- A nota simple is an extract from the Spanish land registry: owner, description, and any charges on the property.
- Order it online at sede.registradores.org. Official fee: €9.02 plus VAT.
- Average delivery, per the Registradores: under two hours, by email/download.
- It is informative only. For full legal proof you need a certificación.
- Get one before arras, and again just before completion.
What a nota simple shows
Spain's land registry (Registro de la Propiedad) is run by registradores, public officials organised through the Colegio de Registradores. Each property is recorded as a finca registral with its own number in a specific local registry. A nota simple summarises what that record says today:
- The owner or owners and their share (for example, 50% each), plus how and when they acquired it.
- The description: address, surface area, rooms, boundaries, and any share in a community of owners.
- Charges (cargas): mortgages, embargos (court or tax seizures), easements, rights of way, long leases, usufructs, and notes of pending legal claims.
- Pending entries: documents presented to the registry but not yet recorded.
What it doesn't show
- It isn't the catastro. The tax and mapping record is separate. Check the referencia catastral too; the two sometimes disagree on surface and boundaries.
- Unpaid bills that aren't registered. IBI arrears, community fees and utilities usually don't appear. Ask for receipts and a certificate from the community administrator.
- Planning problems. Illegal extensions or pending town-hall proceedings often aren't on it. That's a check for the council.
- Who is living there. Occupants and tenants without a registered lease won't show. See our okupas guide.
It also has no full legal effect. It's an informative note, not a certificate. For most buyers that's enough before signing; your lawyer and the notary rely on an updated check right before completion.
How to order a nota simple online
- Go to the Registradores' electronic office at sede.registradores.org and choose the nota simple of a property (Registro de la Propiedad).
- Identify the property. The easiest route is the finca registral number and the registry; you can also search by the referencia catastral or the address. The owner's name and ID number work too.
- State your reason (legitimate interest), for example buying the property. The registry only releases information for a legitimate purpose.
- Pay by card and give an email. You identify yourself with your own ID details; check the current identification options on the sede when you order.
The Registradores say you'll normally have it in under two hours. Some requests take longer if the registry needs to check the identification by hand. A translated version is available for an extra fee.
The same platform offers a newer nota online (currently €12.03 plus VAT), which is linked to continuous information. For a one-off pre-purchase check, the standard nota simple is what most buyers order.
Nota simple vs certificación
| Nota simple | Certificación registral | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal value | Informative only | Public document, full evidential value |
| Typical use | Due diligence before buying | Court cases, some bank or official procedures |
| Cost and time | €9.02 + VAT, usually hours | Higher fee, takes longer |
For buying a home, the nota simple is the standard tool.
How to read a nota simple
Layouts vary slightly between registries, but the fields are the same. Here is a walkthrough of a typical flat.
| Field (Spanish) | Example | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Registro / Finca nº / IDUFIR-CRU | Registro de Marbella nº 3, finca 12345, CRU 29000000123456 | The unique registry ID. Use it in contracts. |
| Descripción | Urbana: vivienda, planta 2ª, puerta B, 85 m² construidos | Does it match the listing and the catastro? Is a garage or storeroom included, or a separate finca? |
| Referencia catastral | 20 characters | Same as on the IBI bill? |
| Cuota | 2,5% | Share of the building's common costs. |
| Titularidad | Mr X, 100% pleno dominio, por compraventa | Is the seller the owner? If there are several owners, all must sign. |
| Cargas | Hipoteca a favor de Banco Y; Anotación de embargo | Every charge must be cancelled or dealt with at completion. |
| Afecciones fiscales | Afecta al pago del ITP | Usually routine notes that the property backs past transfer taxes. Your lawyer will confirm. |
| Documentos pendientes | Ninguno | Anything pending here needs explaining. |
A mortgage is normal: the seller's bank is paid off from your money at the notary and the loan is cancelled. An embargo or a prohibición de disponer (ban on selling) is more serious and needs your lawyer's attention before you pay anything.
When to get one
- Before paying a reservation fee or signing arras. This is when a surprise costs least.
- Again just before completion. The notary will also request registry information electronically, but your lawyer should see an up-to-date position too.
See how this fits the full process in our guide to buying property in Spain. If you'd like a second pair of eyes first, enter the address or reference in our free property check and we'll reply by email.
Questions
How much does a nota simple cost?
The official fee on the Registradores platform is €9.02 plus VAT per property. The Registradores say the average delivery time is under two hours.
Can I get a nota simple in English?
The Registradores platform offers a translated version for an extra fee. Otherwise the document is in Spanish.
Is a nota simple legally binding?
No. It is an informative extract. If you need a document with full evidential value, for example for court, you order a certificación registral instead.
When should I get a nota simple?
Before you sign a reservation or arras contract, and again a day or two before completion so the notary and your lawyer see the latest position.