<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001193125-06-200385
<TYPE>8-K
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>2
<PERIOD>20060929
<ITEMS>9.01
<FILING-DATE>20060929
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20060929
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>NATIONAL RETAIL PROPERTIES, INC.
<CIK>0000751364
<ASSIGNED-SIC>6798
<IRS-NUMBER>561431377
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>MD
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</COMPANY-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>8-K
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>001-11290
<FILM-NUMBER>061118311
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>450 S ORANGE AVE
<STREET2>SUITE 900
<CITY>ORLANDO
<STATE>FL
<ZIP>32801
<PHONE>4074237348
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>455 S ORANGE AVE STE 700
<STREET2>400 E SOUTH ST STE 500
<CITY>ORLANDO
<STATE>FL
<ZIP>32801
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
<FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>COMMERCIAL NET LEASE REALTY INC
<DATE-CHANGED>19930510
</FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>CNL REALTY INVESTORS INC /DE/
<DATE-CHANGED>19930429
</FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>CNL REALTY INVESTORS INC
<DATE-CHANGED>19920831
</FORMER-COMPANY>
</FILER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d8k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">

<HR SIZE="3" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"> <P STYLE="margin-top:3px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>UNITED STATES </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="3"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><HR WIDTH="17%" SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="5"><B>FORM 8-K </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><HR WIDTH="17%" SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>CURRENT REPORT </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="3"><B>The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September&nbsp;29, 2006 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><HR WIDTH="17%" SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="6"><B>NATIONAL RETAIL PROPERTIES, INC. </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="1"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><HR WIDTH="17%" SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="34%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Maryland</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>001-11290</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>56-1431377</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(State or other jurisdiction</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>of incorporation)</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Commission File Number)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(IRS Employer</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="1"><B>Identification No.)</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="50%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>450 South Orange Avenue</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Suite 900</B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Orlando, Florida</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>32801</B></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Address of principal executive offices)</B></FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Zip Code)</B></FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code (407)&nbsp;265-7348 </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Not applicable </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>(Former name or
former address, if changed since last report.) </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><HR WIDTH="17%" SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&#168;</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&#168;</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&#168;</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT><FONT FACE="WINGDINGS" SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000">&#168;</FONT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><HR SIZE="3" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left">

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits. </B></FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(d)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Exhibits. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The exhibits listed in the following index
relate to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-132095) of the Company and are filed herewith for incorporation by reference into such Registration Statement. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="84%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="95%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">5.1</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Opinion of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP as to the legality of the securities being issued by the registrant</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">23.1</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Consent of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP to the filing of Exhibit 5.1 herewith (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>SIGNATURES </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="12%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="87%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">NATIONAL RETAIL PROPERTIES, INC.</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ Kevin B. Habicht</FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Name:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Kevin B. Habicht</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Title:</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Executive Vice President and</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Chief Financial Officer</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Dated: September&nbsp;29, 2006 </FONT></P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">EXHIBIT INDEX </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" ALIGN="center">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="7%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="2%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="91%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"> <P STYLE="margin-right:0px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px;border-bottom:1px solid #000000"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Exhibit&nbsp;No.</B></FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="border-bottom:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="1"><B>Description</B></FONT></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">5.1</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Opinion of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP as to the legality of the securities being issued by the registrant</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-left:1.00em; text-indent:-1.00em"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">23.1</FONT></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Consent of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP to the filing of Exhibit 5.1 herewith (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-5.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>dex51.htm
<DESCRIPTION>OPINION OF PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN LLP
<TEXT>
<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Opinion of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="right"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>EXHIBIT 5.1 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="center"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">September 29, 2006 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">National Retail Properties, Inc. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">450 South Orange Avenue </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Suite 900 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2">Orlando, Florida 32801 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Ladies and Gentlemen: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2">We have acted as counsel to National Retail Properties, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the &#147;Company&#148;), in connection with the registration statement on Form S-3 (No.&nbsp;333-132095) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the&nbsp;&#148;Commission&#148;) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the &#147;Act&#148;), on February&nbsp;28, 2006 (the &#147;Registration Statement&#148;). Pursuant to the Registration Statement, the&nbsp;Company proposes to issue and
sell $22,500,000 aggregate principal amount of its 3.95% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the &#147;Notes&#148;) and the shares (the &#147;Shares&#148;) of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, issuable upon conversion of the Notes to the
public in accordance with the terms set forth in the prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2006 (the &#147;Prospectus Supplement&#148;) to the prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">For purposes of giving the opinions hereinafter set forth, our examination of documents has been limited to examination of copies of the following (each,
a &#147;Document,&#148; and collectively, the &#147;Documents&#148;) : </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(i)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">the First Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company as certified by the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation on August 31, 2006, and as
certified by the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer of the Company as of the date hereof; </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(ii)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">the Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended, of the Company as certified by the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer of the
Company as of the date hereof; </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(iii)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">the Indenture dated March 25, 1998; </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(iv)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">the Seventh Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 13, 2006; </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(v)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">the Form of 3.95% Convertible Senior Note due 2026; </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(vi)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">the Registration Statement; </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(vii)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">the Prospectus Supplement; </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(viii)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company with respect to the offering of the Notes adopted at a meeting of the Board on August 17, 2006 and resolutions of the Pricing
Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company adopted by unanimous written consent on September 7, 2006; and </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(ix)</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">the Officer&#146;s Certificate of the Company. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Based
upon the foregoing and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations, and exceptions set forth below, we are of the opinion that: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2">1. The Indenture entered into by the Company and U.S. Bank National Association (successor trustee to Wachovia Bank, National Association, which succeeded First Union National Bank) (the &#147;Indenture&#148;) and represents a valid and
legally binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be subject to (a)&nbsp;bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, moratorium or
similar laws affecting creditors&#146; rights generally, (b)&nbsp;general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (c)&nbsp;the enforceability of forum selection clauses
in federal courts. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2. The Seventh Supplemental Indenture entered into by the Company and U.S. Bank National Association (the
&#147;Supplemental Indenture&#148;), represents a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be subject to (a)&nbsp;bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors&#146; rights generally, (b)&nbsp;general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at
law) and (c)&nbsp;the enforceability of forum selection clauses in federal courts. </FONT></P>

<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" COLOR="#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">

 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">National Retail Properties, Inc. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2">September 29, 2006 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Page 2 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3. When
issued, authenticated and delivered pursuant to the Indenture and the Supplemental Indenture, the Notes will represent valid and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms,
except as such enforceability may be subject to (a)&nbsp;bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors&#146; rights generally, (b)&nbsp;general principles of equity
(regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (c)&nbsp;the enforceability of forum selection clauses in federal courts. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">4. When issued upon conversion of the Notes, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">For purposes of this opinion, we have not reviewed any documents other than the Documents. In particular, we have not reviewed any document (other than
the Documents) that is referred to in or incorporated by reference into any Document reviewed by us. We have assumed that there exists no provision in any document that we have not reviewed that is inconsistent with the opinions stated herein.
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">In connection with this opinion, we have considered such matters of law and fact as we, in our professional judgment, have deemed
necessary or appropriate to render the opinions contained herein. In rendering this opinion letter, we have assumed without independent investigation: (i) that each entity (other than the Company) that is a party to any Document is, and has been at
all times relevant to this opinion, duly formed or organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which each is formed or organized; (ii) the due authorization, execution and delivery of each Document by each
of the parties thereto (other than the Company); (iii) the completeness of all Documents; (iv) the genuineness of all signatures; (v) the legal capacity of all individuals who have executed any of the Documents; (vi) the authenticity of all
Documents submitted to us as originals; (vii) the conformity to the original documents of all Documents submitted to us as certified, photostatic, reproduced, facsimile or conformed copies of valid existing agreements; (viii) the authenticity of all
such latter Documents; and (ix) that the statements regarding matters of fact in any of the Documents that we have examined are accurate and complete. We have further assumed that there are no oral or written modifications or amendments to any of
the Documents, and that the executed versions of the Documents are identical to any unexecuted forms or versions that we may have reviewed. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2">Our opinions expressed above are limited in all respects and for all purposes to the laws of the State of Maryland (excluding the securities laws and blue sky laws of the State of Maryland), and we express no opinion on the laws of any
other jurisdiction, including federal laws and rules and regulations relating thereto. Our opinions are rendered only with respect to Maryland laws and rules, regulations and orders thereunder that are currently in effect. In rendering the opinions
set forth herein, we express no opinion concerning (i) the creation, attachment, perfection or priority of any security interest, lien or other encumbrance, or (ii) the nature or validity of title to any property. The opinions set forth in this
letter are limited to the matters and the transaction expressly addressed herein and no opinion is to be implied or may be inferred beyond the opinions expressly stated in this letter. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">We express no opinion as to the enforceability of any provisions contained in the Indenture, the Supplemental Indenture or the Notes that constitute
waivers that are prohibited by law prior to default. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the use of our name in the Prospectus Supplement under the caption &#147;Legal Matters.&#148; The giving of this consent, however, does not constitute an admission that we are &#147;experts&#148; within the meaning of
Section&nbsp;11 of the Act, or within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section&nbsp;7 of the Act. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0">

<TR>
<TD WIDTH="100%"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Very truly yours,</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">/s/ Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:1px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">PILLSBURY
WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN LLP</FONT></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV>
</BODY></HTML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
