Reference

Real Estate Glossary

A comprehensive guide to real estate, mortgage, legal, and compliance terminology for buying property in Spain and Dubai. Understand every term before you sign.

Categories:Mortgage & FinanceSpain LegalDubai LegalGeneral Real EstateCompliance

A7 terms

AangifteDutch Tax: The annual Dutch tax return filed with the Belastingdienst. Foreign property must be declared in Box 3. Spanish property also requires IRNR filing in Spain.
AJDSpain: Actos Juridicos Documentados. Spanish stamp duty on notarised documents, applied to new-build purchases alongside IVA at 0.5% to 1.5% by region.
AJD (Actos Juridicos Documentados)Spain Legal: Spanish stamp duty (Documented Legal Acts tax) levied on notarized documents. Applied to new-build purchases alongside IVA, with rates varying from 0.5% to 1.5% by region (as of Q2 2026). Also applies to mortgage deeds, though since 2018 this cost is borne by the bank.
AMLCompliance: Anti-Money Laundering. A framework of laws and procedures to prevent disguising illegally obtained funds as legitimate income through financial transactions.
AML (Anti-Money Laundering)Compliance: A framework of laws, regulations, and procedures designed to prevent criminals from disguising illegally obtained funds as legitimate income through financial transactions, including real estate purchases. AML obligations for Zaminor include client identification, transaction monitoring, suspicious activity reporting, and record keeping.
AmortizationFinancial: Gradual repayment of a mortgage through regular instalments covering both principal and interest. Early amortization in Spain may incur a 0% to 0.5% penalty.
ArrasSpain: A preliminary deposit contract in Spain. If the buyer withdraws, they lose the deposit (typically 10%); if the seller withdraws, they must return double the deposit.

B3 terms

BelastingverdragDutch Tax: A bilateral tax treaty between two countries. The Netherlands has treaties with Spain and the UAE regulating which country taxes specific income and assets.
Box 3Dutch Tax: The Dutch wealth tax category taxing savings and investments, including foreign property, based on a deemed return (forfaitair rendement) rather than actual income.
BrokerGeneral: A licensed real estate professional assisting in property transactions. In Dubai, all brokers must hold a RERA broker card. In Spain, requirements vary by region.

C8 terms

Capital gains taxFinancial: Tax on profit from selling property. Non-residents in Spain pay 19% on net profit. A 3% retention is withheld by the buyer at completion. Dubai levies no capital gains tax.
CatastroSpain: The Spanish cadastral registry recording the physical characteristics and cadastral value of all properties. Used to calculate IBI, plusvalia, and IRNR.
CDDCompliance: Customer Due Diligence. The process of verifying client identity, understanding the business relationship, and assessing money laundering risk under Wwft.
CDD (Customer Due Diligence)Compliance: The process of verifying a client identity, understanding the nature of their business relationship, and assessing money laundering risk. Under Wwft, CDD includes identity verification, address verification, source of funds check, and PEP screening. Enhanced CDD applies to higher-risk clients.
Cedula de habitabilidadSpain: A certificate of habitation confirming a property meets minimum living standards. Required in several Spanish regions before utilities can be connected or the property can be rented.
ComunidadSpain: Comunidad de propietarios. The community of property owners in a Spanish development, similar to a homeowners association, managing shared areas and maintenance.
Comunidad (comunidad de propietarios)Spain Legal: The community of property owners in a Spanish residential development, similar to a homeowners association. Manages shared areas, pools, gardens, and building maintenance. Members pay monthly or quarterly fees (gastos de comunidad) and attend annual general meetings to vote on budgets and maintenance decisions.
ConveyancingGeneral: The legal process of transferring property ownership. In Spain: nota simple, arras, escritura, registro. In Dubai: NOC, SPA, DLD transfer, title deed.

D7 terms

DBRFinancial: Debt Burden Ratio. A UAE metric capped at 50% by the Central Bank of the UAE. Includes all debts toward the 50% limit.
DBR (Debt Burden Ratio)Mortgage & Finance: A metric used by UAE banks, capped at 50% by the Central Bank of the UAE (as of Q2 2026). It measures total monthly debt obligations as a percentage of gross monthly income. All debts including credit cards, personal loans, and the proposed mortgage count toward the 50% limit.
DLDDubai: Dubai Land Department. The government authority responsible for property registration in Dubai. Charges a 4% registration fee on property transactions.
DLD (Dubai Land Department)Dubai Legal: The government authority responsible for regulating and registering all real estate transactions in Dubai. The DLD charges a 4% transfer fee (as of Q2 2026) on all property purchases, which is typically split between buyer and seller. The DLD issues the title deed and maintains the official property register.
DTIFinancial: Debt-to-Income ratio. Total monthly debt payments divided by gross monthly income. Used by lenders to assess repayment capacity.
DTI (Debt-to-Income)Mortgage & Finance: A ratio comparing your total monthly debt payments to your gross monthly income. Lenders use DTI to assess your ability to manage monthly repayments. A lower DTI indicates less financial strain and increases your chances of mortgage approval.
Due diligenceGeneral: Comprehensive investigation before purchasing property to verify legal status, ownership, debts, building permits, and regulatory compliance.

E10 terms

EIBORFinancial: Emirates Interbank Offered Rate. The benchmark for UAE bank lending. Dubai variable-rate mortgages are priced as EIBOR plus a fixed margin.
EIBOR (Emirates Interbank Offered Rate)Mortgage & Finance: The benchmark interest rate at which UAE banks lend to each other, published daily by the Central Bank of the UAE. Most variable-rate mortgages in Dubai are priced as EIBOR plus a fixed margin (typically 1.5% to 3% (as of Q2 2026)). EIBOR fluctuates with global monetary policy.
EjariDubai: The mandatory online registration system for tenancy contracts in Dubai. Required for connecting utilities, obtaining visas, and legal enforceability of leases.
EmpadronamientoSpain: Registration on the local municipal census (padron) in Spain. Required for accessing public services, healthcare, schooling, and residency applications.
EquityFinancial: The difference between a property current market value and the outstanding mortgage balance. Increases through repayment and appreciation.
EscrituraSpain: The public deed of sale in Spain, signed before a notary. This document transfers legal ownership of the property and is registered at the Land Registry.
Escritura (escritura publica)Spain Legal: The public deed of sale signed before a Spanish notary that formalizes the property transfer. The escritura is a legally binding document that must be registered at the Land Registry (Registro de la Propiedad) to transfer official ownership. The notary verifies identities, ensures legal compliance, and witnesses the signing.
EscrowDubai: A neutral third-party account holding buyer funds until transaction conditions are met. In Dubai, all off-plan payments must go into RERA-regulated escrow accounts.
EuriborFinancial: Euro Interbank Offered Rate. The benchmark for euro-denominated lending. Spanish variable-rate mortgages track the 12-month Euribor.
Euribor (Euro Interbank Offered Rate)Mortgage & Finance: The benchmark interest rate for euro-denominated interbank lending in the EU. Spanish variable-rate mortgages are typically Euribor plus a fixed margin. The 12-month Euribor is the most common reference for Spanish mortgages and is reviewed annually or semi-annually.

F3 terms

Fixed rate mortgageFinancial: A mortgage with constant interest for the full term or an initial period, providing payment certainty regardless of market fluctuations.
Forfaitair rendementDutch Tax: The fictional return on assets assumed by the Dutch tax authority for Box 3 taxation. Rates are adjusted annually based on market data.
FreeholdDubai: Full property ownership rights for foreign buyers in designated Dubai areas. Owners can sell, lease, or occupy without time restrictions.

G2 terms

GestorSpain: A licensed Spanish administrative agent handling bureaucratic procedures such as NIE applications, tax filings, and permits on behalf of clients.
Golden VisaDubai: A residency permit granted to foreign investors who meet certain investment thresholds. In Dubai, a 10-year visa is available for property investments of AED 2 million or more.

H2 terms

HandoverDubai: The moment a developer transfers possession of a completed off-plan property to the buyer, triggering the final payment and title deed issuance.
Heffingsvrij vermogenDutch Tax: The tax-free allowance in Box 3, approximately EUR 57,000 per person for 2026. Only net assets above this threshold are taxed.

I6 terms

IBISpain: Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles. Annual Spanish property tax levied by the municipality, calculated on the cadastral value, typically 0.4% to 1.1%.
IRNRSpain: Impuesto sobre la Renta de No Residentes. Spanish non-resident income tax on property. For non-rented properties, based on imputed income from the cadastral value.
ITPSpain: Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales. Transfer tax paid on resale property purchases in Spain. Rates vary by autonomous community, typically 6-10% of the purchase price.
ITP (Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales)Spain Legal: The property transfer tax in Spain applied to resale property purchases. The rate varies by autonomous community: 7% in Andalusia, 10% in Catalonia and Valencia, and 6% to 13% in the Balearic Islands (as of Q2 2026). Must be paid within 30 days of the notarial deed.
IVASpain: Impuesto sobre el Valor Anadido. Spanish VAT at 10% applies to new-build property purchases instead of ITP.
IVA (Impuesto sobre el Valor Anadido)Spain Legal: Spanish Value Added Tax, charged at 10% on new-build residential property purchases (21% for commercial) (as of Q2 2026). IVA applies instead of ITP when buying directly from a developer or builder. It is paid to the developer at the time of the escritura signing.

K2 terms

KYCCompliance: Know Your Customer. A regulatory process to verify the identity of clients, required under anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and the Dutch Wwft.
KYC (Know Your Customer)Compliance: The process of verifying the identity and suitability of clients before and during a business relationship. KYC is a core component of anti-money laundering compliance. At Zaminor, KYC involves six steps: personal information, ID verification, address proof, source of funds, PEP declaration, and compliance review.

L3 terms

LeaseholdDubai: Property tenure for a specified period (30-99 years) in Dubai. Ownership reverts to the freeholder at the end of the term.
LTVFinancial: Loan-to-Value ratio. The percentage of a property value that a bank will lend. In Spain, non-residents can typically borrow up to 70% LTV. In Dubai, the maximum is 65% for non-residents.
LTV (Loan-to-Value)Mortgage & Finance: The ratio of a mortgage loan to the appraised value of the property, expressed as a percentage. A 70% LTV means the bank finances 70% and you provide a 30% deposit. Non-residents typically get a maximum of 70% LTV in Spain and 65% in Dubai (as of Q2 2026).

M1 term

MediationGeneral: Professional facilitation of a property transaction between buyer and seller. Zaminor connects Dutch buyers with verified brokers in Spain and Dubai.

N7 terms

NIESpain: Numero de Identificacion de Extranjero. A foreigner identification number required for property transactions in Spain. Essential for buying property, opening bank accounts, and signing contracts.
NIE (Numero de Identificacion de Extranjero)Spain Legal: A unique tax identification number assigned to foreigners in Spain. Required for any economic activity including buying property, opening a bank account, paying taxes, and signing contracts. Applied for at a Spanish consulate abroad or at a police station in Spain.
NIFSpain: Numero de Identificacion Fiscal. The Spanish tax identification number for individuals and legal entities. For foreigners, the NIE serves as the NIF.
NOCDubai: No Objection Certificate. A document from the developer confirming no outstanding charges, required before the DLD will process a property transfer.
NOC (No Objection Certificate)Dubai Legal: A document issued by the property developer confirming no outstanding service charges or objections to the sale. Required before the Dubai Land Department will process a property transfer. The developer typically charges AED 500 to AED 5,000 (as of Q2 2026) for issuing the NOC, and processing takes 5 to 7 business days.
Nota simpleSpain: An official extract from the Spanish Land Registry summarising the legal status of a property, including ownership, charges, and encumbrances.
NotarioSpain: A Spanish public notary who authenticates the escritura and ensures the transaction is legally valid. Fees are regulated at approximately 0.5% to 1% of the purchase price.

O2 terms

Off-plan propertyGeneral: A property purchased from a developer before or during construction, often at a lower price. In Dubai, off-plan projects must be RERA-registered with funds in escrow.
OqoodDubai: The interim registration system for off-plan properties in Dubai. Registers the SPA with the DLD at a 4% fee, protecting the buyer until the title deed is issued.

P6 terms

PEPCompliance: Politically Exposed Person. An individual who holds or has held a prominent public function. Enhanced due diligence is required for PEPs under anti-money laundering regulations.
PEP (Politically Exposed Person)Compliance: An individual who holds or has held a prominent public function, such as a head of state, senior politician, or judicial official. PEPs and their family members are subject to enhanced due diligence under Wwft and EU anti-money laundering directives due to higher corruption risk. Zaminor requires a PEP declaration from all clients.
PlusvaliaSpain: A municipal tax in Spain on the increase in land value since the last transfer. Technically paid by the seller. A 2021 reform capped taxation to prevent levying when no real profit was made.
Poder notarialSpain: A notarised power of attorney in Spain allowing a designated person to act on your behalf in legal and property matters.
Power of attorneyGeneral: A legal document authorising a person to act on your behalf in a property transaction. In Spain: poder notarial. In Dubai: attested via UAE embassy or Dubai Courts.
Power of attorney (POA)General Real Estate: A legal document authorizing a person (typically a lawyer) to act on your behalf in a property transaction. Essential for buyers who cannot travel for every signing. In Spain, a poder notarial must be notarized and apostilled. In Dubai, a POA can be attested at a UAE embassy or through the Dubai Courts.

R5 terms

Ready propertyGeneral Real Estate: A completed property available for immediate handover and occupation, as opposed to off-plan. Ready properties can be inspected before purchase, offer immediate rental income potential, and have a more straightforward transaction process. Also referred to as secondary market or resale properties.
Registro de la PropiedadSpain: The Spanish Land Registry where property ownership is officially recorded. Registration provides legal protection and proof of ownership.
RERADubai: Real Estate Regulatory Authority. The regulatory arm of the DLD that licenses brokers and developers, regulates escrow accounts, and resolves disputes.
RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority)Dubai Legal: The regulatory arm of the Dubai Land Department that oversees the real estate sector. RERA licenses all brokers and developers, regulates escrow accounts for off-plan projects, sets rent increase guidelines, and resolves disputes between landlords and tenants. All agents operating in Dubai must hold a valid RERA broker card.
Residency permitGeneral: Official authorisation to reside in a foreign country. In Spain via Golden Visa (EUR 500,000+). In Dubai via investor visa (AED 750,000+ for 2 years or AED 2M+ for 10 years).

S6 terms

Service chargeDubai: Annual fee paid by property owners to building management for maintenance of shared facilities. Regulated by RERA, typically AED 10-30 per sqft per year in Dubai.
SnaggingDubai: The inspection process at handover to identify construction defects or quality issues in newly built properties before final acceptance.
SPADubai: Sales Purchase Agreement. The formal contract between buyer and developer for off-plan purchases in Dubai. Registered with the DLD via Oqood.
Stamp dutyFinancial: A tax on legal documents in property transactions. In Spain, AJD applies to new builds at 0.5-1.5% by region. Dubai has no stamp duty.
StrataDubai: A property subdivision in Dubai dividing a building into individually owned units and shared common areas, governed by Law No. 6 of 2019.
Stress testFinancial: A calculation ensuring borrowers can afford repayments if rates rise. Spanish banks apply a +2% stress buffer for non-resident applications.

T1 term

Transfer taxFinancial: A tax on the transfer of property ownership. In Spain this is the ITP (6-10% for resale). In Dubai, the DLD transfer fee is 4%.

U1 term

UsufructoSpain: A legal right in Spanish property law granting the use and enjoyment of a property owned by someone else, commonly used in inheritance planning.

V2 terms

Variable rate mortgageFinancial: A mortgage where interest fluctuates based on a benchmark (Euribor in Spain, EIBOR in Dubai) plus a fixed margin.
Voorkoming dubbele belastingDutch Tax: Double taxation relief. The Netherlands-Spain treaty assigns property taxation to Spain and grants relief in the Dutch Box 3 assessment.

W3 terms

Withholding taxFinancial: A tax deducted at source. In Spanish sales by non-residents, 3% of the price is withheld by the buyer and paid to the tax authority as an advance on capital gains tax.
WwftCompliance: Wet ter voorkoming van witwassen en financieren van terrorisme. Dutch Anti-Money Laundering law that requires financial service providers to verify customer identities and report suspicious transactions.
Wwft (Wet ter voorkoming van witwassen en financieren van terrorisme)Compliance: The Dutch Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act. Requires designated businesses, including real estate mediators like Zaminor, to verify client identity, assess risk, monitor transactions, and report suspicious activity to FIU-Nederland. CDD records must be retained for 5 years.

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