A guide to long-term and short-term apartment rentals in Spain: searching for properties, checking the owner's documents, deposit (fianza), and tenant rights protection.
The main websites for finding real estate in Spain are Idealista, Fotocasa, and Habitaclia. You can also find many options from owners on the ILS noticeboard.
The rental process in large cities (Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia) is highly dynamic — good options are gone within hours.
For an owner to agree to rent you an apartment, you will need to prove your financial solvency: a Spanish employment contract (contrato de trabajo), the last 3 payslips (nóminas), or a bank statement with sufficient funds.
According to the Urban Leases Act (LAU), the mandatory deposit for long-term housing rental is 1 month. The owner is obliged to deposit this fianza into the official depository of the autonomous community (e.g., Incasòl in Catalonia).
In addition to the fianza, agencies and owners may ask for additional guarantees (garantía adicional) of up to 2 months' rent.
Browse verified rentals, rooms, and real estate services with legal contract review.
ILS Legal & Expat Editorial
Specialized guides and verified legal updates crafted by immigration, tax, and relocation experts in Spain.