29.04.2025 
Why Finding Real Estate in Spain is Challenging
1. Lack of In-Person Inspection
Many people aim to find a home without being in Spain so they can immediately move into a rented apartment or room upon arrival. However, remote searching is often complicated by the inability to personally inspect the property and speak with the owner. This raises the question of trust: how can one be sure that the photographs are genuine and that the information about the apartment is not exaggerated?
2. Risk of Encountering Scammers
When choosing a rental property, there is always a risk of encountering fake listings. Not all platforms thoroughly verify the authors and the quality of the content. Users have to figure out which services or applications are the most reliable and where the likelihood of encountering fake listings is minimal.
3. Commissions and Hidden Fees
The high amount of commissions, which often reach 20–30 percent of the monthly rental cost, becomes an unpleasant surprise. This is especially problematic when the tenant is trying to stay within a certain budget. Major platforms may charge a booking fee, and some services require advance payment for several months at once.
4. Lack of Transparency in Long-Term Rentals
In Spain, there are platforms geared towards short-term rentals (for example, for vacation periods) as well as websites for long-term contracts. If a property is needed for several years or a rental confirmation is required for a visa, additional complications may arise: not all listings come with an official contract, and the absence of such a document complicates dealings with government agencies.
5. Language Barrier
Many local websites and applications are targeted at a Spanish-speaking audience. If a potential tenant does not speak Spanish, the search becomes more difficult. Furthermore, not all resources offer full versions in English or another language.
Main Services and Applications: How They Help
The following are several popular services. They all offer different formats for interacting with property owners, vary in commission rates, and help address the main challenges faced by tenants.
- Platforms with Pre-Verified Listings
Spotahome. This service is intended for long-term rentals. Properties are checked by staff to ensure they match the description: photos are taken and videos are recorded. This significantly reduces the risk of encountering fake or outdated listings.
— Problem Solved: guaranteed quality of information.
— Drawback: the commission can reach 20–30 percent of the monthly rent, as well as the inability to directly contact the owner before finalizing the deal.
Uniplaces. Geared towards students and young professionals. Listings are thoroughly verified. To make a reservation, payment for the first month and the service fee are required. This provides certain guarantees: if the actual property does not match the description, the service promises support.
— Problem Solved: high level of trust in the listings, which is important when searching from abroad.
— Drawback: relatively high commission and fixed rental periods. - Services for Direct Contact with the Owner
Idealista. One of the largest and most popular portals where you can find properties throughout Spain. Listings are posted by both private individuals and agencies. It features convenient filters by city, neighborhood, and price.
— Problem Solved: a wide selection and the possibility to contact the owner (or representative) directly to clarify details.
— Drawback: there is no guarantee that all photographs are true to life, as properties are not subject to mandatory verification. The reliability of the deal depends on the honesty of the landlord.
Milanuncios. A service for posting free advertisements on any topic: from cars to real estate. Here too, you can directly contact the owner by phone or via messaging apps.
— Problem Solved: no intermediaries and no commissions.
— Drawback: many listings may lack photographs or contain incomplete information, and the properties are not verified. - Portals for Business-Oriented Housing
Homyspace. Specializes in rentals for corporate needs – for example, when a company sends employees on assignments for several months. The platform works only with verified owners and guarantees that the properties meet the stated standards.
— Problem Solved: simplifies the rental process during long-term assignments, taking corporate needs into account.
— Drawback: it is usually more expensive than standard platforms, and some offers require long-term contracts with advance payment. - Applications (App — application) for Finding a Room or Shared Housing
Badi. A platform for renting rooms and finding roommates. It allows users to create a profile and connect with others based on similar preferences.
— Problem Solved: simplifies the search for affordable housing, especially for students and young people who want to live in the city center.
— Drawback: it is exclusively focused on rooms. An official contract cannot be concluded through the service. - Platforms for Short-Term Rentals
Airbnb (AirBed and Breakfast). A world-renowned platform for travelers that is increasingly used to search for long-term housing. It is convenient when a temporary place is needed quickly or when a contract for a visa is required (in some cases, the host may provide it).
— Problem Solved: immediate online booking with secure transactions, along with reviews that reduce the risk of fraud.
— Drawback: the service fee in case of cancellation is usually non-refundable, and long-term rentals can turn out to be more expensive. - Specialized Platforms
There are portals focused exclusively on specific cities, regions, or types of rentals (for example, for students). An example is services for the Catalan market or specific websites for room rentals in Madrid. These platforms usually have a narrower audience but offer local information that is not available on national websites.
How to Protect Yourself from Fraud and Avoid Extra Expenses
1. Check Ratings and Reviews
If the service supports a rating system, review the profiles of landlords and the opinions of previous tenants. This will help to weed out questionable options early on.
2. Use Applications with Geolocation
Modern smartphones equipped with GPS (Global Positioning System) allow for precise tracking of a property's location. Reliable resources enable you to verify the address and check whether the real photos match the surroundings.
3. Ask for Details Directly
Even if the listing does not include a contact form, try to find an alternative way to communicate through the application to ask questions: request updated photos or arrange a video call. The more details obtained before making an advance payment, the lower the chances of being deceived.
4. Clearly Agree on Contract Terms
If the service does not offer a standard contract, it is advisable to draft one yourself or with the help of a lawyer. This is especially critical for long-term stays of six months or more.
5. Verify the Fees
Before booking the property, confirm which charges apply. These may include the service fee, a deposit, or an agency fee. The total amount can significantly affect the final cost and increase the monthly payment.
Particularities of Long-Term Rentals and How to Prepare
Required Documentation
For some types of rentals, a proof of income or a guarantor may be required. If it is a request for a long-term visa, an official contract that confirms the right to reside in Spain will be needed. It is important to find out if the landlord is willing to provide the necessary documentation.
Minimum Contract Duration
In the long-term rental market in Spain, offers typically require a minimum stay of 6–12 months, and a considerable advance payment is often required. If you do not plan to stay for long, it is better to choose services that offer flexible rental periods.
Insurance
Some resources include insurance packages for tenants and landlords. This provides additional protection against potential risks such as equipment damage, flooding, or breaches of contract terms.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Finding housing in Spain (whether for short-term rentals or long-term properties) can be much easier and safer if you choose the right applications and strategies. Start by analyzing your own needs:
- Do you need constant contact with the owner?
- Do you require an official confirmation for a visa?
- Are you willing to pay a commission in exchange for the guarantee of verified listings?
Rely on the reputation of the service, the reviews of actual users, and detailed descriptions of the properties. If saving money is the priority, direct contact with owners through free ad boards can reduce costs, although it increases the risk of fraud. If safety and reliability are more important, platforms where each listing is verified are preferable.
It is also important to consider the language barrier. Many applications (App — application) offer an option to switch to English, but not all have full localization. If you do not speak Spanish, it is advisable to look for websites or applications that offer support in the required language.
Finally, pay close attention to all the terms of the agreement: verify the fees, payment methods, and the existence of a contract. Sometimes it is better to pay a bit more for verified options than to later encounter unexpected expenses or legal problems. In this way, renting property in Spain becomes much simpler, allowing you to find a home that meets your needs and budget without unnecessary complications.
