If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve just arrived in Barcelona, excited to start a new chapter. But then reality hits: finding a place to rent here feels harder than winning the lottery.
Barcelona is an incredible city—sun, beaches, amazing food—but its rental market? Not so friendly, especially if you’re new here.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the biggest challenges expats face when renting in Barcelona and how to make your search easier.
🔥1. High prices and crazy competition
Barcelona is one of the most in-demand cities in Europe, attracting expats, digital nomads, students, and professionals from all over the world. But that also means rental prices have skyrocketed in recent years.
To give you an idea:
✅ A one-bedroom apartment in the city center can easily cost €1,200-1,800 per month.
✅ If you’re looking for something bigger, prices go up to €2,000-2,500 or more.
✅ More affordable options exist in less central areas, but demand is still high.
And the worst part? Good apartments get rented within hours. Sometimes, by the time you call to book a visit, the place is already gone.
📌 Tip:
- Be prepared to act fast. Have your paperwork ready before you start searching.
- Consider working with a relocation expert (like Settledown!) to speed things up.
🏦 2. Strict rental requirements
This is where most expats struggle. Many landlords and agencies will ask for:
✅ A Spanish work contract or proof of local income (hard if you just arrived!).
✅ A bank guarantee covering 6-12 months’ rent (basically freezing a huge amount of money).
✅ A deposit of several months’ rent in advance.
✅ Rental history in Spain (which, of course, you don’t have yet).
For landlords, renting to a foreigner without a local history feels risky, so they add all these extra conditions. Unfortunately, this means that newcomers are at a big disadvantage.
📌 Tip:
- If you don’t have a Spanish salary, some landlords will accept several months’ rent upfront instead.
- A letter of recommendation from a previous landlord or employer can help.
- If you work for an international company, ask if they can provide a corporate guarantee.
📑 3. The paperwork nightmare
One of the biggest headaches for newcomers is the bureaucratic Catch-22 you’ll face:
❌ To rent an apartment, you often need a Spanish bank account.
❌ To open a bank account, some banks ask for a Spanish address.
❌ To register in the city (empadronamiento), you need a rental contract.
❌ To get a long-term contract, some landlords ask for a NIE (Foreigner’s ID Number).
❌ And… to get a NIE, you often need proof of residence (aka a rental contract).
See the problem? It’s an endless loop that can take weeks (or months) to sort out.
📌 Tip:
- Many expats start with short-term rentals until they sort out paperwork.
- A relocation service (like Settledown ) can help you navigate the red tape.
🤨 4. Landlord hesitation towards foreigners
Here’s the hard truth: some landlords prefer renting to locals over foreigners.
Why?
- Fear of payment issues.
- Uncertainty about your legal situation.
- A lack of knowledge about international contracts.
This means that even if you have a great job and stable income, you might be rejected just because you’re not from Spain.
📌 Tip:
- Introduce yourself professionally when contacting landlords. Explain who you are, what you do, and why you’re a reliable tenant.
- If possible, provide extra financial proof (bank statements, employment contract, recommendation letters).
✍️ 5. Shady contracts and rental scams
Another risk for newcomers is unfair or illegal rental contracts. Some common traps include:
❌ Landlords who don’t register your deposit with the local housing authority (which is legally required in Catalonia).
❌ Unfair clauses making tenants pay for things they legally shouldn’t.
❌ Renting without an official contract, which can cause legal trouble later.
If you don’t know the Spanish rental laws, it’s easy to sign something that’s not in your best interest.
📌 Tip:
- Always read the contract carefully before signing.
- If something feels off, consult an expert before committing.
💡 How to make your apartment search easier?
All of this might sound overwhelming, but don’t worry, there are solutions!
✔ Get professional help: At Settledown, we help expats and international professionals find a home in Barcelona without the stress and bureaucracy.
✔ Consider short-term rentals first: It gives you time to get your paperwork sorted before committing to a long-term lease.
✔ Look beyond the tourist hotspots: Areas like Sant Andreu, Nou Barris, or Hospitalet offer more affordable options.
✔ Be flexible: Sometimes, accepting a slightly smaller or less central place can make a huge difference in getting approved.
📩 Need help moving to Barcelona?
Renting in Barcelona can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be a nightmare.
At Settledown, we handle the entire process for you, so you can find the perfect place without stress, paperwork delays, or shady contracts.
If you’re moving to Barcelona and don’t want to waste time with rental headaches, send us a message and let’s find the best option for you! 🚀
Welcome to Barcelona! ☀️🏡