Renting an apartment in Madrid without a Spanish bank account: what they ask for and how to break the cycle
Updated · 7 min read
Finding an apartment in Madrid (or any big Spanish city) is hard for anyone, and harder if you've just arrived with no local history or account. Here's what's worth knowing before you start looking.
What landlords usually ask for
- An identity document: passport, NIE or TIE.
- Proof of income or solvency (payslips, a scholarship, bank statements or a guarantor).
- An account to set up the rent direct debit.
The deposit and guarantees
Under Spain's Urban Leases Act (Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos), the mandatory deposit for a residential rental is one month's rent. Landlords can also ask for additional guarantees, which in residential leases can't exceed two more months.
Since the 2023 Housing Act, agency management and contract fees in Spain are paid by the landlord, not the tenant.
Can they require a Spanish account?
Within the SEPA area (the European Union and other countries), European regulation says a payee shouldn't require the payer's account to be in a specific country. In practice, some landlords still prefer a Spanish account, but having a European IBAN puts you in a much better position than having none.
Strategies for your first weeks
- Book a student residence or temporary accommodation for the first month and look for an apartment from there.
- Don't pay any reservation fee or deposit without seeing the apartment or without a written contract: scams targeting international students are common.
- Always ask for a receipt for each payment and keep your conversations.
- If you can, arrive with your account and proof of funds already sorted from home.