Common Spanish Property Terms, Translated to English

Whether you're planning to move to Spain or are simply interested in investing in the country's real estate market, understanding the local banking and real estate terminology is crucial. If you are at least a little bit familiar with banking and real estate terms, it will make it less stressful for you and you'll be more aware of what's going on and be able to spot any potential issues more easily when you're buying or selling your property in Spain.

See below a glossary of Common Spanish Property Terms, translated into English. Remember the phrase... “Knowledge is Power”!

Scroll through the list below to get familiar with the most common property-related terms translated from Spanish to English. Remember, if you need professional advice, would like a valuation for your property or are just at the planning stage of your move to Spain from the United Kingdom, America or anywhere else in the world, get in touch with us - we're more than happy to help!

Glossary of Terms for Property-Related Words and Phrases in Spanish

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Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "A"

Acometida: A connection with a utility company of some kind, such as water or electricity.
Adosado: A Spanish word that means "semi-detached," but it more commonly refers to terraced townhouses in Spain.
Agente de Propiedad Inmobiliaria (API): A registration number is referred to as the Numero de API. This number is given to a real estate agent by the local College of estate agents.
Aire acondicionado: Air-conditioning.
Albañil: Bricklayer or labourer.
Alcantarillado: Name for the sewage system/drains.
Aljibe: Water storage tank.
Almuerzo: Lunch.
Alquiler / Se alquila: To Rent / For rent.
Amortización: The process of repaying the principal amount of a loan over time through equal monthly payments that include both the principal and the interest.
Amueblada: The Spanish word for furnished is "amueblada", whereas unfurnished is "sin amueblar".
Aparcamiento: Parking and typically refers to off-road private parking. Public parking is "aparcamiento público"
Apartamento: Apartment.
Armario: Lift.
Ascensor: Trees.
Árboles: Trees.
Aseo: Lavatory or changing room.
Aspiradora: Vacuum cleaner.
Ático: Top flat or attic or penthouse.
Azotea: Roof terrace.

Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "B"

Balcón: Balcony.
Banco: Bank.
Baño: The word for bathroom or bathtub is baño.
Barbacoa: Barbecue.
Barrio: Spanish word for a city quarter, neighbourhood, or district.
Basura or alcantarillado: Rubbish collection and mains drainage are referred to as "basura and alcantarillado," and the local municipal council will assess a fee for these services.
Boletín de instalaciones eléctricas: Certificate issued by an electrician who has been officially certified to state that the electrical wiring in a property complies with the applicable regulations.
Bombona: A Spanish slang term for a gas bottle.
Bricolaje: Do-it-yourself supplies are known as bricolaje.
Buen estado: Good condition. (En buen estado = In good condition).

Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "C"

Calefacción: Heating.
Calidad: Quality.
Calle: Street. Addresses are typically written as C/
Cambio: Spanish for exchange, but it can also refer to the rate at which currencies are traded (and "change" left in your pocket!)
Campo: In the countryside.
Cargos: The costs or charges incurred.
Cena: Dinner, or evening meal.
Chalet: Detached villa.
Chimenea: Synonymous with a fireplace and chimney.
Ciudad: City.
Cocina: Kitchen.
Código postal: Postal code.
Comedor: Dining room.
Compartir: To share (for example, flat shares).
Comprar: To purchase
Con / sin ascensor: With/without a lift (elevator)
Contador: Meter (electricity, gas,water).
Cortijo: A farmhouse is known as a cortijo.
Cuarto de baño: Bathroom.
Cuarto: Room.
Cuenta corriente: Current bank account.

Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "D"

Depósito: A tank or deposit, for example for water, called a depósito.
Desayuno: Breakfast.
Desván: Loft / Attic.
Doble acristalamiento: Double-glazed windows.
Domiciliación bancaria: Direct debit.
Domiciliación de pagos: Spanish term for recurring payments, such as for rent or utility bills.
Dormitorio principal: Master bedroom.
Dormitorio: Bedroom.
Ducha: Shower.
Duplex: Maisonette. Duplex.

Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "E"

Edificio: Building.
Electricidad: Electricity.
Entrada: Hallway, entrance. Also, known as the initial payment (deposit) on a home purchase, with the remaining balance being covered by a mortgage. If the purchaser changes their mind about the purchase, the entrada cannot be refunded.
Equipados: Equipped.
Escalera: Stairs
Espacio para piscina: Room for a pool.
Estanco: A tobacconist (seller of rental contracts and other official documents and papel del estado).
Estudio: Study/studio apartment.
Euribor: European Interbank Offered Rate and is calculated using the interest rate that is published by the European Central Bank for deposits of one year's duration in euros.

Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "F"

Factura: Bill or invoice.
Fecha: Date.
Ferretería: Spanish word for a hardware store / DIY shop / tool shop.
Fianza: Security deposit.
Finca: Farmstead. In common parlance, the term "rural property" refers to any land located outside of a city or village.
Fontanería: Plumbing.
Fosa séptica biológica: Biological septic tank.
Fosa séptica: Septic tank.
Frigorífico: Refrigerator.

Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "G"

Garaje: Garage
Garajes: Parking garages.
Gastos de comunidad: Community fees.
Gastos: Fees or expenses.
Generador: Generator (electricity).

Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "H"

Habitación: Sleeping quarters
Hacienda: Estate or farm. Also, the tax office, which has been formally succeeded by the agencia estatal de administracion tributaria but is still commonly referred to as the hacienda by the general populace.
Hectárea: Hectárea is Spanish for a Hectare. A Hectare equals 10,000 square metres, or 2,471 acres.
Hipoteca: Mortgage. It refers to a loan that will be recorded in the property register.
Honorarios: Fees.
Huerto: Can refer to a kitchen garden, orchard.

Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "I"

Importe: Amount. e.g. Amount owed.
Impuesto: Tax.
Inquilino: Tenant.
Inventario: Inventory.
Invernadero: A conservatory or a greenhouse is known as an invernadero.
IRPH (Indice de Referencia de Prestamos Hipotecarios): The rate used for variable mortgages published by Banco de España.

Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "J"

Jardín: Garden.

Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "L"

Ladrillos: Brick or masonry work is referred to as ladrillos.
Lavadero: Laundry room or utility room.
Lavadora: Washing machine is referred to as a lavadora.
Localidad: Location.
Lujo / lujoso: Luxury / luxurious.
Luminoso: Light / luminous.

Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "M"

Mal estado: Dilapidated (bad condition).
Mantenimiento: Maintenance.
Mármol: Marble.
Memoria de calidades: Building specifications, such as those for a house, which are required to be included in the plans drawn up by the architect.
Mensualidad: Monthly payment, such as for a mortgage.
Metros cuadrados: Square metres.
Mudanza: Move house.
Muebles: Furniture.

Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "O"

Obra con garantía: Literally translates to "work with a guarantee".
Obra nueva: New construction only.
Ocasión / Chollo: Deal, or a special offer. Bargain.
Oficina de rentas y ventas: Sales and rental office.
Oficinas: Offices / local office space o naves - commercial leasing.
Oportunidad!: Opportunity.

Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "P"

Papel del estado: Tax stamps, also known as papel del estado (translated as "state paper"), are issued by the state in a variety of denominations for the purpose of making official payments to government offices, such as when applying for a permit to reside in the country. Merchandised by estancos (tobacconist shops).
Para estrenar: Before being used for the first time (can refer to newbuilds and renovations).
Para reformar: Requires renovation.
Parabólica: Satellite dish.
Parcela: Piece of land / building plot.
Parcialmente construida: A construction that is only partially finished or built is said to be "parcialmente construida".
Pared medianera: Placed oneself within the wall (Pared medianera: Party wall.)
Parquet: Wooden floor.
Peligro: Danger.
Piscina: Swimming pool.
Plan General de Ordenación Urbana: The General Urban Development Plan, also known as town planning, is referred to as Plan General de Ordenación Urbana.
Planta: Floor level (ground, first, second, etc.)
Planta baja: Ground floor.
Planta: Floor.
Potencia: Power rating, for example of the electricity supply to a home.
Pozo negro: Cesspit.
Pozo: Well.
Precio: Price.
Presupuesto: Estimate.
Pueblo blanco: "White village". Refers to a town in Andalusia where the houses have been whitewashed.
Puerta de cristal: French windows.
Puerta: Door.

Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "R"

Recargo: Surcharge.
Recibo: Receipt.
Reformada: Reformed, e.g., modernised.
Rejas or rejillas: Iron security grilles or bars, such as those found on windows and patio doors, are referred to as rejas or rejillas.
Renovado: Renovated.
Rústica: Agricultural property. Rustic.

Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "S"

Saldo: Balance.
Salón: Lounge or living room.
Seguro de hogar: Household insurance
Seguro de viaje: Travel insurance.
Señal: Deposit.
Sistema de seguridad: Security system, alarm.
Solar: Acreage/Land/Plot.
Solarium: Solarium/sunroof or deck.
Sótano: Cellar, basement.
Subasta: The term "subasta" refers to an auction, often of real estate.
Suelo rústico: Agricultural/country land (suelo rústico).
Suelo urbano: Building/urban land (suelo urbano), and land that is capable of being converted from agricultural use to urban use are all referred to as "suelo rustico/urbano/urbanizable." (suelo urbanizable).

Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "T"

Tasa Annal: TAE The effective annual interest rate, for example for a mortgage, after interest is compounded and after all commission and fees are included. This is referred to as the Tasa Annal Equivalent, or TAE.
Tasa: Fee.
Tejado: Roof.
Temporada: "Temporary" or "short term," such as a rental agreement for a seasonal property.
Terreno Rústico: The word for land is terreno.
Terreno: Security system, alarm.
Tipo de interés: Interest rate.
Tranquilo: Quiet.
Transferencia: Banker's order. Transfer.
Traspaso: A lease or a property transfer is referred to as a traspaso.
Trastero: Storage room.

Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "U"

Urbanización: The term "housing estate" may also be used to refer to "urbanization." A community development.

Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "V"

Vacacional: Holiday (holiday homes).
Vado permanente: Keep clear. In front of a private entrance or garage, for example, this is a no-parking zone. Watch out, Gruas (tow trucks) do NOT mess about in Spain!!!
Vallado: Fenced in, e.g. a garden.
Vecinidad: The Spanish word for neighbourhood is vecindad.
Venta: Sale. "Se Vende" means "for sale".
Vendedor/a: Vendor or seller.
Ventana: Window.
Viejo/a: Old
Vigas de madera: Wooden beams, also known as vigas de madera, are used to construct the ceiling.
Viveros: Garden centre. Nursery.
Vivienda de Protection Oficial (VPO): Primary or main residence.
Vivienda: Dwelling.
Vivienda habitual: Garden centre. Nursery.
Viviendas: Housing (including apartments and houses)

Useful Spanish Property-Related Words & Phrases Beginning with "Z"

Zona verde: Green zone where no building is permitted. Also applies to areas such as lawns, gardens, and other "green" spaces.
Zonas Comunes: The parts of a community development that are owned by the community as a whole are referred to as zonas comunes.

Useful Real Estate Related Phrases in Spanish, Translated to English

Viewing a Property

In contrast to Britain, it is commonpracticee to talk about square metres in Spain, and prices are frequently given on a per-square-meter basis.

¿Cuántos metros cuadrados tiene la casa?
How many square metres does this house have?

60 m² construidos, 53 m² útiles.
60 square metres of which 53 are usable (remainder either low roof or outside)

¿Cuántas habitaciones tiene el piso?
How many bedrooms does the apartment have?

¿Cuánto mide esta habitación?
What is the size of this bedroom?

Even in a country with a lot of sunshine like Spain, the orientation of a building is still very important because it determines how much and when you will get direct sunlight.

¿Qué orientación tiene la casa?
What is the orientation of the house?

Norte, sur, este o oeste
North, south, east or west

Questions about the property in general

¿Cuánto tiempo lleva en venta?
How long has it been on the market?

¿De qué año es la construcción?
What is the year of construction?

¿La cocina es de gas o eléctrica?
Is the hob gas or electric? (cocina also means kitchen)

¿Qué tipo de calefacción tiene?
What type of heating does it have?

¿Cuánto son los gastos de la comunidad?

What are the service charges?
This normally includes the upkeep of common spaces.

Useful phrases for property rentals in Spain

¿El alquiler incluye gastos?
Does the rent include charges? (i.e. electricity, heating, etc.)

¿Cuánto es la fianza?
How much is the deposit?

¿Está amueblado?
Is it furnished?

¿La cocina está equipada?
Is the kitchen equipped? i.e. does the flat come with a kitchen and utilities.

¿Cuándo estaría disponible?
When would it be available?

¿Cuál duración mínima del contrato?
What is the minimum length of the contract?

Concluding a property viewing

According to a recent article, despite the fact that the purchase of a home represents the single most significant investment most of us will ever make in our lives, the typical closing of a property transaction takes less than seventeen minutes.

If you are interested in going further with the property you are viewing, you might want to say something like.

Estaremos en contacto muy pronto.
We will be in contact very soon.

In case you are not too interested:

No es lo que buscamos.
It’s not what we are looking for.

Me lo pensaré.
I’ll think about it. (a favourite for the English!)

Finally, knowing Spanish banking and real estate terms is not only important but also necessary if you want to make choices in the Spanish property market. With these terms at your fingertips, you'll be equipped with the tools you need to navigate the complexities of Spanish banking and real estate language with ease.

Whether it's buying or selling property or investing in the Spanish property market, having a solid grasp of these terms will make your experience less daunting and more rewarding.

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