Nota simple informativa – a key document when purchasing real estate in Spain.
How to read and interpret it

Nota simple informativa – a key document when purchasing real estate in Spain. How to read and interpret it

Written by Anita Orłowska on 08.08.2025 - 7m reading

Written by Anita Orłowska on 08.08.2025 - 7m reading

Written by Anita Orłowska on 08.08.2025 - 7m reading

Buying an apartment or house in Spain requires completing certain formalities. One of them is checking the Nota Simple. Find out what this document is and why it is so important.

The popularity of investment properties in Spain continues unabated. More and more foreign buyers are deciding to finalise transactions and purchase premium properties on the Iberian Peninsula. This, in turn, means that numerous formalities must be completed – from signing the preliminary sales agreement and notarial deed, through paying taxes, to checking the Nota Simple. Find out how to read and interpret this document and what are the differences between a simple and a complete extract from the Spanish land registry.

Contents:

The Nota Simple is one of the most important documents in the process of buying a house or flat in Spain. It is a copy of the local land registry, issued by the Registro de la Propiedad, i.e. the Property Registry. It is for information purposes and is commonly used in real estate transactions. It is also recognised by banks, for example when verifying creditworthiness before granting a mortgage.

The Nota Simple Informativa is not only a document that is worth having before making a final decision to purchase a property. It is also a guarantee of legal security and transparency of the transaction, as it allows you to verify the legal status of the property. This includes, for example, any financial encumbrances. The Nota Simple is useful at various stages, such as:
 

• signing a preliminary contract, i.e. contrato de arras,
• applying for a mortgage,
• transferring ownership of the property (La escritura pública de compraventa).
   

It is worth emphasising the special role of the Nota Simple for people investing in luxury real estate. Due to the high transaction amounts and the need to verify any legal or financial risks, certainty about the legal status of an apartment or villa is a priority.

Read also: N.I.E. number in Spain – what is it and how to obtain it in Poland?

The Nota Simple is one of the most important documents in the process of buying a house or flat in Spain. It is a copy of the local land registry, issued by the Registro de la Propiedad, i.e. the Property Registry. It is for information purposes and is commonly used in real estate transactions. It is also recognised by banks, for example when verifying creditworthiness before granting a mortgage.

The Nota Simple Informativa is not only a document that is worth having before making a final decision to purchase a property. It is also a guarantee of legal security and transparency of the transaction, as it allows you to verify the legal status of the property. This includes, for example, any financial encumbrances. The Nota Simple is useful at various stages, such as:

• signing a preliminary contract, i.e. contrato de arras,
• applying for a mortgage,
• transferring ownership of the property (La escritura pública de compraventa).
  
  

It is worth emphasising the special role of the Nota Simple for people investing in luxury real estate. Due to the high transaction amounts and the need to verify any legal or financial risks, certainty about the legal status of an apartment or villa is a priority.

Read also: N.I.E. number in Spain – what is it and how to obtain it in Poland?

The Nota Simple is one of the most important documents in the process of buying a house or flat in Spain. It is a copy of the local land registry, issued by the Registro de la Propiedad, i.e. the Property Registry. It is for information purposes and is commonly used in real estate transactions. It is also recognised by banks, for example when verifying creditworthiness before granting a mortgage.

The Nota Simple Informativa is not only a document that is worth having before making a final decision to purchase a property. It is also a guarantee of legal security and transparency of the transaction, as it allows you to verify the legal status of the property. This includes, for example, any financial encumbrances. The Nota Simple is useful at various stages, such as:
 

• signing a preliminary contract, i.e. contrato de arras,
• applying for a mortgage,
• transferring ownership of the property (La escritura pública de compraventa).
   

It is worth emphasising the special role of the Nota Simple for people investing in luxury real estate. Due to the high transaction amounts and the need to verify any legal or financial risks, certainty about the legal status of an apartment or villa is a priority.

Read also: N.I.E. number in Spain – what is it and how to obtain it in Poland?

The Nota Simple Informativa contains a lot of important information. This includes, above all:
 

• description of the property (Descripción de la finca) – area, boundaries, floor plan, any share in common areas or cadastral number,
• ownership (Titularidad de la finca) – details of the owners, their shares and title deeds, date and method of acquisition of the property, e.g. inheritance,
• encumbrances (Cargas) – any mortgage, court auctions, easements, securities, bankruptcy proceedings.
   

In addition, the Nota Simple also contains marginal notes and Documentos presentados al libro diario pendientes de despacho, i.e. documents submitted to the land registry awaiting registration.

Please note that the information contained in the Nota Simple is public, i.e. it is accessible to anyone. Therefore, anyone can request a copy – they only need to provide a reason. In addition, please note that when applying for a mortgage or signing a transfer of ownership agreement, La escritura pública de compraventa, you must provide a current copy of the land register in Spain (issued no more than 3 months earlier).

When comparing a simple extract and a full extract in Spain, it should be remembered that the former is only an informative document. Therefore, it has no probative value and the data it contains is not complete. It only refers to the current legal status of the property, i.e. it does not take into account any past changes.

Unlike the Nota Simple, the full extract, or Certificado registral inmobiliario, has full legal force and contains the entire history of entries in the land register. It includes not only the current status of the property, but also all changes since its creation, such as former owners or expired restrictions. Therefore, the full extract can be used in court.

When is a Nota Simple Informativa sufficient? When you want to preliminarily check the legal status of a property, apply for a mortgage or sign a transfer of ownership agreement at a notary public. You know when to use a simple extract. And a full copy? The C.R.I. is primarily necessary during court proceedings. Although it is not mandatory when purchasing real estate, in the case of high-value transactions, it is worth familiarising yourself with the complete legal history of a luxury villa or apartment.

When comparing a simple extract and a full extract in Spain, it should be remembered that the former is only an informative document. Therefore, it has no probative value and the data it contains is not complete. It only refers to the current legal status of the property, i.e. it does not take into account any past changes.

Unlike the Nota Simple, the full extract, or Certificado registral inmobiliario, has full legal force and contains the entire history of entries in the land register. It includes not only the current status of the property, but also all changes since its creation, such as former owners or expired restrictions. Therefore, the full extract can be used in court.

When is a Nota Simple Informativa sufficient? When you want to preliminarily check the legal status of a property, apply for a mortgage or sign a transfer of ownership agreement at a notary public. You know when to use a simple extract. And a full copy? The C.R.I. is primarily necessary during court proceedings. Although it is not mandatory when purchasing real estate, in the case of high-value transactions, it is worth familiarising yourself with the complete legal history of a luxury villa or apartment.

When comparing a simple extract and a full extract in Spain, it should be remembered that the former is only an informative document. Therefore, it has no probative value and the data it contains is not complete. It only refers to the current legal status of the property, i.e. it does not take into account any past changes.

Unlike the Nota Simple, the full extract, or Certificado registral inmobiliario, has full legal force and contains the entire history of entries in the land register. It includes not only the current status of the property, but also all changes since its creation, such as former owners or expired restrictions. Therefore, the full extract can be used in court.

When is a Nota Simple Informativa sufficient? When you want to preliminarily check the legal status of a property, apply for a mortgage or sign a transfer of ownership agreement at a notary public. You know when to use a simple extract. And a full copy? The C.R.I. is primarily necessary during court proceedings. Although it is not mandatory when purchasing real estate, in the case of high-value transactions, it is worth familiarising yourself with the complete legal history of a luxury villa or apartment.

How to read the information contained in the land register? Spain has different laws than Poland, so it is safe to consult a lawyer specialising in the local real estate market. This will allow you to fully understand the content of the document and avoid any legal or financial problems.

When reviewing the Nota Simple, pay particular attention to the owners' details and any encumbrances. The last section is considered the most important and requires detailed analysis. Ideally, it should contain the note ‘LIBRE DE CARGAS’, which means no encumbrances. Also check that the Nota Simple does not contain any information about possible legal proceedings or restrictions on use.

As in Poland, in Spain the land and mortgage register, known as the Registro de la Propiedad, is a guarantee of transaction security and protection of the buyer's rights. Thanks to it, you can be sure of the actual legal status of the property and the absence of any encumbrances. This is particularly important in the premium market, where purchase prices can reach several million euros. It is also a source of information that could prevent the transaction from being completed.

You can obtain a Nota Simple in two ways. In person at the Land Registry or online via the website. There you will find a special form that you need to fill in. When applying for a simple extract from the land registry, you must provide a valid and genuine reason, e.g. your intention to purchase the property. The waiting time for the document is usually up to 2 working days.

The list of formalities related to buying property in Spain can be long. That is why it is worth using the services of an agency that will not only help you find a luxury apartment or villa, but also guide you step by step through the purchase process. This is exactly what Elite World Estates offers – a Polish company operating in Spain, thanks to which you can buy a property on the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca. Check out the available flats and houses!

We are here to help you! Please enter your contact details below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Let us narrow down the search among the properties available through us, by contacting us and finding the best options for you. 
We are here to help you!
Please enter your contact details below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Let us narrow down the search among the properties available through us, by contacting us and finding the best options for you. We are here to help you! Please enter your contact details below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Let us narrow down the search among the properties available through us, by contacting us and finding the best options for you. We are here to help you!
Please enter your contact details below and we will contact you as soon as possible.