Is Renting a Flat in Barcelona Long-term Difficult?

At Zipple, the leading relocation agency worldwide, we’ve seen first-hand how difficult it can be for newcomers and long-time residents to secure long-term rental flats in the city. Whether you're moving to Barcelona for work, study, or just to enjoy life, navigating the rental market can feel like a never-ending battle. In this article, we’ll explore the 10 most important reasons why it’s so hard to rent a flat long-term in Barcelona and how these factors affect your search.

1. The Rental Index (Like Rent Control)
One of the biggest hurdles to renting a flat long-term in Barcelona is the rental index, a system introduced by the Catalan government to cap rents. This rental control, aimed at curbing rent increases, applies when landlords rent a flat for more than one year.

• How it works: The rental index is a formula that calculates a "fair" rent for an area, preventing landlords from charging significantly more than the index dictates.
• Why it’s a problem: Many landlords feel that the rental index keeps rents artificially low, preventing them from charging market rates. As a result, they are less willing to offer long-term contracts, opting instead for short-term leases where they can charge higher rents without being restricted by the index.

Impact on renters: Long-term tenants may find fewer options on the market, as many landlords prefer to avoid this cap and keep flats available for shorter rental terms.

2. Long-Term Rental Contracts Require a Work Contract (Under 2000€)
Another barrier for many renters, especially expats, is the requirement of a work contract for long-term rental agreements. This is especially true for flats under 2000 euros per month.

• Why it’s a problem: Many landlords demand proof of a stable income, such as a permanent work contract from tenants before signing a lease. If you’re a freelancer, student, or someone without a traditional full-time job, this can be a serious obstacle.
• Expats face additional challenges: Expats often arrive in Barcelona without a local work contract, making it difficult for them to meet the requirements for these more affordable rental properties.

Impact on renters: Expats and anyone without stable, full-time employment may find it hard to qualify for a long-term rental agreement, forcing them to pay higher rents for flats that don't have these strict requirements.

3. Higher Taxes for Short-Term Rentals
The Spanish government imposes higher taxes on short-term rentalscompared to long-term ones, and this has far-reaching consequences for both landlords and tenants.

• Why it’s a problem: Landlords are charged higher tax rates for short-term rentals, making it more expensive for them to rent their flats on platforms like Airbnb. To compensate, they often raise the rent on their long-term rentals to make up for the taxes they pay on their short-term rentals.
• Effect on the market: With the tax burden in place, landlords are encouraged to rent their properties short-term, where they can make a quick profit, rather than signing long-term leases.

Impact on renters: As landlords seek to cover these additional taxes, the cost of renting a flat long-term increases, making it even more difficult for tenants to find affordable housing in Barcelona.

4. High Competition for Rental Flats
Everyone wants to live in Barcelona. With its blend of culture, weather, and quality of life, the demand for rental flats is sky-high, and the market is highly competitive.

• Why it’s a problem: Whether it’s students, expats, professionals, or even tourists looking for medium-term rentals, the demand far exceeds the supply. This intense competition drives up prices and makes it much harder for renters to find a flat.
• Desirable neighborhoods like Gràcia, Eixample, and Barceloneta are particularly hard to rent in, as these areas are extremely popular among both locals and expats.

Impact on renters: With so many people vying for the same properties, it’s not uncommon for listings to receive dozens of applications within hours. This leads to a situation where rents skyrocket, and renters often have to make split-second decisions or risk losing the property to someone else.

5. Difficult Eviction Process
Spain has tenant-friendly eviction laws, which is great news for tenants but can make landlords very wary of who they rent to.

• Why it’s a problem: Evicting a tenant in Spain can be a long and expensive process, sometimes taking up to a year or longer. This makes landlords extra cautious about choosing their tenants, especially for long-term contracts.
• Landlord skepticism: Given how difficult it is to evict someone, landlords may require more documentation, larger security deposits, or only rent to tenants with solid work contracts, making the process more difficult for many potential renters.

Impact on renters: Even if you’re a responsible tenant, the fear of non-paying tenants makes landlords more selective and can result in added barriers such as needing guarantors, higher deposits, and stricter vetting processes.

6. Language Barrier
Barcelona is a bilingual city, where both Spanish and Catalan are widely spoken. However, for many expats, especially those from English-speaking countries like the US or UK, the language barrier can be a significant challenge when trying to rent a flat.

• Why it’s a problem: Rental agreements, conversations with landlords, and communications with real estate agents are often conducted in Spanish or Catalan, which can be difficult for non-Spanish-speaking expats to navigate.
• Translation issues: Misunderstandings in lease terms, expectations, and legal requirements often arise when language barriers come into play.

Impact on renters: Expats who do not speak the local language may struggle to communicate with landlords and agents, leading to confusion, missed opportunities, and even potential scams if they are unable to fully understand rental contracts.

7. High Demand for Updated Flats
Barcelona is an old city, and while this is part of its charm, it also means that many apartments lack modern amenities such as air conditioning or clothes dryers.

• Why it’s a problem: Flats with modern features like air conditioning, updated kitchens, and in-unit dryers are in high demand, especially during Barcelona’s hot summers. These modern amenities come at a premium.
• Limited availability: Modern apartments with these features are few and far between, making it difficult for renters to find suitable properties, especially if they are used to modern conveniences back home.

Impact on renters: If you want a flat with modern amenities, be prepared to pay a higher rent and face stiff competition, as these properties are snapped up quickly by those willing to pay a premium.

8. Premium Neighborhoods Drive Up Prices
Everyone wants to live in the best areas of Barcelona, but the most popular neighborhoods come with hefty price tags.

• Why it’s a problem: Barcelona’s most sought-after neighborhoods, such as Eixample, Gràcia, and Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, are extremely expensive due to their central locations, trendy vibes, and proximity to restaurants, shops, and attractions.
• Willingness to pay more: Many people are willing to pay a premium to live in these neighborhoods, driving up rents even further and leaving less affordable housing options for everyone else.

Impact on renters: If you want to live in a trendy or central neighborhood, expect to pay a premium. Renters who can’t afford these areas may need to look farther afield, in neighborhoods that are less central or less popular but more affordable.

9. Laid-Back Spanish Culture
One cultural aspect of Spain is the laid-back attitude towards time, which can be frustrating for people used to the fast-paced efficiency of other countries.

• Why it’s a problem: In Spain, the culture is more relaxed, and real estate agents or landlords might not be in a rush to show properties or close deals. Additionally, many take long siestas, meaning office hours may be limited in the afternoon.
• Impact on response times: Many expats are surprised by the slow response times from landlords and real estate agents, as well as the lack of urgency when setting up viewings.

Impact on renters: Be prepared for the process to take longer than expected. Patience is key, but this relaxed approach can sometimes result in missed opportunities, especially in a competitive market where properties are taken off the market quickly.

10. Fraud and Rental Scams
Unfortunately, rental fraud is not uncommon in Barcelona, and many expats have fallen victim to real estate scams.

• Why it’s a problem: Scammers often post fake listings with attractive photos and low prices to lure in unsuspecting renters. They may ask for a deposit before showing the property or claim they are out of town and unable to meet in person.
• How to avoid it: Be cautious of listings that seem too good to be true, and never send money before you’ve seen the property and verified the landlord or agency.

Impact on renters: Many potential tenants, especially those unfamiliar with the city, may lose money to scammers or end up in unsatisfactory rental situations. Always use a trusted agency like Zipple to avoid falling victim to these scams.

Navigating the Barcelona Rental Market
Renting a flat long-term in Barcelona is not without its challenges. Between high demand, strict rental requirements, and the laid-back Spanish culture, it can be a daunting process for both locals and expats. At Zipple, we specialize in helping people navigate the complexities of the Barcelona rental market and find the perfect home. With our insider knowledge and trusted network, we take the stress out of finding a flat in this incredible city.

Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your search smoother, and with the right approach, you’ll be able to settle into your Barcelona life with ease. This is why people use Zipple to sure their rental housing in Barcelona. Please contact us today!