A monthly rental in Spain is signed as a temporada contract, a lease stating the temporary cause such as work or studies (Ley 29/1994, de Arrendamientos Urbanos (LAU), artículo 3). The legal deposit (fianza) is 2 months' rent, and median advertised rents vary significantly by city and home type (Ley 29/1994 (LAU), artículo 36; Flexsirent observatory).

What a Temporada Contract Is

A temporada contract is the legal form for a temporary rental in Spain. It is a lease for a use other than permanent housing that must state the temporary cause of the stay, such as work or studies (Ley 29/1994, de Arrendamientos Urbanos (LAU), artículo 3). This agreement differs from a permanent lease.

The Deposit and Rental Terms

For a temporada contract, the legal deposit is 2 months' rent (Ley 29/1994 (LAU), artículo 36). This differs from permanent rentals, where the legal deposit is 1 month's rent. These terms define the financial security for a mid-term rental.

Monthly Rental Prices by City and Home Type

Prices for a mid-term rental vary by city, home type, and whether utilities are included. The following data is based on the Flexsirent observatory (October 2026).

Madrid

  • One-bedroom flat: Median advertised monthly rent 1,900 € (half of the listings between 1,470 € and 2,370 €), 119 listings, 69% with bills included.
  • Flat with two bedrooms or more: Median advertised monthly rent 2,780 € (half of the listings between 2,208 € and 3,589 €), 138 listings, 77% with bills included.
  • Studio: Median advertised monthly rent 1,250 € (half of the listings between 950 € and 1,665 €), 81 listings, 59% with bills included.
  • Room in a shared flat: Median advertised monthly rent 625 € (half of the listings between 538 € and 735 €), 375 listings, 43% with bills included (Flexsirent observatory).

Barcelona

  • One-bedroom flat: Median advertised monthly rent 1,755 € (half of the listings between 1,500 € and 2,498 €), 62 listings, 75% with bills included.
  • Flat with two bedrooms or more: Median advertised monthly rent 2,475 € (half of the listings between 1,838 € and 3,113 €), 96 listings, 47% with bills included.
  • Studio: Median advertised monthly rent 1,460 € (half of the listings between 1,095 € and 1,985 €), 76 listings, 77% with bills included.
  • Room in a shared flat: Median advertised monthly rent 733 € (half of the listings between 620 € and 891 €), 456 listings, 51% with bills included (Flexsirent observatory).

Valencia

  • One-bedroom flat: Median advertised monthly rent 1,546 € (half of the listings between 1,300 € and 2,084 €), 83 listings, 68% with bills included.
  • Flat with two bedrooms or more: Median advertised monthly rent 2,060 € (half of the listings between 1,650 € and 2,600 €), 173 listings, 85% with bills included.
  • Studio: Median advertised monthly rent 1,200 € (half of the listings between 1,000 € and 1,560 €), 37 listings, 63% with bills included.
  • Room in a shared flat: Median advertised monthly rent 430 € (half of the listings between 375 € and 518 €), 318 listings, 46% with bills included (Flexsirent observatory).

Málaga

  • One-bedroom flat: Median advertised monthly rent 1,871 € (half of the listings between 1,490 € and 2,651 €), 162 listings, 81% with bills included.
  • Flat with two bedrooms or more: Median advertised monthly rent 2,350 € (half of the listings between 1,600 € and 3,582 €), 234 listings, 65% with bills included.
  • Studio: Median advertised monthly rent 1,600 € (half of the listings between 975 € and 2,100 €), 79 listings, 78% with bills included.
  • Room in a shared flat: Median advertised monthly rent 650 € (half of the listings between 500 € and 823 €), 230 listings, 62% with bills included (Flexsirent observatory).

Registration and Administrative Requirements

Tenants must complete empadronamiento, the registration at the town hall (ayuntamiento) of the municipality where they live, to obtain the public health card (Ley 7/1985, Reguladora de las Bases del Régimen Local, artículos 15 y 16). EU citizens staying over 3 months must register in the Registro Central de Extranjeros to get a registration certificate (Real Decreto 240/2007, artículo 7).

The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is the identification number for foreigners needed for taxes and official paperwork, though a rental contract can be signed with a passport (Real Decreto 557/2011 (Reglamento de Extranjería), artículo 206). Non-EU citizens need a visa based on the reason for their stay, such as work or studies (Ley Orgánica 4/2000 y, para el teletrabajo internacional, Ley 28/2022).

For non-EU citizens working remotely for companies outside Spain, the digital nomad visa is available. This requires a university degree, vocational training, or 3 years of professional experience, and a professional relationship of at least 3 months with a company outside Spain active for at least 1 year (Ley 14/2013, artículos 62.3 y 74 bis a 74 quinquies). Other requirements include health insurance authorized in Spain, no criminal record in Spain or countries of residence for the last 2 years, and sufficient economic resources. This visa lasts up to 1 year, with a possible residence permit for international remote work for up to 3 years, renewable for 2-year periods.

Payment Methods and Bank Accounts

Payments of 1,000 € or more cannot be made in cash when one party is a business or professional, though the limit is 10,000 € for individuals with a tax domicile outside Spain who are not businesses (Ley 11/2021, artículo decimoctavo). Rent can be sent via SEPA, and the provider cannot restrict which EU Member State the account is in (Reglamento (UE) 260/2012, artículo 9.2).

Cross-border payment charges in euros must be the same as those for equivalent national payments (Reglamento (UE) 2021/1230, artículo 3.1). EU legal residents have the right to open a basic payment account in each Member State (Directiva (UE) 2014/92, artículo 16). In Spain, credit institutions must offer this basic account to EU residents, asylum seekers, and people whose expulsion is legally or practically impossible (Real Decreto-ley 19/2017, artículo 3).

Frequently asked questions

What is a temporada contract and how long can it last?

A temporada contract is a lease for a use other than permanent housing that states the temporary cause, such as work or studies (Ley 29/1994, de Arrendamientos Urbanos (LAU), artículo 3).

How much deposit must I pay for a temporary rental contract in Spain?

The legal deposit for a temporada contract is 2 months' rent (Ley 29/1994 (LAU), artículo 36).

Do I need to register at the town hall after signing a rental contract?

Yes, everyone living in Spain must complete the empadronamiento at the town hall of their municipality (Ley 7/1985, Reguladora de las Bases del Régimen Local, artículos 15 y 16).

What registration or visa do I need if I am not an EU citizen renting for several months?

Non-EU citizens need a visa based on the reason for their stay (Ley Orgánica 4/2000 y, para el teletrabajo internacional, Ley 28/2022) and a NIE for taxes and official paperwork (Real Decreto 557/2011 (Reglamento de Extranjería), artículo 206).