number (DNI for Spaniards, NIE for foreigners).
CIF
Tax identification number for companies and businesses.
IBAN
International Bank Account Number; Spanish ones begin with 'ES'.
Certificado Bancario
Proof of balance document required for many residency applications.
Tributación
General term for the act of paying taxes or the tax system.
Tipo Impositivo
The specific tax rate or percentage applied to your taxable income.
Base Imponible
The taxable base amount after deductions have been applied.
Comunidad Autónoma
The autonomous regions of Spain that set their own local tax rates.
Embargo
Government seizure or lien on assets/bank accounts for unpaid debts.
Aplazamiento de Pago
A formal request to pay tax debts in installments over time.
Prescripción
The statute of limitations (usually 4 years) for tax debts to expire.
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