Erasmus accommodation in Spain 2026: the ultimate renting guide

Arriving in Spain for your Erasmus is an incredible experience, but facing the rental market for the first time in a new country can raise many doubts about contracts, costs, and areas.

At Fotocasa, we help you understand the whole process of renting a student flat in Spain in a simple way so that you can find your rental flat with complete peace of mind. In this ultimate guide, we analyze the types of student contracts, the mandatory financial requirements, and the cheapest and most expensive areas to rent a property in Spain.

How much does it really cost to rent a flat in Spain, and what documents might be required before you move in?

How to find rental flats in Spain as an Erasmus student?

The easiest and fastest way to find accommodation as an international student is to use real estate search portals like Fotocasa. On these types of platforms, you can filter your searches either to rent a whole flat with flatmates or to rent just a room in a shared flat, as well as discover and compare rental prices.

Tips for searching and choosing your Erasmus flat in Spain

To make your flat search in Spain a complete success, we advise you to follow this list of steps before making any decision:

1. Search in advance: start looking at options 2 to 3 months before your arrival to calmly compare what the market offers.
2. Choose the neighborhood carefully: research the distance from the flat to your faculty, the safety of the area, and whether it has good public transport connections.
3. Set your maximum budget: keep in mind that you will need to add utility payments such as electricity, water, and internet to the monthly rent price.
4. Compare prices per square meter: analyze average prices in the area using the Fotocasa Real Estate Index to identify opportunities and spot potential overcharges.
5. Ask for photos and ask questions: there are many old flats in Spain. Do not forget to ask basic questions such as whether the flat has an elevator, the condition of the property, if it has natural light, etc.

What are the types of student rental contracts in Spain in 2026?

In Spain, standard residential rental contracts have a legally required minimum duration of 5 years if the landlord is an individual (or 7 years if it is a company), renewable according to the Urban Leases Act (LAU). However, for Erasmus students, there are other specific types of shorter-term rental contracts that adapt to the academic stay:

1. Temporary housing rental contract (seasonal)

It is the perfect option if you are moving to Spain only for the months your school or university term lasts (for example, from 6 to 10 months).

• Duration: it lasts for the exact length of your academic stay (less than a year). When the contract end date arrives, you must hand over the keys.
• Who it is signed with: it can be managed directly with a private landlord or through a real estate agency.
• How it works: The Urban Leases Act (LAU) classifies it in Articles 3 and 4.3 as “use other than as a primary residence” and, in matters not provided for by law or agreed upon between the parties, it is governed supplementarily by the Civil Code. This means that the price, rules, and duration are freely agreed upon between the student and the landlord.

2. Room rental contract for students in Spain

It is used when you do not rent the entire flat, but only a bedroom in the house, having the right to share the use of the kitchen, living room, and bathroom with other students.

• Duration: the duration is completely flexible and adapts to what you agree upon (from a few months to the full academic year).
• Who it is signed with: it can be signed with the property owner, with an agency, or sometimes directly with the primary tenant already living in the flat (as long as they have written permission from the landlord to sublet).
• How it works: this contract is not governed by the LAU, but by the Spanish Civil Code. House rules, deposit, and notice period before leaving are set by mutual agreement in the document you sign.

3. Other types of rentals in Spain

Although they are not the most common for an Erasmus grant, the Spanish market also features primary residence rentals (intended for permanent living), tourist/vacation rentals (very short stays regulated by regional laws), and rent-to-own leases.

How much does it cost to rent a flat or room in Spain in 2026?

The average price of rental housing in Spain stands at €14.76 per square meter per month in May 2026, according to data from the Fotocasa Real Estate Index for May 2026. This means that a typical 80-square-meter home costs an average of €1,180.80 per month in the country.

What are the most expensive and cheapest areas to rent a student flat in Spain?

The cost of rent varies considerably depending on the autonomous community and province chosen for your Erasmus studies. The capital, coastal regions, the northern mainland, and the archipelagos record the highest figures in the market.

Rental price in Spain by autonomous community

Source: Fotocasa, data updated in May 2026

As shown in the table above, regions like Madrid, Catalonia, or the Balearic Islands well exceed the national average. By cities, Barcelona city leads the market price at €22.86/m² per month (€1,828.80 for an 80 m² flat), followed very closely by Madrid city at €22.81/m² per month (€1,824.80 for an 80 m² flat), and Donostia – San Sebastián at €20.31/m² per month (€1,624.80 for an 80 m² flat), according to Fotocasa data. On the opposite end, provincial capitals such as Jaén (€7.98/m²) or Lugo (€8.21/m²) are much more accessible for tight budgets.

How much money can you be asked for when signing an Erasmus rental contract?

The legal deposit for temporary rentals is regulated by Article 36.1 of the Urban Leases Act (LAU):

• Temporary housing rental: the legally required deposit is equivalent to 2 months’ rent.
• Primary residence rental: the mandatory legal deposit is 1 month’s rent.

In addition to the legal deposit, the landlord may request additional guarantees (such as extra deposits or bank guarantees). In primary residence contracts, the sum of these guarantees cannot exceed 2 months of additional rent, while in temporary contracts the parties can agree on the guarantees by mutual agreement.

Who pays for utilities, community fees, and agency fees?

As a general rule, utility expenses are shared among tenants (unless the contract states otherwise). Taxes and community fees are usually paid by the landlord. However, there are some rentals (especially room rentals) that also include utilities, so it is recommended to check the contract and always ask. Here is what Spanish law says:

• Utilities (water, electricity, gas, and internet): according to Article 20.3 of the LAU, expenses for services that are individually metered are always the tenant’s responsibility.
• Community fees and IBI (property tax): by default, they are the landlord’s responsibility, according to Article 20.1 of the LAU, unless expressly specified otherwise in the contract, indicating the annual amount.
• Agency fees: in temporary or room rentals, the law allows the contract to specify who assumes the real estate management fees.

What documents are needed to rent a flat in Spain as an Erasmus student and how to avoid scams?

To formalize a rental contract in Spain as an Erasmus student, landlords or agencies will usually ask for the following documentation:

1. Copy of a valid ID or passport (or the Foreigner Identification Number, NIE).
2. Acceptance letter or university enrollment: to prove that the reason for your temporary stay in Spain is study.
3. Proof of financial solvency, grant/scholarship, or parental guarantee: to guarantee to the landlord that you have sufficient funds to pay the monthly rent.

To avoid scams or fraudulent rentals, be suspicious of listings with prices that are suspiciously low for the area, do not send money in advance to “reserve” without having visited the home (or via live video call), and verify the identity of the owner by requesting a Land Registry excerpt (nota simple) from the Land Registry.

10 things to know about a rental contract in Spain

Repairs and breakdowns in a rental flat in Spain: what does the landlord pay for and what does the student pay for?

The landlord must pay for necessary repairs to maintain the home in habitable conditions, while the student must handle minor repairs resulting from everyday wear and tear.

• Landlord’s obligation: Article 21.1 of the LAU establishes that the landlord must pay for all repairs necessary to keep the home in habitable conditions (such as breakdowns of the boiler, plumbing, electrical installation, or structure) without raising the rent for it.
• Student tenant’s obligation: Article 21.4 of the LAU indicates that minor repairs resulting from everyday wear and tear are the tenant’s responsibility. Court criteria fix this at minor fixes (changing lightbulbs, a blind cord, a shower hose, or a doorknob) whose cost usually does not exceed €100 – €150.

How much notice must I give if I want to leave a rental flat in Spain?

If the contract is a temporary student lease or a room rental, the duration and the notice periods for leaving are governed by what is expressly agreed in the signed document between the parties.

If you live under a primary residence contract, you must notify the landlord at least 30 days in advance of the date you intend to leave the flat, provided that a minimum of 6 months has elapsed since the signing of the contract.

On the other hand, if it is the landlord who does not wish to renew a primary residence contract after the mandatory 5 or 7-year extension ends, the law requires them to notify the tenant with a minimum of 4 months’ notice.

10 key questions you should ask before renting a flat in Spain as an Erasmus student

Before signing a contract or sending any financial deposit for your student accommodation, it is essential to clear up all doubts with the landlord or agency to avoid unpleasant surprises during your stay.

To guarantee a transparent and secure rental, make sure to ask the landlord this 10-essential-question checklist:

Best places to live in Spain for expats: complete 2026 Guide

If you are going on an Erasmus in Spain and will live in Spain only during the academic term (from 5 to 10 months), a seasonal temporary rental contract or a room rental contract are the most suitable legal options for your profile.

Start your search 2 to 3 months in advance of the start of the academic year, prepare a detailed photographic inventory when entering the property, and always sign the contract termination with key hand-over when you leave to guarantee the full refund of your deposit within the legal period of 30 days.

Have questions about your contract clauses or deposit? Ask our AI to resolve any query about the rental market in Spain.