Living in Spain offers a colourful range of lifestyle benefits for expats. From abundant sunshine and vibrant culture to affordable living costs and excellent healthcare facilities. And now that remote working is more widely accepted, there’s never been a better time to dip your toe in the water and try your hand at ‘digital nomading.’ Currently, around 13% of residents in Spain are foreign nationals.
Finding a property to rent in Spain is a sensible option if you’re not planning to live in Spain for a long time or want to get a taste of the lifestyle before committing to a big property purchase.
Although Spain is an affordable option for many expats, renting property in Spain will likely take up a significant chunk of your monthly budget. The reason? Most residential properties in Spain are owner-occupied, so competition for renting a property is high, making it more expensive. For the most affordable rental options, consider living in central or southern Spain, or on the outskirts of a major town or city.
Andalucia, Malaga and Costa Del Sol
This enchanting and diverse region nestles between the Mediterranean and Atlantic. Andalucia is the birthplace of flamenco and home to seven Unesco World Heritage sites, such as the historic centre of Cordoba, the Donana Natural Park (Europe’s largest natural reserve), and the Caliphate City of Medina Azahara. You’ll also find many beautiful stretches of sandy coastline, breathtaking landscapes, bountiful cuisine and eclectic culture. And there’s plenty of property bargains to be had here too.
Valencia City is the third largest city in Spain, but is often overshadowed by its glitzy rivals tBarcelona, Madrid, San Sebastian and Seville. That means property prices are often lower, especially if you choose a property outside the city centre.
Located on the east coast of Spain, Valencia offers several sandy beaches, iconic architecture and a great foodie scene - after all, it is the birthplace of paella! With over 300 days of sunshine each year, you’re never far from your next sunset cocktail.
Valencia’s Old Town is easily walkable, and you’ll find all the main monuments nearby, including the bell tower, Mercado Central, cathedral, and La Lonja.
The average monthly property rental price is €785, and there is an expat population of 13% (according to Kyero data).
Living in Barcelona is more expensive than other cities in Spain. However, it’s still cheaper than major European cities like London, Amsterdam and Berlin.
This vibrant, cosmopolitan city is well known for its alternative arts, pioneering food scene, and extraordinary Gaudi architecture. Set on Spain’s east coast, it enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine during the summer months.
A popular tourist destination, you’ll always find places to go and things to do, from mountain hikes and beach frolics to buzzing nightlife and epic festivals
Rental costs are usually lower if you choose a property on the city's outskirts.
Catalan is the city’s first official language. However, around 22% of people living in Barcelona are expats, so there are many English and Spanish-speaking residents here.
For more destination inspiration, check out our 11 best destinations to live in Spain for digital nomads.
Finding a property to rent in Spain through an inmobiliarias (estate agent) offers more protection than private renting. However, it can be more expensive. If you speak Spanish, you might get a better price by communicating with the landlord directly.
Other options include social media, online property portals, and word of mouth. If you want to drive around a local area to see what properties are available for rent, look out for Se Alquila boards.
If you’re considering using an online property portal, it’s important to be mindful of scams and fraud. If a listing seems too good to be true, it probably is. Remember, you should never send money without having a written agreement in place first.
You can use the property registration website to check whether the person you intend to rent the property from is the property owner. This is a good way to check that the property isn’t being illegally sublet.
You’ll need to check out the condition of the property before agreeing to pay the deposit. You can arrange a property tour in person or ask the estate agent or owner to provide a live video tour. Photos can easily be filtered, touched up or faked, so viewing it live is the best way to check the actual state of the property.
If you visit the property in person, take photos of any damage you notice. Take a close look at the overall condition of the property, check for and take pictures of any existing damp or mould issues, and take photos of any damage to the furniture, appliances, windows and doors.
Rental properties in Spain usually fall into the following categories;
Spanish rental listings usually specify the size of the property in square metres and the monthly rental cost.
Listings typically state whether the property is furnished or not, but these descriptions vary between properties, so it’s crucial to find out the specific details of what’s included in the rental price. Always ask the landlord or agent to confirm this information in writing.
Energy performance certificates (EPC) are a legal requirement for all types of property to rent in Spain. You can use the EPC to determine how energy efficient the property will likely be.
After you’ve found a property to rent in Spain, you’ll need to pay a deposit. By law, this must be equivalent to one month’s rent. In some cases, landlords can ask for a higher deposit, but this all depends on your risk profile as a tenant.
The deposit must be paid to the property owner or estate agent. It’s wise to transfer the deposit monies electronically so you have a record of the payment.
Once the deposit has been paid, the Landlord and Tenant Law states that the landlord or agent must declare it to the appropriate administrative authority to ensure it is protected.
Some landlords will ask for a bank guarantee, a type of deposit paid by the bank. This is paid on behalf of the tenant and protects the landlord in the case of non-payment by the tenant. You might also be required to provide a written guarantee from your employer. This certificate guarantees that the employer will cover the rent if you stop paying it.
If you rent a property in Spain through an estate agent, the landlord usually pays administration fees. However, if you instruct an agent to search for a property on your behalf, you may need to pay for this service as a flat “finders fee” or a percentage of the monthly rent.
Property rental agreements in Spain can be written or verbal, but obtaining a written contract is always the safest option.
There are two types of rental agreement:
If a registered company owns the property, a long-term contract can be renewed for up to seven years.
If you want to move out of the property at the end of a long-term rental contract, you must provide at least two months’ written notice.
If your landlord wants to end a long-term rental agreement, they must give you four months’ notice. If they don’t, the tenancy is automatically extended on an annual basis, for a maximum period of three years.
If you want to end your long-term rental contract early, you’ll probably be required to pay rent to cover the full rental term you originally agreed to. The amount will vary depending on your contract, but it often amounts to one month’s rent for each year remaining on the agreed contract.
It’s important to read your contract carefully and check whether you will be liable to pay any additional fees. Tenants are usually liable to pay for utilities, including gas, electricity, water, waste collection and internet services.
You may also be required to pay for repairs to the property due to minor wear and tear, and annual or monthly service charges to cover the cost of maintaining communal areas.
Renter’s insurance is not a legal requirement, however it protects your personal property in case of damage or loss caused by fire or water. For extra peace of mind, you can add protection against theft and vandalism to your policy.
Rental agreements are highly regulated in Spain. They require a special licence, so don’t assume you can easily sublet rooms in your rental home.
Landlords can be held responsible for switching off utilities, changing the locks to a rental property or restricting the tenant’s use of the property in another way.
Landlords must maintain the property in a habitable condition. If they don’t, or they disturb you, you might decide to terminate your contract. Landlords cannot enter the property without written permission from the tenant.
Rent prices can be increased once per year, but tenants must be given at least one month’s notice in writing. The increase must not be above the current rate of inflation.
If the owner decides to put the property up for sale during the rental agreement, they must provide at least 30 days’ notice to the tenant before selling it.
In this scenario, the tenant will be allowed first refusal and withdrawal as long as the property isn’t being sold as part of a bigger property. If you’re not interested in buying the property, the rental agreement will be transferred to the new owner until it ends.
Tenants in Spain can make minor improvements to the accommodation, such as painting the walls or putting up shelves. However, if you want to do this, you must first obtain written permission from the owner. If you don’t get approval, you’ll need to make sure the property is put back to its original condition at the end of the tenancy agreement.
If you want to end your tenancy agreement early, you must give 30 days’ notice. You must also pay one month’s rent for each year left to run on the contract.
If you don’t pay your rent or deposit, or you sublet the property without the landlord’s permission, your contract could be terminated early. If you cause damage to the property, make excessive noise or break the law on the property, you could be evicted.
If you’re searching for a property to rent in Spain, it’s important to understand your rights.
One of the key things to be aware of is the Ley por el Derecho a la Vivienda (Right to Housing Law). This law was passed in 2021, and was introduced to help improve the rental housing market.
The new law enables regional governments to apply rent caps in areas where the market is particularly competitive. It also imposes penalties on owners of rental properties that leave more than one rental unit unrented for long periods.
If you’re having problems paying your monthly rent in Spain, speak to the local housing authorities. You might be able to claim payment assistance or a subsidy.
Under the age of 35? Spain’s Advisory Council on Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda offers the Young Rental Voucher to renters aged between 18 and 35 who earn less than €23,725 per annum. If eligible, you could claim per month towards housing rental costs for up to two years.
Coming to the end of your tenancy agreement? Don’t forget to ask for a property inspection. This will help you identify anything you might need to do before moving out to ensure your full deposit is returned.
Now that you’re up to speed on how to rent a property in Spain, fancy searching for your dream rental property?
Next up:
Calling all digital nomads! Discover the best destinations to live in Spain for remote workers, from buzzing cities, to vibrant beach resorts and historic villages
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