Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Spain Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Spain Property Pack
Spain's rental market in 2026 is one of the tightest in recent memory, with advertised rents climbing faster than what existing tenants pay.
Whether you're a landlord, investor, or renter, understanding current prices is essential.
This article covers rent levels, neighborhood trends, and landlord costs across Spain, updated regularly.
And if you're planning to buy property here, download our pack covering the real estate market in Spain.
Insights
- Studios in Spain rent in about 25 days, nearly twice as fast as larger apartments, showing fierce competition for small units.
- Advertised rents in Spain are rising around 10% year over year, but official measures show smaller increases because they track sitting tenants, not new renters.
- The effective vacancy rate for long-term rentals in Spain sits around 4% nationally, dropping to 2 to 3% in Madrid and Barcelona centers.
- Peak rental demand in Spain hits August through October, so landlords listing in September often get the fastest matches.
- Air conditioning adds a meaningful rent premium in Spain, especially in southern and coastal cities.
- Furnished apartments in Madrid and Barcelona rent faster and at a premium because expats and young professionals want flexibility.
- Neighborhoods near metro stations and universities, like Moncloa in Madrid or Benimaclet in Valencia, see listings disappear in under 30 days.
- Spain's IBI property tax varies widely by municipality, so similar apartments in different towns can have tax bills from 360 to over 1,400 euros.
What are typical rents in Spain as of 2026?
What's the average monthly rent for a studio in Spain as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a studio in Spain is around 550 euros (595 USD), based on typical 30 to 40 square meter units.
The range stretches from about 400 euros (430 USD) in smaller cities to 800 euros (865 USD) in prime Madrid and Barcelona areas.
Main factors causing variation are location, amenities like elevators and air conditioning, and furnishing status.
What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Spain as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Spain is around 720 euros (780 USD), based on typical 45 to 55 square meter units.
The range runs from about 500 euros (540 USD) in less central locations to 1,100 euros (1,190 USD) in high-demand neighborhoods.
Cheapest 1-bedroom rents are in peripheral areas and cities like Zaragoza or Murcia; most expensive are in Madrid's Salamanca, Barcelona's Eixample, and San Sebastian.
What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom in Spain as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom in Spain is around 1,020 euros (1,100 USD), based on typical 70 to 80 square meter units.
The range spans from about 700 euros (755 USD) in affordable suburbs to 1,600 euros (1,730 USD) in prime urban locations.
Cheapest 2-bedroom rents are in Vallecas (Madrid), Nou Barris (Barcelona), or Valencia's outskirts; most expensive are in Salamanca (Madrid), Sarrià-Sant Gervasi (Barcelona), and Palma's Old Town.
By the way, you will find much more detailed rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Spain.
What's the average rent per square meter in Spain as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the average rent per square meter in Spain is around 14.40 euros (15.50 USD) based on advertised listings.
The range runs from about 9 euros (9.70 USD) in smaller cities to over 20 euros (21.60 USD) in prime Madrid, Barcelona, and tourist areas.
Compared to Western Europe, Spain's average sits below Paris or Amsterdam but above Lisbon.
Properties commanding above-average rents typically feature renovations, central metro access, air conditioning, elevators, and terraces.
How much have rents changed year-over-year in Spain in 2026?
As of early 2026, advertised rents in Spain have risen approximately 10% year over year, one of the strongest recent increases.
Main drivers are housing supply shortages, strong domestic and international demand, and properties shifting to tourist accommodations.
This year's increase matches last year's pace, though slightly less explosive than 2025's peak months.
What's the outlook for rent growth in Spain in 2026?
As of early 2026, projected rent growth in Spain sits between 6% and 9%, still strong but likely cooler than 2025's peaks.
Key factors include ongoing supply constraints, population growth in major metros, and tourist demand eating into housing stock.
Madrid's Salamanca and Chamberí, Barcelona's Eixample, and tourist provinces like Balearic Islands and Málaga should see the strongest growth.
Risks include potential rent controls, economic slowdown, or increased housing construction.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Spain. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Which neighborhoods rent best in Spain as of 2026?
Which neighborhoods have the highest rents in Spain as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the three highest-rent neighborhoods in Spain are Salamanca in Madrid (18 to 22 euros per square meter), Sarrià-Sant Gervasi in Barcelona (similar), and Santa Catalina in Palma de Mallorca (17 to 20 euros).
These command premiums due to prestige, walkability, high-end amenities, historic architecture, and limited supply.
Typical tenants include executives, diplomats, established professionals, and wealthy internationals prioritizing location.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Spain.
Where do young professionals prefer to rent in Spain right now?
Top neighborhoods for young professionals are Malasaña in Madrid, Gràcia in Barcelona, and Ruzafa in Valencia, known for nightlife and creative energy.
They typically pay 700 to 1,100 euros (755 to 1,190 USD) for a 1-bedroom or small 2-bedroom.
The draw is walkable streets, coworking spaces, trendy bars, good metro, and matching social scenes.
By the way, you will find a detailed tenant analysis in our property pack covering the real estate market in Spain.
Where do families prefer to rent in Spain right now?
Top family neighborhoods are Retiro in Madrid, Sarrià in Barcelona, and El Pla del Real in Valencia, offering larger apartments, parks, and calm.
Families renting 2 to 3 bedrooms typically pay 1,200 to 1,800 euros (1,295 to 1,945 USD).
The appeal is green spaces, low noise, reputable schools, and child-friendly community feel.
Nearby schools include Colegio Retamar near Retiro, Escola Thau near Sarrià, and Colegio Alemán near El Pla del Real.
Which areas near transit or universities rent faster in Spain in 2026?
As of early 2026, areas renting fastest near transit or universities are Moncloa in Madrid (Universidad Complutense), Benimaclet in Valencia, and Les Corts in Barcelona (UPC).
Properties here stay listed only 20 to 30 days, versus the 40 to 50 day national average.
The rent premium near transit or universities is about 10% to 15%, or 70 to 120 euros (75 to 130 USD) extra monthly.
Which neighborhoods are most popular with expats in Spain right now?
Top expat neighborhoods are Eixample in Barcelona, Chamberí in Madrid, and Soho in Málaga, offering international services and cosmopolitan feel.
Expats typically pay 900 to 1,500 euros (970 to 1,620 USD) for 1 to 2 bedrooms.
The appeal includes international schools, English-speaking services, coworking, diverse dining, and good transport.
Most represented nationalities are British, American, German, and French in Barcelona and Madrid; Málaga attracts Northern Europeans and digital nomads.
And if you are also an expat, you may want to read our exhaustive guide for expats in Spain.
Get fresh and reliable information about the market in Spain
Don't base significant investment decisions on outdated data. Get updated and accurate information with our guide.
Who rents, and what do tenants want in Spain right now?
What tenant profiles dominate rentals in Spain?
Top tenant profiles are young adults delaying purchases, couples and small families seeking 2 to 3 bedrooms, and students competing for studios.
Young adults and couples represent roughly 50% of demand, families 30%, and students 20%, varying by city.
Young adults seek 1 to 2 bedrooms centrally, families want 2 to 3 bedrooms near schools, students prioritize studios near universities.
If you want to optimize your cashflow, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in Spain.
Do tenants prefer furnished or unfurnished in Spain?
Furnished apartments are preferred by roughly 60% of movers in major cities, while unfurnished is more common in suburban family areas.
The furnished premium is 50 to 150 euros monthly (55 to 160 USD), roughly 10% to 15%.
Expats, young professionals, and students prefer furnished for flexibility and avoiding furniture investment.
Which amenities increase rent the most in Spain?
Top five rent-boosting amenities are air conditioning, elevators, balconies or terraces, parking, and high-speed fiber with natural light.
Air conditioning adds 30 to 80 euros (32 to 86 USD), elevators 40 to 100 euros (43 to 108 USD), terraces 50 to 120 euros (54 to 130 USD), parking 60 to 150 euros (65 to 162 USD), connectivity 20 to 50 euros (22 to 54 USD).
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Spain, we cover what are the best investments a landlord can make.
What renovations get the best ROI for rentals in Spain?
Top five ROI renovations are air conditioning or heat pumps, kitchen refreshes, bathroom modernization, window efficiency upgrades, and electrical system improvements.
Air conditioning costs 1,000 to 2,500 euros (1,080 to 2,700 USD) for 30 to 80 euros monthly boost; kitchens cost 2,000 to 5,000 euros (2,160 to 5,400 USD) for 40 to 100 euros; bathrooms cost 1,500 to 4,000 euros (1,620 to 4,320 USD) for 30 to 70 euros.
Avoid overly customized finishes, urban apartment pools, and smart home systems tenants won't pay for.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Spain versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How strong is rental demand in Spain as of 2026?
What's the vacancy rate for rentals in Spain as of 2026?
As of early 2026, the effective vacancy rate for long-term rentals in Spain is around 4% nationally, dropping to 2% to 3% in Madrid and Barcelona cores.
The range stretches from under 2% in high-demand centers to 6% to 8% in smaller towns.
Current rates are well below the 6% to 7% historical average, reflecting severe supply-demand imbalance.
Finally please note that you will have all the indicators you need in our property pack covering the real estate market in Spain.
How many days do rentals stay listed in Spain as of 2026?
As of early 2026, average listing time in Spain is 40 to 45 days, varying by property type and location.
Studios average 25 days, 1 to 3 bedrooms 40 to 50 days, and 4-plus bedrooms 55 days or more.
Current figures match last year, indicating consistently tight conditions.
Which months have peak tenant demand in Spain?
Peak demand months are August, September, and October, with September busiest as students return and jobs start.
Drivers include academic calendar, fall hiring cycles, and families relocating before school.
Lowest demand is December and January, when holidays and budget resets slow searches.
Buying real estate in Spain can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
What will my monthly costs be in Spain as of 2026?
What property taxes should landlords expect in Spain as of 2026?
As of early 2026, typical annual IBI in Spain ranges from 360 to 1,400 euros (390 to 1,510 USD), or 30 to 120 euros monthly.
The range depends on municipality rates and cadastral value, with smaller towns at the low end and prime Madrid or Barcelona at the high end.
IBI is calculated by multiplying cadastral value by local rates each municipality sets.
Please note that, in our property pack covering the real estate market in Spain, we cover what exemptions or deductions may be available to reduce property taxes for landlords.
What maintenance budget per year is realistic in Spain right now?
A realistic annual maintenance budget is 600 to 1,500 euros (650 to 1,620 USD), or 50 to 125 euros monthly excluding major capex.
The range depends on property age, with newer apartments lower and older buildings higher.
Landlords typically set aside 1% of property value yearly, or 8% to 12% of rental income.
What utilities do landlords often pay in Spain right now?
Landlords most commonly pay community fees (gastos de comunidad) and property insurance; electricity, gas, water, and internet are typically tenant responsibilities.
Community fees run 30 to 100 euros (32 to 108 USD) monthly; insurance adds 15 to 40 euros (16 to 43 USD).
Under Spain's Urban Leases Act, costs can only be allocated to tenants if explicitly agreed in writing.
How is rental income taxed in Spain as of 2026?
As of early 2026, rental income for residents is taxed at progressive rates of 19% to 47%, with significant reductions available for long-term leases.
Main deductions include mortgage interest, IBI, community fees, repairs, insurance, and depreciation (typically 3% of construction value annually).
Common Spain-specific mistakes include poor expense documentation, missing foreign asset deadlines, and incorrectly applying rent reductions.
We cover these mistakes, among others, in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying property in Spain.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Spain compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether in our blog or market analyses in our property pack about Spain, we rely on strong methodology.
For transparency, here are the authoritative sources we used and our methods.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Idealista Rent Index | Spain's largest portal with transparent index based on millions of listings. | We anchored rent levels and YoY growth. We triangulated with Fotocasa and official data. |
| Fotocasa Rent Index | Major portal with long-running index and methodology notes. | We used as independent benchmark. We tightened confidence bands. |
| MIVAU SERPAVI Portal | Spain's official Ministry tool providing rent reference ranges. | We validated rent levels by location. We cross-checked portal data. |
| SERPAVI Methodology (PDF) | Documents government methodology for rent reference system. | We explained how ranges are constructed. We ensured consistency with official methods. |
| INE IRAV Index | Official statistics agency index under national housing law. | We anchored how existing contract rent updates are capped. We used as official rulebook. |
| INE CPI Rent Component | Official CPI component tracking rented housing. | We cross-checked in-place vs advertised trends. We sanity-checked YoY claims. |
| Observatorio del Alquiler | Specialist observatory with academic partners. | We estimated rental speed by unit size. We explained demand in practical terms. |
| BOE Urban Leases Act (LAU) | Official legal text governing residential leases. | We explained tenant charges and agreement requirements. We grounded costs in law. |
| Agencia Tributaria Rental Guide | Tax authority explaining rental-income treatment. | We described taxation and reductions. We kept tax section accurate. |
| BOE IRPF Law (Ley 35/2006) | Official personal income tax law. | We used as legal backbone for tax guidance. We avoided secondary summaries. |
| BOE Local Finances Act (RDL 2/2004) | Official framework enabling IBI property taxes. | We grounded property tax discussion in law. We explained municipal variation. |
| El País (Bank of Spain) | Leading newspaper reporting Bank of Spain warnings. | We contextualized tourist-area supply pressures. We explained intense growth areas. |
| Eurostat House Prices and Rents | EU's official statistical office with rent datasets. | We contextualized Spain within EU. We used as macro reality check. |
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