Spanish words. Plain English.
Expat Words
Heard a word in one of our social videos? Find its meaning here, then explore the practical steps behind it.
Browse 60 words across six everyday topics. Every word opens a guide with an explanation, practical next steps and official sources. New to Spanish paperwork? Start with NIE, TIE and empadronamiento.
60 of 60 words shown
Residency & immigration
NIE
your foreigner identification number.
Understand NIE and the next steps →Residency & immigration
TIE
the foreigner identity card.
Understand TIE and the next steps →Residency & immigration
Padrón
the municipal register of residents.
Understand Padrón and the next steps →Residency & immigration
Empadronamiento
registering on the padrón.
Understand Empadronamiento and the next steps →Residency & immigration
Certificado de empadronamiento
a certificate of municipal registration.
Understand Certificado de empadronamiento and the next steps →Residency & immigration
CUE
the EU citizen registration certificate.
Understand CUE and the next steps →Residency & immigration
Visado
a visa.
Understand Visado and the next steps →Residency & immigration
Autorización de residencia
permission to reside.
Understand Autorización de residencia and the next steps →Residency & immigration
Renovación
renewal.
Understand Renovación and the next steps →Residency & immigration
Extranjería
immigration administration.
Understand Extranjería and the next steps →Healthcare
Centro de salud
a local health centre.
Understand Centro de salud and the next steps →Healthcare
Médico de cabecera
your usual primary-care doctor.
Understand Médico de cabecera and the next steps →Healthcare
Tarjeta sanitaria
a healthcare card.
Understand Tarjeta sanitaria and the next steps →Healthcare
Receta
a prescription.
Understand Receta and the next steps →Healthcare
Receta electrónica
an electronic prescription.
Understand Receta electrónica and the next steps →Healthcare
Farmacia de guardia
a pharmacy providing duty cover.
Understand Farmacia de guardia and the next steps →Healthcare
Urgencias
urgent or emergency care.
Understand Urgencias and the next steps →Healthcare
Derivación
a referral.
Understand Derivación and the next steps →Healthcare
Informe médico
a medical report.
Understand Informe médico and the next steps →Healthcare
Copago
a contribution towards a covered cost.
Understand Copago and the next steps →Money & tax
Hacienda
the tax authorities, in everyday usage.
Understand Hacienda and the next steps →Money & tax
Agencia Tributaria
Spain’s national tax agency.
Understand Agencia Tributaria and the next steps →Money & tax
Residencia fiscal
tax residence.
Understand Residencia fiscal and the next steps →Money & tax
Declaración de la renta
an income-tax return.
Understand Declaración de la renta and the next steps →Money & tax
IRPF
personal income tax.
Understand IRPF and the next steps →Money & tax
IVA
value-added tax.
Understand IVA and the next steps →Money & tax
IGIC
the Canary Islands’ general indirect tax.
Understand IGIC and the next steps →Money & tax
Domiciliación bancaria
payment by direct debit.
Understand Domiciliación bancaria and the next steps →Money & tax
Justificante de pago
proof of payment.
Understand Justificante de pago and the next steps →Money & tax
Retención
an amount withheld, often for tax.
Understand Retención and the next steps →Property & home
Alquiler
renting or rent.
Understand Alquiler and the next steps →Property & home
Arrendador
the landlord.
Understand Arrendador and the next steps →Property & home
Arrendatario
the tenant.
Understand Arrendatario and the next steps →Property & home
Fianza
a deposit or security.
Understand Fianza and the next steps →Property & home
Comunidad de propietarios
the community of property owners.
Understand Comunidad de propietarios and the next steps →Property & home
Derrama
an additional community contribution.
Understand Derrama and the next steps →Property & home
IBI
a municipal property tax.
Understand IBI and the next steps →Property & home
Escritura pública
a public deed.
Understand Escritura pública and the next steps →Property & home
Nota simple
an informative Land Registry extract.
Understand Nota simple and the next steps →Property & home
Catastro
the property register used for cadastral information.
Understand Catastro and the next steps →Driving & transport
DGT
Spain’s traffic authority.
Understand DGT and the next steps →Driving & transport
ITV
the vehicle roadworthiness inspection.
Understand ITV and the next steps →Driving & transport
Permiso de conducir
a driving licence.
Understand Permiso de conducir and the next steps →Driving & transport
Permiso de circulación
a vehicle registration document.
Understand Permiso de circulación and the next steps →Driving & transport
Ficha técnica
a vehicle’s technical document.
Understand Ficha técnica and the next steps →Driving & transport
Canje
an exchange, such as a driving-licence exchange.
Understand Canje and the next steps →Driving & transport
Matriculación
vehicle registration.
Understand Matriculación and the next steps →Driving & transport
IVTM
a municipal vehicle tax.
Understand IVTM and the next steps →Driving & transport
Multa
a fine.
Understand Multa and the next steps →Driving & transport
Zona de bajas emisiones
a low-emission zone.
Understand Zona de bajas emisiones and the next steps →Everyday admin
Cita previa
an appointment booked in advance.
Understand Cita previa and the next steps →Everyday admin
Cl@ve
a system for identifying yourself to public services online.
Understand Cl@ve and the next steps →Everyday admin
Certificado digital
a digital certificate.
Understand Certificado digital and the next steps →Everyday admin
Sede electrónica
an official online administrative portal.
Understand Sede electrónica and the next steps →Everyday admin
Solicitud
an application or request.
Understand Solicitud and the next steps →Everyday admin
Tasa
an administrative fee.
Understand Tasa and the next steps →Everyday admin
Plazo
a time limit or deadline.
Understand Plazo and the next steps →Everyday admin
Requerimiento
a formal request or demand.
Understand Requerimiento and the next steps →Everyday admin
Subsanación
correcting or completing an application.
Understand Subsanación and the next steps →Everyday admin
Recurso
an appeal or challenge.
Understand Recurso and the next steps →