If you’re moving to Spain, one of the first things that will come to your mind is “How do I find a place to live?”. As an incoming Expat, it can be quite stressful to find the perfect place, so in this blog we will share everything you need to know about renting an apartment in Spain as an Expat.
The very first thing you will need to be able to rent an apartment in Spain, is demonstrate you have the right to live in the country. So if you’re a EU-citizen, your ID will be enough, but if you’re a passport holder from a country outside of the European Union (EU), you will need a valid visa - or equivalent documentation proving you have the right to reside in Spain. Spanish Landlords will ask you for:
It’s also normal for Spanish Landlords to ask proof that you hold a Spanish Bank Account and have sufficient funds, although nowadays that’s less common, as Expats tend to have digital Bank Accounts (like Revolut). These allow you to transact in Euros while in Spain, irrespective of where you’re from.
Here are the 6 steps we recommend you to take when searching for your apartment in Spain as an Expat:
1) Find a short term rental in the city you want to live in
While most people look for a long term rental before they even arrive in Spain, this can be a big mistake. You don’t yet know the area, the reputation, the traffic, proximity to amenities and many other things that may influence your decision. Our recommendation is to look for a short term flat (via Homelike or HousingAnywhere) for the first 3 months or so, so you get familiarised with the areas and options before committing to a flat long term.
2) Get your Documentation together ready to make a Rental Application
When you want to rent a flat for the long term, the landlord (or Estate Agent) will ask you for a number of documents (which you can find in the above section). Try to have these ready to make the process as smooth as possible, because you will most likely be competing for the same property with other interested people.
3) Start searching for long term rentals
Give it a month or two and then start looking for apartments to rent for the long-haul. At this point you will know what area is your preferred, and factors like traffic, noise, proximity to work that may impact your decision. The most famous website in Spain for finding a flat to rent is idealista.
4) Get in touch with the listing agent / Landlord to see the property
Once you find an apartment you want, reach out via the contact details provided on the listing. People tend to be more responsive via phone, so make sure to have a local phone number so you can make calls; although contact forms and email can also work. Ask to book a viewing to go see the property - Never pay anything upfront or commit to signing a rental contract before seeing it in person.
5) Make a rental application, and if approved, sign the contract
So you found a house you liked, you saw it in-person, and it all checks out - great! The Landlord will at this point ask you for a number of documents such as your NIE (among others), and one month worth of rent for a refundable security deposit. If they work with an estate agent, additional fees may apply. At this point, if both parties are happy, you will sign a rental agreement and establish a move-in date.
6) When moving in, take pictures of the property
It’s advisable to take pictures of any damages you may find at the time of moving in. This will be helpful when you move out as the landlord may claim you did the damage and remove a certain amount of your deposit to fix it. Some people will be honest, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.