Thinking about renting in Spain? Whether you’re road-testing the expat lifestyle before buying, or simply fancy a year of sunshine without the long-term strings attached, renting can be the smartest way to get started. But be warned: the Spanish rental market isn’t as straightforward as you might hope. From deposits and contracts to landlords who pop round more often than you’d like, there are rules and quirks to know before you sign anything.
To help you avoid rookie errors, we spoke with Alex Radford, lawyer at My Lawyer in Spain. In the video below, Alex explains the essentials. Here, we’ve pulled out the key takeaways, plus some tips of our own to keep you one step ahead.
Scams exist, and sublets are more common than you think. Alex’s first piece of advice is blunt:
“You want to check that the person who's renting that property to you actually owns the property. I would ask to see a copy of the deeds or a land search.”
It’s also smart to request recent utility bills in the owner’s name. That way you can be sure your electricity and water connections are legit — and know what you’ll be on the hook for.
Some landlords will suggest you hand over a year’s rent in one go. Alex says that’s a bad idea:
“I would never recommend to a client that they pay the full rental upfront, because if anything went wrong with the property…it’s very difficult to get the landlord back to repair things, bearing in mind he's already had all his money.”
Instead, expect to pay:
A deposit (typically one month’s rent, though two is common in practice).
The first month’s rent.
That’s it. Anything else should set alarm bells ringing.
Rental contracts in Spain should be “decent…fair and balanced” (Alex’s words). Look for clauses that spell out:
Who pays the utilities (and whether the accounts will be transferred into your name).
Notice periods if you want to leave early.
How (and when) rent increases will be applied.
Alex told us:
“The last rental contract I looked at, each year, the rent increased by 3%, which the tenant accepted.”
That’s pretty typical.
Broadly, you’ll encounter two main types of contract:
Short-term (contrato de arrendamiento de temporada) — fixed for up to a year, usually non-renewable.
Long-term (arriendo de vivienda) — minimum one year, renewable up to five years if the landlord is an individual, or seven years if the landlord is a company.
Alex explains:
“If you go for a long-term contract, once you've been in there for a year, then that contract is extendable up to three or five years. You can stay a lot longer.”
If the property comes furnished, make sure there’s an inventory. Otherwise you could end up paying for pre-existing damage. And while renters’ insurance isn’t mandatory, Alex recommends it:
“As a tenant, I'd also recommend that you take out your own home and contents insurance.”
If you’re in an apartment complex, ask for a copy of the community rules. You don’t want to discover the pool closes at 8pm only after your first late-night swim.
Legally, deposits should be protected via the local housing authority — but Alex points out this rarely happens in practice:
“Generally speaking, a deposit would be paid to the landlord, and you would trust the landlord to return that at the end of the rental.”
Yes, it’s a bit old-school trust-based. To protect yourself, document everything when you move in: photos, videos, notes. Bureaucracy is slow, but your camera roll isn’t.
Spanish law says landlords must maintain the property in habitable condition. They can also visit, but only with notice:
“It’s normal for a landlord to visit the property…within notice of, say, 24 or 48 hours. I strongly recommend landlords do that every six months or a year.”
They can’t turn up unannounced, switch off your utilities, or change the locks. If they try, you have legal grounds to push back.
Spain’s Right to Housing Law (Ley por el Derecho a la Vivienda), introduced in 2021, is still shaping the rental market. It allows regional governments to cap rents in overheated areas and penalises landlords who leave properties empty. If you’re under 35 and earning below €23,725, you may also qualify for the Bono Alquiler Joven (Young Rental Voucher), which offers monthly help towards rent for up to two years.
Spain’s rental rules aren’t entirely uniform, each autonomous community has its own flavour of enforcement and regulation. Catalonia, for instance, has pushed rent-control measures further than most regions, introducing caps in high-demand zones. Andalusia, by contrast, has taken a lighter-touch approach, with fewer restrictions on landlords. Some regions also handle deposit registration differently; in Catalonia, deposits must be lodged with the regional housing body, while in other areas landlords simply hold the funds themselves. The lesson? Don’t assume the rules in Barcelona are the same as those in Málaga. Always double-check the local laws where you plan to rent.
Renting isn’t just about rent and deposits — the taxman gets involved too. Tenants won’t usually face direct taxes just for renting, but landlords certainly do. Rental income in Spain is taxable, whether the landlord is resident or non-resident. Non-resident landlords, for example, pay tax on gross rental income at a flat rate (though EU residents can deduct certain expenses). If you’re a tenant renting from abroad, it’s worth checking that your landlord is declaring the income correctly — not least because undeclared rentals can cause headaches if you ever need to prove your contract’s validity.
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.
Renting in Spain isn’t rocket science, but it’s not quite “sign here and done” either. Take Alex’s advice: check ownership, insist on a proper contract, never pay everything upfront, and get insurance. Do that, and you’ll give yourself the best chance of a smooth tenancy — and a happy landlord.
👉 Watch the full video with Alex Radford for more detail, and if you’re ready to start your property search, we’ve got thousands of Spanish rentals waiting for you.
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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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