Long-term contracts (vivienda habitual)
- Contracts run for five years (seven if the landlord is a company), even if the contract says one year: the tenant can renew year by year up to that limit.
- The tenant can leave after six months with 30 days’ notice (the contract may set a small penalty).
- Annual rent rises are limited by law; check your contract and the current cap.
Money up front
- Fianza (deposit): one month’s rent by law for housing.
- Extra guarantee: landlords can ask for up to two more months.
- Agency fees: since the 2023 Housing Law, agency fees in residential rentals must be paid by the landlord.
Seasonal contracts
Temporary contracts (alquiler de temporada) are for stays under a year for work or study. They have fewer protections, and some landlords have used them to avoid long-term rules. Several regions now restrict them.
Rent caps
Regions can declare “stressed areas” (zonas tensionadas) where rents are capped. Catalonia applies caps in many towns, including Barcelona.
What landlords ask for
Passport and NIE, proof of income (payslips, contract, tax return or bank statements), and sometimes a Spanish guarantor or rent-default insurance.
Avoiding scams
- Never send money before seeing the flat in person or by live video with the owner.
- Be wary of below-market rents and owners who are “abroad”.
- Check the owner’s identity against the land registry (nota simple) if in doubt.
After you sign
Register on the padrón, set up utilities, and ask the landlord to lodge the deposit with the regional body if required where you live.
