Being a member of the European Union, Spain has adopted a Mediterranean climate and boasts a rich culture and low cost of living, making it an ideal place for digital nomads eager to work from different parts of the world. Thus increasing the demand for wide arrays of accommodations for those who are interested to work remotely or start their own business in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville among others.
When you are a digital nomad in Spain and want to stay for a few months or perhaps a couple of years, it is useful to investigate various approaches on how to search for accommodations like apartments, shared rooms, or other possibilities. This guide discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using rental platforms, co-living spaces, local real estate agencies, Facebook groups, and other sources for finding both short-term and long-term accommodation while becoming a part of the digital nomad community in Spain.
Before going into the choices available, let’s consider that the place you choose will directly affect your daily routine, work efficiency, and overall satisfaction as a digital nomad. Establishing a comfortable living environment with a fast internet connection, the necessary amenities and easy access to co-working spaces is an important factor as it enables you to work and actively integrate into the community.
On the other hand, housing factors such as unstable internet connection, noise or the location far from city central business districts may interfere with work and playtime. Since leases and agreements differ from each other, knowing all your options is helpful in selecting the right housing that will suit your needs best.
Luckily, Spain features numerous accommodation options for different requirements and price levels that will come in handy for digital nomads. From centrally located apartments within vibrant neighborhoods to fully equipped co-living establishments that foster productivity and networking, you can choose among these primary methods
1. Online rental platforms
2. Co-living communities
3. Facebook groups/Social media listings
4. Local real estate agencies
5. Digital nomad/expat networks
6. Short-term vs long-term rentals
Check out the detailed descriptions of each of the suggested paths to begin your housing search and become a Spaniard in Spain at the earliest!
Likely the most convenient and popular housing search method is to use online rental platforms and aggregators available in Spain
Idealista – It’s just the right platform for any digital nomad to visit during a virtual search, as it offers the largest rental database in Spain. Offering varies from rented rooms in shared apartments to Urban luxury apartments which are fully equipped apartments.
Fotocasa - Another huge database of Spanish listings, Fotocasa has useful search options to meet your criteria. These are in the form of advertisements, which may be provided by agencies or by individual owners of the properties.
Airbnb - As a hosting platform that specializes in short-term stays, Airbnb has a monthly rate in their service offering. This is advantageous for digital nomads in terms of accommodation because most, if not all, listings are fully furnished and equipped.
Since distance is an advantage with online listings, and you get to see apartments online through virtual tours and in place amenities, you need to be careful given the many rental scams in Spain. Where possible, attempt to physically examine the houses before entering into any sort of agreements and giving out your money to strangers accounts.
For digital nomads seeking purpose-built shared housing with instant community, Spain’s vibrant co-living scene brings all-in-one live/work spaces brimming with amenities.
The Lofttown – Two establishments in Madrid and Barcelona, Lofttown offers specially designed zones for freelancers and start-up people and businesses: furnished bedrooms that can be rented based on short and medium-term stays, open co-working spaces, kitchen, and other facilities for meetings and other activities.
Sun & Co Living - This is a co-living accommodation that is located in Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. Smartly furnished rooms are functional and located close to the best bars and restaurants, and you also get community managers who can help you with networking events.
Any individual willing to live with others in a shared environment, co-living spaces in Spain promote the concept of built-in fellow nomads that would make it easier to succeed in leading destinations. As a result, they provide an opportunity to make new connections, socialize and interact with like-minded people in luxurious residential-like structures equipped with numerous workplaces and recreational facilities, thus creating an environment of total experience.
In addition to the main online rental platforms, digital nomads in Spain leverage popular Facebook groups to find housing leads, room shares and even potential roommates
Housing & Apartments for Rent Spain –;Because of the heavy traffic on this group, the posts here contain information on apartments, rooms and housing rentals in different Spanish cities and the membership is over 14,000. Members also often share messages of houses seeking to be rented or bought too.
Barcelona Apartments/Roommates – With more than 21,000 members, and with people searching only for Barcelona Metro area rentals, there are often comprehensive and sexy ads for sublets and entire flats of all tastes and prices in all sorts of Barri districts.
Barcelona Housing Digital Nomads – A specific group for over 3300 digital nomads in Barcelona, which focuses on sharing housing leads and helpful tips on how to find accommodation at a reasonable price in areas such as close to the beach or next to popular nightlife venues.
There are also specific groups for niche housing markets in social networks as Facebook for Madrid, Valencia, Seville and so on. Positive is being a follower and engaging by providing referrals or being a host for digital nomads. #digitalnomadlife is also relevant on the platform as well as on the Instagram and Twitter accounts.
Although the usage of the internet for housing acquisition is currently on the rise, direct interaction with real estate agencies within the region offering accommodations for rent can afford an orderly and accountable process during your change of residence. Benefits include knowledge of off-market stock, advising on safe signing of contracts and dealing with the payment system under Spanish consumer laws.
Local franchises such as Look&Finds and DonPiso from Spain with offices in multiple regions provide digital nomads with short term rental agreements of 6–12 months with essentials like fast Wi-Fi, easy and flexible lease agreements. They also provide access to social-cultural facilities to help establish. Fees average 1-month’s rent. There are other boutique agencies that deal mainly with expatriates and nomadic residents.
Expanding on the networks that digital nomads and expats currently residing in Spain recommend landlords, property managers, and support beyond housing can similarly help to bypass the roots of housing troubles. First, there are several communities that are devoted to sharing tips: Nomad List and the /DigitalNomad subreddit.
Such platforms as Neighborhood and Remote Year also provide the access to the resources and people willing to recommend the best neighborhoods, renting standards and agencies for short- or long-term stay depending on your travel time, budget, and major interests.
The same can be agreed upon with the housing workshops or social meet ups organized through such platforms as Remotr, Women Digital Nomads and Hoffice Spain which widens the circle of acquaintances as well as sources of insider housing tips.
The last strategic housing decision is the rental time; short-term and easily terminable tenancies or medium to long-term apartment leases or co-living memberships that come with better rate agreements.
For longer stays, which is ideal if planning to spend more time in a particular location, opt for 6–12 months to get even cheaper rates and negotiate for addition offers such as free use of utilities, or free Wi-Fi connection. However, if planning to travel from one Spanish cities to the other as a digital nomad, more dynamic housing arrangements such as flexible monthly Airbnb accommodations. One, two, to three months summer rentals, or even three to six months corporate rentals are possible.
Also, glance at the required documents as well; longer rentals might require presenting documents like proof of income and employment verification or insurance in accordance with Spanish law.
Moving house can be a great adventure, but it can also be very stressful if not well planned for, here are some tips that may come in handy when moving house.
Despite the many accommodation avenues in Spain, strategizing the housing search, in-person viewings where possible and securing essential documentation expedites a smooth transition:
- When searching for listings, potential occupants should consider basic amenities such as fast and reliable internet connection, appropriate space where one could conveniently work on a laptop and accessibility to public transport.
- Book a short term hotel or Airbnb first for viewings and then avoid directly purchasing the property but look for long-term leases on the spot.
- Ensure that you have some documents which are necessary along the application process including income or savings, copies of passports as well as reference letters.
- It is also found that lease timing should be in sync with local peak rental cycles for the best pest and negotiable leasing pricing.
- Revisit all of them policies and agreement agreements to those provided inventories of fixtures, furniture and supplied electronics
In conclusion, Spain can provide digital nomads many unique housing solutions for this innovative and nomadic attitude to work remotely. Waste time in Idealista and Fotocasa to select offers according to the price and amenities that a candidate can afford and can offer before checking the practical feasibility of the selected offers through virtual or physical visits.
Other co-living spaces such as The Lofttown and Sun & Co offer ready-made networks with less set-up hassle for digital nomads who focus on networking. Similarly, do not overlook the power of networking through the Facebook groups and social gatherings to access housing leads and relocation tips from only the insiders who have lived in the new place for a considerable time.
By considering various approaches, including employing numerous avenues to find the right housing, there is a range of short and longer-term apartments for rent in various Spanish cities, corporate rentals, and co-living spaces. Get the best housing to start your Spain-based digital nomad journey.
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