Quick Overview
Renting your first apartment in Spain requires a deposit of 1-2 months rent plus first month payment upfront, signing a standard LAU rental contract (Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos) with minimum 1-year commitment. Landlords typically request proof of income (3x monthly rent), NIE/DNI, employment contract, and recent payslips. Register at the town hall (empadronamiento) within days of moving in for access to healthcare and other services. Rental contracts include an annual IPC inflation adjustment, and tenants have strong protections including mandatory 5-year stability period where landlords cannot terminate without cause. Monthly costs include rent plus community fees (€30-150), utilities (€80-150), and contents insurance (€10-20/month).
Key Facts
Upfront costs
3-4 months rent (deposit + first month + agency fee)
Minimum contract
1 year commitment, 5-year tenant stability right
Deposit
1-2 months rent (held in regional deposit scheme)
Income requirement
3x monthly rent in gross income typical
Monthly costs
Rent + €120-320 (utilities, community, insurance)
Registration
Empadronamiento (town hall) required for services
How It Works
First Apartment (Renting) in Spain
Spanish rental market operates under LAU (Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos) providing strong tenant protections. First-time renters typically pay 1-2 months deposit (fianza) held by the regional government's deposit protection scheme, first month's rent in advance, plus potential agency fee of 1 month rent if using an agent. Landlords verify affordability requiring gross income at least 3x monthly rent, demonstrated through recent payslips and employment contract. The rental contract (contrato de arrendamiento) establishes a minimum 1-year term but tenants have the right to remain up to 5 years (extended to 7 years for corporate landlords in 2019 reform) with landlords unable to terminate without justified cause during this period. Contracts include annual rent increases tied to IPC (inflation index). Upon moving in, complete empadronamiento at your town hall (Ayuntamiento) - this residence registration is essential for healthcare, voting, and many administrative procedures. Tenants pay utilities (electricity, water, gas totaling €80-150/month), community fees (comunidad) for shared building maintenance (€30-150/month), and should obtain contents insurance (€10-20/month). Spain's 2019 rental law reform shifted more costs to landlords including IBI property tax and increased tenant stability rights.
Search and selection
Search on property portals
Use main rental platforms.
Prepare rental documents
Gather documents landlords typically require.
Attend viewings
Visit properties in person.
Contract and payment
Review rental contract
Carefully read all terms.
Pay deposit (fianza)
Legal deposit held during tenancy.
Complete entry inventory
Document condition of property.
Setup and registration
Set up utilities
Transfer or set up electricity, water, gas.
Register at town hall
Mandatory residence registration.
Get contents insurance
Cover your belongings.
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