Renting a Property in Spain - A Guide After Immigrating

Immigrating to Spain implies completing various steps, among which finding housing once the visa has been obtained, searching for a property to move to should be next. However, a foreign citizen seeking to move to Spain can also start looking for a property before the formalities of obtaining the necessary visa are begun. From this point of view, searching for a property to rent in Spain would be ideal.
Below, our immigration lawyers in Spain have compiled a short guide on renting a property in this country. If you need legal support in immigration to Spain, our lawyers are at your disposal with complete support.

Why rent a property when immigrating to Spain?

Foreign citizens moving to Spain have two dwelling options: the purchase or rental of real estate. While the first option will enable foreigners to actually own properties in Spain, the second one is more suitable for those prospecting the market. However, there are several other reasons why one should consider renting a property in Spain before taking the step of buying one.
Those who don’t know the exact region where they want to live are advised to rent a property and see if it suits their living intentions and even lifestyle. Also, for those interested in not spending all their savings, rental is the best option when moving to Spain.
Also, when renting a property in Spain as a foreign citizen, it is also good to know that there are several legal aspects to consider. From this point of view, you can rely on our immigration lawyers in Spain. They will also explain the procedure of obtaining a residence permit in Spain.

After 10 years of residing in Spain as a non-EU citizen, you can apply for nationality and become a Spanish citizen. The largest drawback of using this method to gain long-term residency is generally having to give up your original nationality (nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal and France are exempt). You can rely on our lawyers for more information on the requirements associated with citizenship in Spain.

EU nationals who relocate to Spain to work remotely do not require visas because Spain is an EU member. However, non-EU nationals must fulfill certain standards, such as to participate in the Spanish nomad visa scheme. Our local immigration attorneys can help you apply and can explain its conditions in detail.

How to find a property for rent in Spain

Immigrating to Spain implies taking a huge step and a complete change in one’s life, especially when coming from outside Europe, such as theUSA. This is why it is best to start searching for a property for rent before the actual move. There are several ways of looking for a property for rent in Spain, among these newspapers and local real estate agencies being the most popular. Also, when choosing to work with a real estate agency, foreign persons are safer when choosing the property to rent.
If you are looking to emigrate to Spain, our lawyers can guide you through the entire procedure which implies choosing the right type of visa, preparing the necessary documents and filing them with the appropriate authorities. Our immigration lawyers can help you obtain any type of visa you need, such as entrepreneur or digital nomad visas. The Spanish golden visa was abolished on 3 April 2025.

Real estate rental legislation in Spain

Those who have decided to immigrate to Spain and rent a property should know that they will benefit from protection under the legislation which secures the relation between tenant and landlord. According to the Spanish legislation:

renting a property in Spain implies signing a contract with the landlord which can be a short or long-term agreement;
based on the duration of the stay, the rights of the tenant are more extensive (the longer the rental period, the more extensive the rights of the tenant);
the landlord has the obligation of registering the tenants with the Spanish authorities;
the landlord cannot enter the property without the written consent of the tenant;
the tenant is required to submit proof of his/her residence in Spain and of being able to support the rental costs.

In most cases, rental agreements are signed for 6 to 12 months and are considered short-term contracts, while long-term contracts are signed for a period starting with 12 months. It is also useful to know that one can negotiate the rent, however, the rent can only be updated once a year if the contract provides for it, within the legal limits (the IRAV reference index since 2025). It is also possible for long-term rentals for the tenant to extend the contract annually up to 5 years (7 if the landlord is a company), plus a tacit extension of up to 3 years, for those looking for a stable place to stay.
Another aspect to consider when renting a property in Spain is that the tenant will be required to provide personal information to the landlord who, in some cases, must register the tenants with the National Police in Spain.
Spain is a very safe country to emigrate to and it is also a safe place to rent a property in. This is why, if you need support in Spain immigration, you can rely on our lawyers.
The purchase of a property, on the other hand, no longer leads to a residence permit, as the golden visa was abolished on 3 April 2025.

Find a property before moving to Spain

If you have already decided to migrate to Spain, finding a place to stay is definitely on your to-do list. Here are a few tips on finding rental in Spanish cities:

carefully plan your budget and include the rent plus the utility bills;
based on your budget, just like everywhere else in the world some cities are more expensive, while others are cheaper;
if you relocate for work, you can choose the outskirts of the city – rent is usually lower there;
you can also look into suburban areas near cities or towns, as these are quite developed, plus, you will have a magnificent view.

Even if Barcelona and Madrid are usually preferred by most foreigners, you should also know that they are full of tourists almost the entire year which has led to high rents.
Another tip in this guide on renting a property in Spain is to select two or three apartments or houses in order to make sure you have a second choice. You can also use the services of a real estate agent who can show you multiple properties and let you know the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Once you have rented the property, you should know that deposits are usually common in Spain. These can consist of one or two monthly rents paid in advance.
Please note that the golden visa was abolished on 3 April 2025; previously, applicants needed to buy the respective property which must also have a minimum value established by the government.
Our immigration lawyers in Spain are at your service with legal information on how to rent a property here and the documents you need to prepare, as there are some papers you will need to present with the authorities.

Documents required to rent a property in Spain as a foreigner

Here are the documents you need to prepare upon renting real estate in Spain:

proof of the ability to pay the rent (bank statement, employment contract, payslip);
the tax identification number (NIE);
the passport.

There are also situations in which some landlords can ask for references.
Our immigration lawyers in Spain can guide you through the procedure of obtaining the NIE number.

What are the most common types of rentals in Spain?

Spain is a beautiful country and apart from its landscapes, the architecture is one of its jewels. Here, the old and the new combine and offer a large variety of places you can live in.
Here are the most popular types of real estate among which you can also choose to live in when relocating to Spain:

apartments which are found in cities and towns alike;
townhouses which are semi-detached properties that you would share with at least another family;
villas which are suitable for large families;
rural houses are also an option if you have your own means of transportation.

The choice should be made based on the number of persons that will live in the respective place and, of course, the budget. Then, you can also consider the amenities and other aspects, such as closeness to work, schools, and hospitals, as well as other points of interest, however, the Spanish infrastructure is flawless so you don’t need to worry if you will live at the outskirts, for example.
You can rely on our immigration lawyer in Spain for more information on the Real Estate Law.

The main costs associated with property rentals in Spain

Apart from the rent, there are also other maintenance costs associated with renting a property in Spain. Among these, utilities (gas, electricity, water, internet and cable TV) along with small repairs will usually fall on the tenant. However, you should make sure the rental contract stipulates exactly what these costs are.
An important aspect of the Real Estate Law that you should consider when renting a property in Spain is that the rent must usually be paid by the 7^th day of the month. Otherwise, the landlord is entitled to claim the payment through special proceedings.
As a renter, you are entitled to terminate the contract after the first 6 months, with at least 30 days' notice.

The average rental price in Spain

When looking to rent a property in Spain, you should know that according to idealista, in August 2026, the average asking rent was about 15.1 euros per square metre per month. Per square meter (sqm), the average price varies widely, however, in cities like Barcelona, Bilbao, Palma de Mallorca, and Madrid the average exceeds 15 euros/sqm (about 23 in Madrid and 20 in Barcelona).
Among the most popular cities in which expats live are Bilbao, Valencia, Malaga, and Seville.
No matter if you decide to move to Spain and rent or buy a property, you can rely on our immigration lawyers for all the legal aspects of your relocation.

The real estate market in Spain

There are many large cities, such as Madrid and Barcelona, but also smaller ones in which one can rent a property. The real estate market in Spain is quite different from region to region, which is why when deciding to immigrate to Spain, it is best to first search for more options before deciding.
In Spain, in 2018 (older data; according to INE, house prices rose by 12.9% year-on-year in Q4 2025):

property prices increased by 8.7% in large cities like Barcelona and the capital;
in metropolitan areas, the increase was not that high, reaching 3.5%;
in towns, the average housing prices increased by nearly 2.9%;
the average price transaction decreased by 4.3% in the 3^rd quarter of the year in urban areas.

For legal assistance in renting a property when emigrating to Spain, please contact our lawyers. You can also rely on us when applying for a residence permit in Spain.