Plain-English definitions of the key legal terms you'll encounter in Spain. Written for expats and foreign nationals who need to understand the local legal system.
Click any term to read the full definition, FAQs, and practical tips.
An autónomo is a self-employed person registered with Spanish tax and social security authorities, operating their own b...
Read definition →A comunidad de propietarios is the legal association of apartment or property owners in a shared building who jointly ma...
Read definition →A contrato de arrendamiento is a legally binding lease agreement between a landlord (arrendador) and tenant (arrendatari...
Read definition →An escritura pública is a formal, notarized deed that documents major legal transactions (especially property transfers)...
Read definition →A hipoteca is a Spanish mortgage—a secured loan for property purchase where the property itself serves as collateral for...
Read definition →The Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales (ITP) is a regional tax on the transfer of property ownership in Spain, typi...
Read definition →The NIE is a unique identification number issued to foreign nationals in Spain for tax, employment, and administrative p...
Read definition →A notaría is a government-authorized office where a notary public (notario) authenticates and certifies legal documents,...
Read definition →Definition of What is AJD (Actos Jurídicos Documentados)? under Spain law....
Read definition →Definition of What is Autónomo (Self-Employment in Spain)? under Spain law....
Read definition →Definition of What is Catastro (Registro de la Propiedad vs Catastro)? under Spain law....
Read definition →Definition of What is Certificado Energético (Energy Performance Certificate Spain)? under Spain law....
Read definition →Definition of What is Empadronamiento (Padrón Municipal)? under Spain law....
Read definition →Definition of What is Escritura Pública (Escritura de Compraventa)? under Spain law....
Read definition →Definition of What is Hipoteca (Spanish Mortgage)? under Spain law....
Read definition →Definition of What is IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles)? under Spain law....
Read definition →Definition of What is ITP (Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales)? under Spain law....
Read definition →Definition of What is NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero)? under Spain law....
Read definition →Definition of What is Notario (Notario Público)? under Spain law....
Read definition →Definition of What is Plusvalía (Impuesto sobre el Incremento de Valor de los Terrenos de Naturaleza Urbana — IIVTNU)? u...
Read definition →Definition of What is Poder Notarial (Power of Attorney Spain)? under Spain law....
Read definition →Definition of What is TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)? under Spain law....
Read definition →Our directory lists verified law firms across Spain's major cities, all offering English-language legal services.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across Spain's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 Seconds