{
  "id": 1673475,
  "title": "TELL US: Have you had problems finding a long-term rental in Spain?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/tell-us-have-you-had-problems-finding-a-long-term-rental-in-spain",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-18T08:44:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Local Spain",
    "slug": "the-local-spain",
    "url": "https://www.thelocal.es/20260818/tell-us-have-you-had-problems-finding-a-long-term-rental-in-spain"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Have you recently relocated to Spain and struggled to secure a long-term rental? Your experience is what we're interested in. Finding accommodation in major Spanish cities like Barcelona and Madrid has become quite challenging. Alongside skyrocketing prices, there is a shrinking supply, and numerous applicants are vying for the same property. According to Llàtzer Puigpelat from rental app Vivara, the available housing stock in Spain decreased by 56% between 2020 and 2024. In Barcelona, this decline was 84%, resulting in 40,800 fewer homes; in Madrid, the drop was 71%, with 58,000 fewer homes. A significant portion of this diminished supply has transitioned to short-term and tourist rentals, while many owners have opted to remove their properties from the rental market, as Puigpelat explained to Spanish newspaper El Periódico.\n\nThis situation is well-known among locals and residents of these cities, but it may not be as evident to newcomers from abroad. For foreigners, particularly those on Spain's digital nomad visas, renting can prove even more challenging. This is primarily because they lack Spanish job contracts, and many landlords and estate agencies are reluctant to consider individuals without a stable employment status. They are concerned about potential issues with ongoing rental payments in the absence of a permanent job contract. Additionally, landlords are wary of self-employed individuals and those who do not have traditional employment.\n\nAs a consequence, numerous foreigners in Spain have encountered the need to pay up to six months' rent in advance, while others have been compelled to opt for short-term rentals, which often come with a premium and the obligation to find new accommodations every few months. Moreover, landlords are increasingly renting properties for 11 months, thereby keeping the leases under the temporary rental classification. This approach allows them to sidestep the stronger tenancy rights associated with long-term rental contracts, such as protection against rent hikes and eviction safeguards.\n\nDespite the government's efforts over recent years to address these issues through various measures, many of these initiatives have thus far failed to resolve the problems. Have you encountered similar difficulties in some of Spain's larger cities or elsewhere within the country? Share your experiences by completing the survey below. Register as a member or log in to access the full story.",
  "summary": "Have you moved to Spain recently and been finding it almost impossible to find a long-term rental? We want to hear about your experience.",
  "key_points": [
    "Long-term rental supply in Spain dropped 56% from 2020-2024.",
    "Barcelona saw 84% decrease in housing stock, losing 40,800 homes.",
    "Short-term rentals surged as many owners removed properties from market."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Local Spain",
        "title": "TELL US: Have you had problems finding a long-term rental in Spain?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/tell-us-have-you-had-problems-finding-a-long-term-rental-in-spain-1674920",
        "published": "2026-08-18T08:44:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}