Madrid

Madrid’s rental market is competitive but offers more inventory than Barcelona. Rents have risen steadily, but the city’s size means affordable options exist across many neighborhoods.

Rental landscape

Studios in central Madrid cost €800-1,200/month; 1-bedroom apartments run €1,000-1,600/month. The market moves fast — good apartments at fair prices are snapped up within days.

Where to look

• Idealista — Spain’s dominant rental portal
• Fotocasa — Second-largest Spanish property site
• Spotahome — Verified mid-term rentals
• Badi — Room rentals in shared apartments

Tips for renters

• Spanish rental contracts (contrato de arrendamiento) are typically 5-year minimum by law, even if landlords offer shorter terms — the 2019 housing law protects tenants
• You’ll need a Spanish bank account and NIE number before most landlords will consider your application
• Fianza (deposit) is legally limited to 1 month’s rent for unfurnished, 2 months for furnished apartments