Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Glossary: Essential Spanish Property Vocabulary for English Buyers

General Property Terms

  • Propiedad – Property
  • Vivienda – Dwelling / Home
  • Casa adosada – Terraced house / Townhouse
  • Chalet / Villa – Detached house / Villa
  • Apartamento / Piso – Apartment / Flat
  • Ático – Penthouse
  • Finca – Country estate / Rural property
  • Parcela / Solar – Plot of land
  • Obra nueva – New build
  • Segunda mano – Resale property

Property Features

  • Habitación / Dormitorio – Bedroom
  • Baño / Aseo – Bathroom / Toilet
  • Salón / Sala de estar – Living room
  • Cocina – Kitchen
  • Terraza / Balcón – Terrace / Balcony
  • Piscina – Swimming pool
  • Garaje / Aparcamiento – Garage / Parking
  • Jardín – Garden
  • Trastero – Storage room
  • Armarios empotrados – Fitted wardrobes
  • Aire acondicionado – Air conditioning
  • Amueblado – Furnished
  • Reformado – Renovated

Buying & Legal Terms

  • Agente inmobiliario – Estate agent
  • Inmobiliaria – Real estate agency
  • Escritura – Title deed
  • Notario – Notary (public official overseeing the sale)
  • Registro de la propiedad – Land registry
  • Tasación – Property valuation
  • Hipoteca – Mortgage
  • Préstamo hipotecario – Mortgage loan
  • Gastos de compraventa – Purchase costs
  • Impuesto de transmisiones patrimoniales (ITP) – Transfer tax (for resale properties)
  • IVA (Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido) – VAT (on new properties)
  • Plusvalía municipal – Local capital gains tax
  • Contrato de arras – Reservation contract / Holding deposit contract
  • Honorarios – Fees (e.g., legal or agency)
  • Gestor / Asesor – Administrator / Tax advisor

Ownership & Residency

  • Propietario / Dueño – Owner
  • Comunidad de propietarios – Homeowners’ association
  • Gastos de comunidad – Community fees
  • Residencia – Residency (legal stay permit)
  • Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) – Foreigner’s Identification Number (required for purchases)

Rental Terms (if applicable)

  • Alquiler – Rental
  • Arrendamiento – Lease / Tenancy
  • Inquilino – Tenant
  • Propietario – Landlord
  • Fianza – Deposit
  • Contrato de alquiler – Rental agreement

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