These three documents are often confused, but they serve very different purposes.
The Escritura is the notarised deed recording the purchase of a property. The Copia Simple is an unofficial copy of that deed, printed on plain paper and commonly used for administrative purposes.
The Nota Simple, on the other hand, is an extract from the Spanish Land Registry. It provides a summary of the property's registered details, including ownership, charges and other relevant information.
It is not uncommon for the size of a plot to differ between official documents.
In many cases, this is because the Catastro (Spanish Cadastral Register) has calculated its figures from aerial surveys rather than from the information recorded in the Registro de la Propiedad (Spanish Land Registry).
The legally binding plot size is the one registered with the Registro de la Propiedad.
These two terms are often used interchangeably, although they refer to different things.
The IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) is the annual Spanish property tax levied by the local municipality.
SUMA, on the other hand, is the public authority responsible for collecting municipal taxes on behalf of most municipalities in the Province of Alicante. In many areas, property owners therefore pay their IBI through SUMA.
In Spain, this is the most important figure used to describe the size of an existing or proposed building.
Unlike the living area, the Superficie Construida represents the total built area of the property. It includes the footprint of the external and internal walls and is calculated by adding together the built area of all floors.
If the figure appears larger than expected, keep in mind that covered terraces (often counted at 50%) may also be included, as well as, in some cases, a proportionate share of communal areas.
An Obra Mayor refers to a major building project that requires a full building licence.
This classification applies whenever structural elements are added, altered or removed, or when the Superficie construida of a property is increased.
An Obra Menor refers to a minor building project that is subject to a simplified building permit procedure.
It applies to building work that does not affect the structural integrity of the property and does not alter the Superficie construida.
Even relatively small renovation works — such as replacing bathroom tiles — generally require this type of permit before work can begin.
If your property is part of a residential complex or an apartment building, the Comunidad de Propietarios (Owners' Community) should be informed about the nature and scope of any planned building works at an early stage of the project.
In many municipalities, the written approval of the Comunidad de Propietarios is even a prerequisite for obtaining a building licence..
In Spain, there is no strict division of architectural services into regulated work phases such as, for example, the RIBA stages in the UK or the HOAI service structure in Germany. However, the building permit process is generally divided into two key stages:
The Proyecto Básico primarily defines the design concept and demonstrates compliance with local planning and building regulations, while the Proyecto de Ejecución corresponds to the detailed technical design required for construction.
For typical residential projects such as single-family homes, both phases are usually combined into a single document known as the Proyecto Básico y de Ejecución.
An official endorsement by the Architects’ Association confirming that a project has been reviewed for completeness and formal compliance.
For the execution design of an Obra Mayor, the Visado is mandatory, as well as for architectural certificates intended for use in notarial procedures.
A voluntary Visado can be requested for any architectural document at any time. However, due to the additional cost, this is in practice only done in specific cases.
The Spanish value-added tax (VAT).
In most construction-related quotations, IVA is not included in the stated price and must therefore be added to the total cost.
A technical architect responsible for site supervision and construction control.
In Spain, the Aparejador (also known as arquitecto técnico) works alongside the architect in the execution of an Obra Mayor. While the architect is responsible for the overall design and project direction, the Aparejador focuses on the technical execution on site.
Their responsibilities include controlling materials, monitoring construction quality, and ensuring health and safety standards on site.
During the structural phase of construction — particularly when the reinforced concrete structure is being built — the Aparejador plays a central role in day-to-day site supervision.
A certification confirming that a specific installation complies with technical regulations and has been correctly executed.
A Boletín is typically issued for installations such as electricity, gas, or water by a licensed professional authorised to certify the work.
It is required when applying for utility connections or reactivating services, and must be submitted to the relevant utility companies.
Most certified installation companies are authorised to issue Boletines.