A furnished monthly rental in Málaga costs a median of 1,871 € for one-bedroom flats, 2,350 € for flats with two or more bedrooms, 1,600 € for studios, and 650 € for rooms in shared flats, with 62% to 81% of these listings including bills (Flexsirent observatory, October 2026). A mid-term rental for stays of 1 to 11 months is signed as a temporada contract, which is a lease for a use other than permanent housing that specifies a temporary cause, such as work or studies [Ley 29/1994, de Arrendamientos Urbanos (LAU), artículo 3].

Prices by Home Type in Málaga

The cost of a furnished monthly rental varies significantly depending on the size and type of the home. Based on data from October 2026, the breakdown is as follows (Flexsirent observatory):

  • One-bedroom flat: The median advertised monthly rent is 1,871 €, with half of the 162 listings falling between 1,490 € and 2,651 €. In 81% of these cases, utilities are included.
  • Flat with two bedrooms or more: The median advertised monthly rent is 2,350 €, with half of the 234 listings ranging from 1,600 € to 3,582 €. Utilities are included in 65% of these listings.
  • Studio: The median advertised monthly rent is 1,600 €, with half of the 79 listings priced between 975 € and 2,100 €. Utilities are included in 78% of these listings.
  • Room in a shared flat: The median advertised monthly rent is 650 €, with half of the 230 listings between 500 € and 823 €. Utilities are included in 62% of these listings.

The Temporada Contract and Deposit

A temporada contract is a temporary lease used for a specific cause, such as professional assignments or academic studies, rather than for permanent housing. For this type of contract, the legal deposit (fianza) required is two months' rent, whereas a contract for a permanent home requires a deposit of one month's rent [Ley 29/1994 (LAU), artículo 3 y 36].

Registration and Identification Requirements

Tenants moving to Málaga must complete several administrative steps to formalize their stay. First, everyone living in Spain must complete the empadronamiento, which is the registration at the town hall (ayuntamiento) of the municipality; this process requires the rental contract and is necessary to obtain a public health card and complete various official procedures [Ley 7/1985, Reguladora de las Bases del Régimen Local, artículos 15 y 16].

Second, a tenant may need the NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero), the identification number for foreigners in Spain. While a rental contract can be signed using a passport, the NIE is required for paying taxes, working, and most official paperwork, and is often requested by banks and landlords; it can be applied for at a Spanish consulate abroad or at a foreigners' office or police station in Spain [Real Decreto 557/2011 (Reglamento de Extranjería), artículo 206].

Finally, citizens of the European Union who stay in Spain for more than three months are required to register with the Registro Central de Extranjeros to obtain a registration certificate [Real Decreto 240/2007, artículo 7].

Visa and Residency Rules by Nationality

The legal requirements for entering and staying in Spain depend on the tenant's nationality and the purpose of their move.

EU Citizens

EU citizens staying in Spain for more than three months must apply to be entered in the Registro Central de Extranjeros to receive a registration certificate [Real Decreto 240/2007, artículo 7].

Non-EU Citizens and Digital Nomad Visa

For citizens of countries outside the European Union, the required visa depends on the reason for the stay, such as studies, work, remote work, or non-lucrative residence, with the specific requirements confirmed by the Spanish consulate [Ley Orgánica 4/2000 y, para el teletrabajo internacional, Ley 28/2022].

One specific option is the digital nomad visa for non-EU citizens who work remotely for companies located outside Spain. A self-employed professional may also use this visa if their work for a company in Spain does not exceed 20% of their total activity [Ley 14/2013, artículos 62.3 y 74 bis a 74 quinquies]. The requirements include:

  • A university or business-school degree, vocational training, or at least three years of professional experience.
  • A professional or work relationship of at least the last three months with a company outside Spain that has been active for at least one year, including documentation proving the work can be done remotely.
  • Public or private health insurance from an insurer authorized in Spain.
  • No criminal record in Spain or in countries of residence over the last two years.
  • Sufficient economic resources for the stay.

This visa lasts up to one year, after which a residence permit for international remote work can be requested for up to three years, renewable for periods of two years [Ley 14/2013, artículos 62.3 y 74 bis a 74 quinquies].

Payment Methods and Cross-Border Transfers

When paying rent for a mid-term rental, tenants must follow specific payment rules. Payments of 1,000 € or more cannot be made in cash if one party is a professional or business; however, the limit is 10,000 € for non-residents who do not act as a business or professional [Ley 11/2021, artículo decimoctavo].

For those using bank transfers, SEPA transfers within the EU cannot be restricted by the Member State where the payer's account is located, as long as the account is reachable [Reglamento (UE) 260/2012, artículo 9.2]. Furthermore, banks must charge the same rate for cross-border euro payments as they do for equivalent domestic payments [Reglamento (UE) 2021/1230, artículo 3.1].

Regarding banking access, EU residents, including those without a fixed address, have the right to a basic payment account in each Member State [Directiva (UE) 2014/92, artículo 16]. In Spain, this right extends to asylum seekers and people without a residence permit whose expulsion is legally or practically impossible [Real Decreto-ley 19/2017, artículo 3].

Frequently asked questions

What is a temporada contract and how is it different from a permanent rental lease?

A temporada contract is a lease for a use other than permanent housing, such as for work or studies [Ley 29/1994 (LAU), artículo 3].

How much deposit must I pay for a furnished monthly rental in Málaga?

The legal deposit for a temporada contract is two months' rent [Ley 29/1994 (LAU), artículo 36].

Do I need to register at the town hall when I rent a flat in Málaga?

Yes, everyone who lives in Spain must complete the empadronamiento at the town hall, which is required for the public health card and other procedures [Ley 7/1985, Reguladora de las Bases del Régimen Local, artículos 15 y 16].

What is the digital nomad visa and how long does it last?

It is a visa for non-EU citizens working remotely for companies outside Spain; it lasts up to one year and can be followed by a residence permit for up to three years [Ley 14/2013, artículos 62.3 y 74 bis a 74 quinquies].