Cadastral reference in Spain: definition and how to find it easily
When you buy property in Spain, you will soon hear about the cadastral reference (referencia catastral). This unique code identifies each property precisely and plays an important role in taxation and administrative procedures.
The good news: finding the cadastral reference for a property is often very simple.
In most cases, all you need to do is type into Google:
property address + “Idealista”
For example:
Calle Cura Planelles 16, Valencia, Idealista
You will usually come across a page like this:
https://www.idealista.com/maps/valencia-valencia/calle-cura-planelles/16/
On this page, the cadastral reference for each apartment in the building appears directly, for example:
9725406YJ2792F0003XU
This is often the fastest way to obtain this information.
What is the cadastral reference in Spain?
The cadastral reference is a unique 20-character alphanumeric code assigned to each property by the Spanish land registry (Catastro).
This code allows for precise identification of:
- an apartment
- a house
- a plot of land
- commercial premises
- a parking space
Even if several dwellings have the same address, each one has its own cadastral reference.
The cadastral reference can therefore be considered as the identity card of a property in Spain.
What is the purpose of the cadastral reference?
Identify a property
It allows a property to be uniquely identified in land registry databases. This is particularly useful in apartment buildings where several apartments are located at the same address.
Calculate property taxes
The cadastral reference is used to determine the cadastral value (valor catastral) of the property.
This value is used in particular to calculate several taxes:
- IBI (equivalent to property tax in Spain)
- imputed income tax for non-residents
- certain local taxes
Check the characteristics of a property
Using the cadastral reference, you can view the cadastral information for a property:
- cadastral area
- localization
- property type
- year of construction
- use of the property
Please note: cadastral reference and reference value are not the same thing.
Since January 1, 2022, a major tax reform has introduced a new concept: the cadastral reference value (valor de referencia).
This value is used as the minimum basis for calculating certain taxes, including:
- ITP (tax on the purchase of an older property)
- inheritance tax
- gift tax
The rule is simple:
The tax authorities use whichever is higher: the purchase price or the cadastral reference value.
For example:
- Purchase price: €270,000
- Cadastral reference value: €300,000
The buyer will pay ITP on €300,000, even if they paid less.
This reform may therefore increase the tax payable when purchasing real estate.
Where can I find the cadastral reference for a property?
1. On Idealista (the fastest method)
The cadastral reference often appears directly in the listings or building pages on Idealista.
It is usually sufficient to search for:
property address + idealista
2. On the property tax notice (IBI)
The cadastral reference appears on the IBI receipt.
3. On the title deed (Escritura)
When purchasing real estate, the cadastral reference is indicated in the notarial deed.
4. On the official land registry website
You can also search for the cadastral reference on the official website of the Spanish cadastre:
https://www.sedecatastro.gob.es
In summary
The cadastral reference in Spain is a unique identifier assigned to each property.
It allows you to:
- identify a specific property
- access cadastral information
- calculate certain property taxes
- secure a real estate transaction
Et dans de nombreux cas, le moyen le plus simple pour la trouver reste une recherche Google avec l’adresse du bien et Idealista.
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FAQ: Cadastral reference and property taxation in Spain
What is the cadastral reference in Spain?
The cadastral reference is a unique identifier assigned by the Spanish land registry to each property in order to identify it precisely in administrative databases.
Where can I find the cadastral reference for a property?
The cadastral reference can be found on several documents:
- on the property deed (escritura)
- on the Spanish property tax notice (IBI)
- on the official website of the Spanish Land Registry
- or on certain real estate portals such as Idealista
Is the cadastral reference mandatory when purchasing real estate?
Yes. When purchasing real estate in Spain, the cadastral reference is generally mentioned in the notarial deed and allows for the precise identification of the property to be verified.
Can you search for a property using its cadastral reference?
Yes. On the official website of the Spanish Land Registry (Catastro), it is possible to search for a property directly using its cadastral reference number.
Where can I find the cadastral reference value in Spain?
The reference value of a property can be found on the official website of the Spanish Land Registry.
The easiest way? Search directly for "sede electrónica catastro valor de referencia" to find the right page:
https://www1.sedecatastro.gob.es/Accesos/SECAccvr.aspx
Since 2022, this value has been used as the minimum basis for calculating certain property taxes such as ITP (tax on the purchase of an existing property), as well as taxes related to inheritance or gifts.
To view the reference value of a property, you must generally identify yourself with:
- a NIE number
- or a Spanish electronic certificate (certificado digital)
- or the Cl@ve digital identification system
Once on the land registry portal, the procedure is as follows:
- access the Electronic Land Registry
- click on the "Reference Value" section
- select the corresponding year (for example, "Reference values for the 2025 financial year")
- Then click on “Check Reference Value.”
You can then log in in two ways:
- with your NIE (easiest method)
- or with an electronic certificate/Cl@ve (mainly used by residents)
If you use the NIE, you will need to provide:
- your NIE number in the "DNI/NIE number" box
- your IXESP support number in the "Support number / IDESP / IXESP" box
The IXESP number corresponds to a code on your NIE document.
For example:
- On a paper NIE (A4 format), you will find a 7-digit code in the top right-hand corner.
- On a residence card, this code usually appears on the back.
The IXESP number is simply the combination of C0 followed by these 7 digits.
Example:
C01110677
Once you have entered the information, click on "Validate ID/Support."
If you are using an electronic certificate or Cl@ve, simply select the corresponding option.
The next page will then ask you:
- the purpose of the consultation (information, ITP, inheritance, or other)
- the estimated date of the property
- the property's cadastral reference
After validation, the system will display the tax reference value of the property. This value can be used by the administration to calculate certain taxes related to real estate transactions.
