Finding Short-Term & Long-Term Housing in Barcelona: Your Relocation Guide
- NOVA Barcelona
- Oct 2
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 15
Moving to Barcelona? Whether you're here for a few months or planning to settle long-term, understanding the local housing market is crucial. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you navigate short-term and long-term rentals, with updated pricing and neighborhood insights.
Short-Term Rentals in Barcelona
Ideal for newcomers, short-term rentals offer flexibility and a chance to explore the city and different neighborhoods before committing long-term.
Popular Platforms:
Spotahome: Offers verified listings with video tours, ideal for securing a place before arrival.
Airbnb: A broad selection of apartments and homes across Barcelona, perfect for convenient, fully equipped short stays. Make sure listings have a valid tourist license (HUT) for a legal rental.
VRBO: Family-friendly apartments and homes in popular neighborhoods, offering more space for short stays. Selection in Barcelona is more limited than Airbnb and always check that the property has a valid HUT license.
HousingAnywhere: Caters to students and young professionals, featuring short-term rentals with easy online booking.
Real Estate Agents:
SH Barcelona: Offers serviced apartments and aparthotels, ideal for short-term stays with hotel-level amenities and flexible contracts.
Blueground: Fully furnished, premium apartments, ideal for stays of 30+ days. All units are managed professionally, offering flexible leases and streamlined booking.
SuiteLife: Boutique agency offering curated short- and mid-term apartments with personalized support for people relocating to Barcelona.
Estimated Pricing:
70–100 m²: €1,500–€2,500/month
100–150 m²: €2,500–€4,500/month
Note: Prices may vary considerably depending on location, amenities, and property type.
Long-Term Rentals in Barcelona
Long-term rentals provide stability and the opportunity to fully experience life in Barcelona. Contracts typically start at 12 months and are often renewable.
Top Platforms:
Idealista: Spain's largest property portal, offering a wide selection of long-term rentals across Barcelona.
Fotocasa: Features detailed listings with filters for price, size, and neighborhood, making it easy to find the right apartment.
Habitaclia: Focused on Catalonia, providing a comprehensive range of long-term rentals in the city and suburbs.
Real Estate Agents
Max Ricart: Specializes in premium long-term rentals and sales, including high-end apartments and penthouses in prime neighborhoods such as Eixample and Sarrià-Sant Gervasi.
Engel & Völkers: Provides luxury residential rentals and sales across the city with multilingual agents and personalized support
Lucas Fox: Offers a curated selection of upscale long-term rentals, including designer apartments, penthouses and villas.
Carolina Martí: Family-run agency with high-quality properties in Barcelona's Zona Alta, including neighborhoods like Sarrià-Sant Gervasi and Pedralbes.
aProperties: Luxury long-term rentals in desirable neighborhoods, with curated properties and personalized service.
Estimated Pricing:
70–100 m²: €1,200–€2,000/month
100–150 m²: €2,000–€3,500/month or more for luxury units
Neighborhood Insights
Choosing the right neighborhood is important if you want to make the most of your experience in Barcelona. Below are some of the most popular choices for new arrivals.
Eixample: Central, elegant, full of shops and restaurants.
Gràcia: Village-like feel with plazas and cafes.
Poblenou: Close to the beach, popular with families and professionals.
Sarrià-Sant Gervasi: Residential, quiet, excellent schools.
El Born and Gothic Quarter: Historic, cultural areas with nightlife (can be noisy).
For detailed descriptions of all districts, check our complete neighborhood guide for Barcelona.
Tips to Avoid Rental Scams
Navigating the Barcelona housing market safely is important, especially for newcomers. To avoid common rental risks, follow these guidelines:
Verify Listings: Use reputable platforms with verified listings and detailed photos. Avoid properties that only have text descriptions or minimal information. For short term rentals, always check that the property has a valid tourist license (HUT).
Avoid Upfront Payments: Never send money before signing a contract or confirming ownership. Always meet the landlord in person or work through a trusted agent.
Check Property Ownership: Ensure the person renting the property is the legal owner or authorized agent. You can verify ownership through the Spanish land registry.
Read Contracts Carefully: Review every detail in your rental agreement, including fees, deposit terms, and contract length. Clarify anything that seems unusual.
Be Wary of Prices That Are Too Good to Be True: Extremely low rent compared to the market average can indicate a risky listing.
Use Licensed Agents or Relocation Services: Trusted professionals help verify properties, contracts, and landlords, reducing your exposure to potential problems.
Protect Your Personal Information: Only share sensitive data with verified landlords or platforms. Avoid sending copies of documents via unverified email or messaging services.
Request a Walkthrough: Whether in person or virtually, always view the property to confirm its condition, amenities and legitimacy.
Following these steps will help you avoid rental risks and ensure a smooth move to Barcelona. Working with a professional relocation service or licensed real estate agent adds an extra layer of security and peace of mind.
FAQs: Renting Apartments in Barcelona
How much does rent cost in Barcelona?
Rent in Barcelona depends on the size, location, and rental duration. For short-term rentals, expect about €1,500–€4,500 per month, and for long-term apartments, around €1,200–€3,500 per month. Prices vary considerably depending on neighborhood, size, amenities, and the apartment’s condition.
What are the best neighborhoods to live in Barcelona?
Popular districts with foreigners include Eixample (central and elegant), Gràcia (cozy, village-like feel), Poblenou (close to the beach), Sarrià–Sant Gervasi (quiet and residential), and El Born / Gothic Quarter (historic and lively). See our full neighborhood guide for more details. See our neighborhood guide for more details.
Do apartments in Barcelona come furnished?
Short-term rentals are usually furnished. Long-term rentals are often unfurnished, although some premium apartments come equipped with high-quality furnishings.
What documents do I need to rent an apartment in Barcelona?
Landlords usually require a passport or NIE, proof of income (work contract, payslips, or bank statements), and bank account details. A guarantor may be requested if you don’t have local income.
Can I rent an apartment in Barcelona without an NIE?
Yes, many landlords accept a passport for the initial contract. However, a NIE is often needed later for opening a Spanish bank account or completing administrative procedures.
Do I need a Spanish bank account to rent in Barcelona?
In most cases, yes. Landlords prefer rent and utilities to be paid from a Spanish bank account. Some may accept international transfers, but expect fees or delays.
What is the minimum rental contract length in Barcelona?
Long-term rentals typically require a 12-month contract, although some landlords accept 6-month agreements. For residency registration (empadronamiento) or TIE applications, contracts must be at least 3 months.
Should I start with short-term housing in Barcelona?
Yes. Starting with a short-term rental allows you to explore neighborhoods and get to know the city before committing to a long-term lease.
Can I rent in Barcelona without speaking Spanish or Catalan?
Yes. Many landlords and agents speak English. Contracts are usually in Spanish or Catalan, so it’s recommended to get a translation or use a relocation service to avoid misunderstandings.
Are utilities included in rent in Barcelona?
Short-term rentals often include utilities such as water, electricity, and internet. Long-term rentals typically do not; tenants are responsible for paying these separately. Always confirm what is included in the contract.
How much is the rental deposit in Barcelona?
Most landlords require a deposit of 1-2 months’ rent. Luxury apartments or tenants without local income may require additional guarantees.
Do I need a guarantor to rent in Barcelona?
Sometimes. If you don’t have local income or credit history in Spain, landlords may ask for a guarantor or extra documentation to secure the lease.
What happens if I end my rental contract early in Barcelona?
Most contracts require at least 30 days’ notice. Ending the lease early may result in losing your deposit or paying a penalty, depending on the terms of the contract.
Are pets allowed in apartments in Barcelona?
It depends on the landlord. Some rentals allow pets, while others explicitly forbid them. Always check pet policies before signing the lease.
Can I register (empadronamiento) in a shared apartment in Barcelona?
Yes. You need the main tenant’s or landlord’s consent and proof of residence, such as a rental contract or utility bills.
Can short-term rentals in Barcelona be extended?
Oftentimes yes. Many landlords allow renewals of short-term leases, but it’s recommended to negotiate the possibility of extension before signing.
How can I avoid rental scams in Barcelona?
Partner with a relocation agency with legal expertise, use only licensed agents and trusted platforms, never pay anything before signing a contract, always view the apartment in person or via video call, and verify the landlord’s identity and property details before making any payments.
Final Thoughts
Finding short-term, long-term, or premium housing in Barcelona is easier with guidance. Starting with a flexible rental allows you to explore neighborhoods before committing to a long-term or high-end property.
At NOVA Barcelona, we provide relocation support every step of the way, from housing search to contract signing. Contact us today if you need support with any step of your housing search.
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