SPAIN | Accommodation | General information

Living in suitable accommodation is important for your linguistic and professional experience.

Looking for a flat to rent is usually limited to two fundamental criteria: the area where you want to live and the price you are willing to pay. Once you have determined what you want, the search begins

Types of accommodation

Renting independent flats

There are different possibilities. The easiest is to request the services of an estate agency to help you find what you are looking for. These services will cost you usually equivalent to a month’s rent. Other options are consulting specialised magazines, estate agency advertisements in local newspapers, websites with information on flats for rent or simply “walk” the streets writing down telephone numbers. You can also go to the City Council and/or respective Autonomous Region.

Renting rooms in shared flats

By sharing a flat with other people, students or workers, Spanish or foreign, you will be able to make friends and to learn many things about other people, cultures and cities around the world. The friendships established will be very important to you throughout your life. In Spain, flats are usually fully furnished and come with a well-equipped kitchen and bath. You will have to bring your own sheets and towels.

The main characteristics are usually:

  • individual or twin room;
  • the kitchen and other common areas of the flat are shared;
  • housemates have to come to an agreement regarding shared housework amongst all;
  • take into account the following additional expenses when you choose to live in a flat:
  • expenses with gas, electricity and water are not usually included;
  • expenses with food and/or eating out.

Lodging with Spanish Families

Living with a Spanish family is the best way to get to know the country, its culture, and its people. It is also the most natural and fast way to practice Spanish. Daily contact with your host family will help you understand the customs and the local culture. In no time, you will begin to use common phrases and colloquial expressions. Besides, you will be able to enjoy a relaxed and friendly atmosphere that your host family offers you, with the independence of having your own house key.

 Finding accommodation

  • Look in estate agency magazines. It‘s the most suitable way to find accommodation for rent. It‘s the way owners and administrators advertise accommodation for rent.
  • Choose an area. Many times, walking through a certain area that you like may help you find a flat. Ask in shops, in porter’s lodges and look for signs in windows. Many owners prefer not to be bombarded by telephone calls and choose this way to rent out their accommodation. 
  • The most informal way is sometimes the one that works best: telling as many people as possible that you are looking to rent somewhere can help you extend your search to more areas, for example areas that you don’t have time to cover. Friends, acquaintances, colleagues or classmates can lead you to landlords or flats that will soon be vacant.
  • At the university: In most Spanish universities there is a notice board where flats and even shared accommodation are advertised. Apart from the internet, you can find university student service centres that will provide you with information on available flats and even advise you on and who you should speak to about your rights and obligations. 
  • Programmes for youths: As a result of the problems thousands of students or workers have finding accommodation when they move to a different city, the regional and local governments have a list of rental offers for young people. They are located in almost all medium and large university campuses and are registered at Youth Services or Institutes.  
  • Search the internet: Although new estate agency sites you may find on the web still don’t have a significant listing of housing for rent, they always have some flats with these characteristics available. Globaliza, Urbaniza or Idealista are some of the best-known sites, although you can also look for flats to rent through the websites of some the most important estate agencies.

 Specific Websites

Last Modification: 30.07.2024 - Contact Person: Webmaster