Cadastral map: everything you need to know

The cadastral map is one of the most important real estate documents, due to the large amount of important data it contains.

What’s more, it’s a public document, so anyone can access it to obtain the information it holds on land and real estate in Spain.

However, not everyone knows what it is, how useful it is and what it entails. So, this article has all the information you need to know about this document.

What is the cadastral map of a house?

The cadastral map of a house is a key document that is part of the Land Registry in Spain. This detailed map shows the geographical location of a property, whether it is a house, plot of land or real estate,  showing its boundaries, dimensions and other relevant data.

It’s a key tool for the Land Registry to maintain an accurate and up-to-date control of all properties in the country. Every building has a unique cadastral reference that differentiates it from others, allowing it to be uniquely identified when viewing the cadastral map.

What is a cadastral map used for?

This document has a number of key functions. Firstly, the cadastral map provides a graphical and numerical representation of the location and boundaries of a property, which is of utmost importance when it comes to keeping track of the country’s real estate.

What’s more, the cadastral map is used to calculate a property’s cadastral value, which is of utmost importance to collect taxes such as Local Property Tax (IBI) and other property-related taxes. In other words, cadastral mapping is a tool used to guarantee transparency and properly manage properties all over Spain.

How to consult the cadastral reference of a property on the cadastral map?

There are a number of ways to consult the cadastral reference within the cadastral map. Firstly, you can access this information online through the electronic headquarters of the General Directorate for Cadastre.

In this case, you need to provide the address of the property in question. You can also obtain the cadastral reference number of your property by calling the Land Registry in your town/city or by calling into the office.

If you’re the property owner, you can find the cadastral reference in the Local Property Tax (IBI) receipt issued by your local council.

This reference is of utmost importance to carry out property-related enquiries, such as ascertaining its cadastral value or any other procedure that requires it.

What’s the link between the cadastral map and the Local Property Tax (IBI)?

The cadastral map and the Local Property Tax (IBI) are closely linked. The IBI is a local tax levied on real estate, and it’s calculated based on the property’s cadastral value.

Specifically, the cadastral value is determined by a valuation carried out by the Land Registry, calling on the property’s cadastral map as a key tool. A number of parameters are used such as the location of the property, its condition, whether it has communal areas, the construction date, the materials used and any renovations carried out.

The cadastral value is of utmost importance when it comes to calculating the amount of IBI that owners have to pay annually. Therefore, the cadastral map is of utmost importance when it comes to collecting this tax while ensuring that fair and proportional rates are applied to the value of each property.

How to request the cadastral map of a house?

Follow any of these steps to request the cadastral map of a house or piece of land:

Check online

The easiest way is to check it on the General Directorate of Cadastre website. There you can get property-related information including the property plan in the land registry and the cadastral reference.

Call into the Land Registry Office

If you’d prefer to go in person, you can call into your local Land Registry. The staff there will provide you with the cadastral map and answer any property-related questions you might have.

Phone call

You can also obtain the cadastral map by phone. If this is your preferred option, call your Land Registry. You’ll be assisted with the process of obtaining the cadastral map and other necessary data.

The telephone numbers for the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre are +34 902 37 36 35 – +34 91 387 45 50.

IBI Receipt

If you’re the property owner, the Local Property Tax (IBI) receipt issued by your local council contains relevant information, including the property’s cadastral reference, so this might be all you need.