Spanish office words from Spain, explained
The words you see in official letters in Spain, in plain English.
- Alegaciones
- Your written arguments and proof, sent before the office makes its final decision.
- Aplazamiento
- Permission to pay later.
- Apremio
- Enforced collection. You didn’t pay in time, so a surcharge is added.
- Autónomo
- Self-employed person. Autónomos pay a monthly Social Security fee (cuota) based on their income.
- Burofax
- A letter sent with proof of content and delivery. It is often the step before a court case.
- Carta de pago
- Payment form. Take it to a bank or use its number to pay online.
- Certificado digital
- A digital ID on your computer or phone. You use it to sign in and sign documents online.
- Cita previa
- An appointment you book in advance. Many offices won’t see you without one.
- Cl@ve
- The government’s login system. You sign in with a PIN, a permanent password or the Cl@ve app.
- Cobro indebido
- Money you got but weren’t entitled to. They will ask for it back.
- CSV
- Secure verification code. You can use it online to check that a document is genuine.
- Cuota
- A set amount to pay, for example the monthly Social Security fee. In tax letters it means the tax amount.
- Denuncia
- In traffic letters, the report of an offence that starts a fine. It can also mean a police report.
- Desistimiento
- Your application is treated as withdrawn, for example because you didn’t send missing papers in time.
- Días hábiles
- Working days. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays don’t count.
- Días naturales
- Calendar days. Every day counts, including weekends.
- DNI
- Spanish national identity card and number. Only Spanish citizens have one.
- Domiciliación
- Direct debit. The money is taken from your bank account automatically.
- Embargo
- Seizure of money or property to pay a debt, for example from your bank account or wages.
- Empadronamiento
- Registering your address at the town hall. You need it for healthcare, school and many permits.
- Fianza
- Rental deposit. For a home it is one month’s rent.
- Fraccionamiento
- Permission to pay in instalments.
- Hacienda
- Everyday name for the tax office (Agencia Tributaria).
- IBI
- Yearly property tax, paid to the town hall by the owner.
- IRPF
- Personal income tax. The yearly tax return (declaración de la renta) is usually filed from April to June.
- IVA
- Value-added tax (VAT). The standard rate is 21%.
- Justicia gratuita
- Free legal aid for people with a low income.
- Liquidación
- Calculation of an amount you must pay, often a tax assessment.
- Modelo
- A numbered tax form, for example modelo 100 (income tax) or modelo 303 (VAT).
- Multa
- Fine.
- NIE
- Foreigner’s identity number. It starts with X, Y or Z and is also your tax number (NIF).
- NIF
- Tax identity number. For foreigners it is the same as the NIE.
- Notificación
- Official delivery of a letter. Most deadlines start the day after.
- Padrón
- The town hall’s list of residents. A certificado de empadronamiento proves where you live.
- Plazo
- Deadline or time limit.
- Plusvalía
- Town hall tax when a property is sold, given away or inherited.
- Prestación
- Benefit — money from the state, for example unemployment benefit.
- Propuesta de liquidación
- A draft tax assessment. It isn’t final — you can reply with alegaciones first.
- Recargo
- Surcharge. Extra money added because you paid late.
- Reclamación económico-administrativa
- Appeal against a tax decision to a special tax tribunal (TEA). Usually within one month.
- Reclamación previa
- A first complaint to the office, for example Social Security, that you must file before you can go to court.
- Recurso de alzada
- Appeal to a higher office. Usually within one month.
- Recurso de reposición
- Appeal to the same office that made the decision. Usually within one month.
- Requerimiento
- Formal request to send documents, give information or pay.
- Resolución
- Official decision.
- Sanción
- Penalty, often a fine.
- Sede electrónica
- An office’s official website for online forms, payments and letters.
- SEPE
- The state employment service. It pays unemployment benefit.
- Subsidio
- A smaller benefit, for example after your unemployment benefit has ended.
- TIE
- Foreigner’s identity card with your photo. It proves your residence permit.