In short
A nota simple is an official Land Registry extract that tells you who owns a property, what debts or charges are registered against it, and whether there are any legal restrictions on its use. It costs €9.02, can be ordered online in minutes, and should be your first step before making any offer.
What Is a Nota Simple?
A nota simple informativa is a summary extract from the Spanish Land Registry (Registro de la Propiedad). It is not a full title report, but it gives you the essential information needed to assess a property's legal status before proceeding with a purchase.
Unlike in some other countries, Spain's Land Registry is a public database. Anyone can request a nota simple for any property — you do not need to be the owner or have the seller's permission.
What a Nota Simple Shows
A nota simple is divided into sections that together provide a comprehensive snapshot of the property's registered status:
Identification data
- Exact address and description of the property
- Land Registry reference (finca registral number)
- Catastral reference (links to the tax authority's database)
- Dimensions — both constructed area and plot area
Ownership (Titularidad)
- The full name and NIE/DNI of the current registered owner(s)
- The date and manner they acquired the property (purchase, inheritance, donation)
- If there are multiple owners, their respective shares
Charges and encumbrances (Cargas) This is the most important section for buyers. It will show:
- Any mortgages (hipotecas) registered against the property and by which bank
- Liens (embargos) — court-ordered freezes, often arising from unpaid debts
- Easements (servidumbres) — rights of way, access rights for neighbours, utility easements
- Pre-emption rights (derechos de tanteo/retracto) — rights giving a third party first refusal on purchase
- Urban planning notes (anotaciones urbanísticas) — restrictions related to planning or development orders
Urban classification Some nota simples include a note on whether the land is classified as urban (urbano), rural (rústico), or subject to any special planning regime — important in Mallorca where rural land has strict building restrictions.
The nota simple reflects registered reality, not physical reality
A nota simple only shows what has been formally registered. Illegal extensions, undeclared outbuildings, or planning violations that have not been noted at the registry will not appear. Always combine the nota simple with a physical inspection and a town hall planning check.
How to Get a Nota Simple Online
The fastest and cheapest method is through the Colegio de Registradores official website. You do not need a Spanish digital certificate to order.
Step-by-step:
- Go to www.registradores.org and navigate to "Nota Simple Online"
- Search for the property by catastral reference, full address, or Land Registry finca number
- Select the correct property from the results
- Pay the fee (currently €9.02 including VAT) by credit or debit card
- The nota simple is delivered to your email — usually within a few hours, sometimes immediately
You can also request a nota simple in person at the local Land Registry office (Registro de la Propiedad), but the online method is faster and more convenient for non-residents.
Get the catastral reference from the agent
Ask the selling agent or the seller for the referencia catastral before ordering. This 20-character alphanumeric code makes it much easier to identify the correct property entry, especially in urbanisations where many properties share similar addresses.
Reading a Nota Simple: What to Look For
Green flags
- Owner name matches the seller you are dealing with
- No charges or mortgages, or a mortgage that the seller confirms will be cancelled on completion
- Clear urban land classification with no planning notes
Red flags
Nota Simple vs. Full Title Search
A nota simple is an informal extract and carries no legal guarantee. For higher-value purchases or any transaction involving charges or complications, your lawyer should request a certificación registral — a formal certified extract that carries the Registrar's guarantee and is admissible as legal evidence. This costs more (around €30–€60) but provides stronger protection.
When to Order a Nota Simple
- Before making an offer — to confirm the owner is who the agent says and there are no obvious red flags
- Immediately before signing the arras contract — to check nothing has changed
- Just before notary completion — your lawyer will typically order a fresh one within 48 hours of signing
A nota simple is a snapshot in time. Charges can be registered or lifted at any point, so recency matters.
Professional help
Need help with this?
Spanish tax filings and bureaucracy can be complex. A local gestoría can handle Modelo 210, NIE applications, and other filings on your behalf.
Find a gestoría →Reading tools
Simplify this article