Glossary of terms – property in Spain and Dubai

NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) – the foreigner identification number in Spain, required to buy property and for tax settlements.
Escritura pública – the notarial deed transferring ownership of the property, signed before a notary (notario) and entered in the land register.
Nota simple – a document issued by the Spanish land registry (Registro de la Propiedad), equivalent to the Polish land and mortgage register (księga wieczysta) – it confirms the owner, encumbrances and legal status of the property.
Contrato de arras (preliminary agreement) – an agreement with a deposit (usually 10% of the price), securing the transaction before the notarial deed is signed.
IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) – the annual cadastral property tax, the equivalent of the Polish property tax.
Plusvalía municipal – a local tax on the increase in land value, paid on sale.
Golden Visa (Spain) – a residence visa programme through property investment, abolished from April 2025.

DLD (Dubai Land Department) – the authority responsible for registering property and transactions in Dubai.
RERA – the agency regulating the real estate market in Dubai, supervising developers and escrow accounts.
Freehold – full, perpetual ownership of property, available to foreigners in designated zones.
Off-plan – property bought during construction, before completion, usually with staged payments.
Oqood – the DLD’s interim register for off-plan properties, protecting the buyer’s rights.
Escrow account – a trust account for off-plan buyers’ payments, inaccessible to the developer until subsequent construction stages are completed.
NOC (No Objection Certificate) – a certificate from the developer confirming there are no outstanding charges, required on resale.
Service charge – the annual maintenance fee for running the building/complex.
Golden Visa (UAE) – a 10-year, renewable residence visa for investors buying property from AED 2 million.