Location, size, comfort, transport... With so many things to consider, finding student housing in Barcelona, Spain, can be quite a challenge, especially for international students who want a smooth and hassle-free experience. According to data from the Ministry of Universities, Catalonia registered 19,859 foreign enrollments for the 2021-2022 academic year, of which 3,294 were in exchange programs and 16,565 in regular programs. At the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), during the 2023-2024 academic year alone, 35% of Master's degree students and 39% of doctoral students came from outside Spain. These figures highlight the great need for housing among this segment of the population and indicate why it can be difficult to find the perfect place in this competitive market.
The people who seek student accommodation in Barcelona comprise a heterogeneous group: they include undergraduate students, exchange students from other educational centers, and working professionals trying to improve their CVs by adding a Master's degree or an International MBA. Each segment has different needs and may opt for a different type of accommodation.
Some young people opt for student accommodation with services included and with very clear rules about schedules and behavior. Others who want more independence may choose to share an apartment. However, when it comes to postgraduate students in older age ranges, their criteria vary. Those who travel alone and have sufficient purchasing power may choose to rent a studio in Barcelona; others may want to share an apartment, but only if it meets certain standards of size and services; and still others come to Barcelona with a partner and/or children and need a full apartment to themselves in a residential neighborhood.
Student housing in Barcelona is classified according to the type of contract you sign. Among the most common are long-term rentals, intended for permanent housing, and month-to-month rentals, for stays of less than a year. There are also holiday or tourism contracts for use by the day, and it’s possible to share a single dwelling with other tenants through room rental. All rental agreements in Spain are regulated by the Urban Leasing Law (LAU), except for room rental, which is governed by the Civil Code.
Also known as habitual residence contracts, long-term rental contracts are aimed at tenants who reside permanently in the city, since they allow for use and enjoyment of the property for up to five years, or even seven years if the tenant is a legal entity. These contracts can be extended for an additional three years.
Unlike long-term contracts, temporary or month-to-month rental contracts are not intended for regular housing but for use during a shorter period of time. They usually have a duration of between 32 days and 11 months and are designed for tenants who plan to spend several months in the city for work, academic or medical reasons, or to complete a specific project. These contracts may be extended by agreement between the parties.
The tourism or holiday rental contract is designed for tenants who want to spend a few days in the city and seek a furnished apartment for maximum comfort and privacy. The tenant must agree to clauses regarding the duration of the contract, the number of guests allowed, noise levels and the general rules of behavior. In the case of Barcelona, apartments must have a specific license for tourism use.
With room rental contracts, the tenant has the right to use and enjoy a bedroom and the common areas of an apartment such as the living room, terrace, kitchen, bathroom, etc. The contract can have a duration of months, quarters, semesters or even a full academic year if the tenants are students. All the conditions must be well defined and agreed to by all parties to avoid misunderstandings.
Before agreeing to rental contract conditions in Barcelona you should make sure they comply with the current regulations and don’t include abusive clauses. These are some of the most important points to consider:
Duration. As we explained above, the duration of the contract is closely linked to the purpose of the stay. If you are a student and need flexibility so you can spend a few months in the city, a month-to-month rental may be ideal, but you must have, in writing, how long you have the right to use the apartment.
Penalties. The contract will also include the penalty to be paid by the tenant if he/she decides to leave without notice.
Deposit. In Spain, you will almost always be asked for a bond or deposit as a guarantee for the landlord. The amount is established according to the type of contract and its duration and should be reimbursed to the tenant if the property is in good condition when they vacate.
Maintenance. The owner is responsible for any necessary repairs that ensure the living conditions of the dwelling.
Inventory. The contract must state whether the property is delivered furnished and list the basic equipment such as electrical appliances, kitchen and bathroom utensils, and any other elements that the tenant may enjoy.
Additional services. In the case of month-to-month rental contracts, you may want to contract additional services such as WiFi, private parking or regular cleaning.
One of the most common misconceptions about student housing share by rooms is that they are ideal because you can divide up the expenses. But this isn’t true in all cases. It depends greatly on personal expectations, age, financial resources and preferences, as well as the particularities of the property and neighborhood you’ve chosen.
Applications that “match” potential roommates among unknown users and web platforms that promise to find student apartments in Barcelona at suspiciously cheap prices should be treated with caution. To avoid unpleasant experiences, it’s always preferable to get in contact directly with the owner of the property or with the company that will manage your rental. These companies can offer support from their offices in the city and have professional teams that assist potential guests from the first moment they come across the apartment ad.
One of the most striking features of Barcelona's architecture is the many well-preserved buildings built in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. With roomy, high-ceilinged spaces, long corridors and multiple bedrooms, Eixample neighborhood apartments are ideal for a student housing share in Barcelona for students who want to live with people of the same age without giving up the comforts of their own room and well-lit interiors.
The desire for a full apartment rental stems, above all, from the need for independence and wanting to feel at home. Graduate students who are older and have more economic resources may choose this option because they want their own space or they are coming with their family. For a single person, studio apartments in iconic neighborhoods like La Barceloneta may be perfect. Those moving with a partner and/or children can choose between two-bedroom apartments in trendy areas like Poblenou or cozy three-bedroom apartments outside the center and away from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
With almost 1.7 million inhabitants, Barcelona is a vibrant city that attracts people from all over the world with its art scene and monuments, intellectual community and technological centers. Barcelona’s public and private universities collaborate with the European business world and international organizations, and the city is also the site of major trend-setting academic and corporate events. Regardless of your chosen area of expertise, studying in Barcelona is a wise choice. To make the most of your experience, choose student housing in Barcelona in a neighborhood with charisma that has everything you’ll need for a comfortable stay, and opt for comprehensive services so you can focus on your studies rather than on day-to-day maintenance.
Location. Because your student housing experience is intimately tied to the neighborhood you choose, you should look for friendly, safe spaces with access to essential services like supermarkets, hospitals, and pharmacies. Whether you prefer the hustle and bustle of central neighborhoods or the tranquility of more peripheral neighborhoods, in Barcelona you can find lots of apartments for rent in lively neighborhoods. People looking for student accommodation near the university can choose between neighborhoods with an intense academic life, such as Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, or areas with a rich cultural agenda.
Transport. One of the great advantages of the Catalan capital is its public transport network. The bus, metro, rail and streetcar lines are integrated with a single Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) ticket, so that you can move from one area to another without difficulty. For example, in Zone 1, which covers the city of Barcelona, you have an hour and 15 minutes to reuse the same metro fare in another form of transport without any extra cost. This system, plus the fact that there are stations in every neighborhood, makes it easy to find an apartment near the university.
Comfort and amenities. If you’re going to spend months or years studying in Barcelona, you’ll want to feel at home in a pleasant space. Make sure your new apartment has comfortable furniture, basic amenities such as towels and bedding, air conditioning and heating systems, high-efficiency appliances, modern interior design, a well-equipped kitchen, natural light, high-speed ADSL and good window insulation from noise so you can concentrate. Many people will also want to know whether their apartment has an alarm system and the building has a concierge or other facilities like a gym or swimming pool. A company that manages month-to-month rentals will be able to guide you to your ideal space, making your life that much easier during your time as a student.
Extra services. Concentrating on your studies or internship and being able to enjoy the cultural and leisure activities the city offers requires time; don’t spend it on daily chores like cleaning. Agencies specialized in temporary rental management offer these services and more in comprehensive packages designed to ease their tenants’ lives.
Avant-garde, classic, industrial, sophisticated, bohemian... each of the neighborhoods in Barcelona has its own personality reflected in its architecture, commerce, and the lifestyle of its inhabitants. Being close to the university may be a priority when it comes to student accommodation in Barcelona, but as it’s so easy to move around with public transport, let your own tastes and preferences prevail in this decision.
The old fishing district, La Barceloneta, offers an open window onto the Mediterranean. The seafood, the beach bars and the beach atmosphere ensure fun year-round and, in addition, put you close to important city attractions like Port Vell and the Barcelona History Museum.
Close to Barceloneta you’ll find El Born, an old neighborhood where many designers and artists exhibit their work. The Santa Caterina market with its multicolored roof, the modernist Palau de la Música and the El Born Center of Culture and Memory, with its Roman ruins, are the great attractions of this central area.
La Rambla de Barcelona, perhaps the most iconic street in the city, is the backbone of Ciutat Vella. Among the neighborhood’s narrow cobblestone streets you’ll cross with the medieval past and discover incredible buildings like the Cathedral, the political square of Sant Jaume, and important cultural hubs like the MACBA, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona.
The Eixample is synonymous with Catalan modernism. Designed by Ildefons Cerdà, this neighborhood stands out for its grid-like streets and iconic buildings such as La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. With a wide variety of stores and restaurants, it is an ideal place to give yourself the most cosmopolitan of Barcelona experiences.
The original heart of Barcelona, the Gótico is characterized by labyrinthine cobblestone streets full of medieval charm. In addition, its proximity to the sea and Las Ramblas make it a vibrant place of intense movement throughout the year.
Bohemian and international, Gràcia retains the charm of a village with its cozy squares and hidden corners. Its varied gastronomic, cultural and leisure offer has made it a benchmark of both modernity and tradition.
Like Gràcia, Horta-Guinardó’s identity owes a debt to its past as an independent village with strongly rooted inhabitants. Thanks to its geographical location, it enjoys breathtaking views of the city and has incredible recreational areas like the Horta Labyrinth.
Les Corts boasts trendy commercial spaces like Illa Diagonal and impressive stately buildings, as well as a vibrant international dining scene. Here you will find iconic buildings such as the Camp Nou stadium, home of FC Barcelona, and the pavilions of La Maternitat, which are of notable architectural value.
Poble Nou, a former industrial neighborhood, has been transformed into an innovative area with warehouses converted into work, commercial and educational spaces. Its wide streets and proximity to the sea are accompanied by tranquil residential areas, especially in the 22@ district.
The Raval is a lively multicultural neighborhood located next to La Rambla. It is home to modern museums like the Center of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona, CCCB, as well as a wide variety of unique stores and restaurants of different origins.
Its name says it all. The Sagrada Familia neighborhood revolves around the iconic basilica designed by Antoni Gaudí, a symbol of the city. But, in addition, its hexagonal corners and wide streets harbor another impressive example of modernist architecture, the Hospital de Sant Pau.
Sant Martí is one of the most dynamic areas of the city, with industrial-style residential buildings in the 22@ area and more traditional housing near La Rambla del Poblenou. It offers easy access to beaches such as Bogatell and Mar Bella and ample green spaces for outdoor activities.
Vila Olímpica, in the Sant Martí district, was the site of athlete housing during the 1992 summer Olympics, and these buildings have been converted into residential apartments ideal for those who want to be close to the beach. There are many nightlife venues in the area, perfect for those who like to go out and meet an international crowd.
Sants-Montjuïc is known for its family atmosphere and its connection with Montjuïc, Barcelona's seaside mountain, home to museums, sports facilities, large green areas and lookout points with panoramic views over the city. It is an area of great movement and commercial activity thanks to its proximity to the city’s main train station.
Exclusivity and discretion define the personality of Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, one of the most traditional and sophisticated areas of Barcelona. With intense commercial activity in its main streets and total tranquility on residential streets, this is a residential area par excellence.
Barcelona is one of the most attractive cities in the country for the quality of its educational offer and its lifestyle, so the price to rent student housing depends less on its proximity to the university centers and more on the neighborhood in which you have decided to live. Areas with high demand but fewer properties on the market, such as Gràcia or Sarrià, can be more expensive than, for example, Ciutat Vella or Eixample. However, other factors such as square meters, the number of bedrooms, and the proximity to cultural and commercial centers or tourism attractions can also come into play.
The average rental price in Barcelona is very similar in every area, so if you find a suspiciously low offer, be cautious and make sure it’s not a scam. Unfortunately, in a city as attractive as this one, there are cases of supposed landlords who turn out not to be the owners of the property and agencies that customers should never trust. Some research on forums, reviews and even with student groups at your university can help give you a real picture of the market.
As we mentioned, sharing an apartment with other students is a popular option, but if you compare it with having a month-to-month apartment with expenses and management included, it may be equal in price. Check prices by calculating fixed monthly costs like Internet and utilities. A quick search of “how much does it cost to live in Barcelona” will help you run the numbers and determine whether it’s worth it to get all your housing costs into a single bill and let someone else handle any unforeseen issues that may arise.
The vast majority of foreign students begin their housing search from their home country and come across ads from all kinds of student housing rental agencies in Barcelona, so it can be very confusing. Not all agencies have the necessary experience to meet your needs and not all of them are familiar with the particular needs of this segment of the market. To make this all-important housing decision, analyze the pros and cons and choose a company specialized in month-to-month apartment rental management with which you can establish a relationship before the trip and that you can maintain throughout your stay in the city.
Knowledge. A company that demonstrates extensive experience in the management of vacation and monthly rentals knows how to deal with different types of customers, from tourists here for a few days to students who come for at least one academic year and have specific lifestyle needs.
Track record. Years of work in the sector guarantee a wide range of properties from which to choose, solid experience in incident management, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing the legal processes are transparent and the property complies with local regulations.
Trust. The prestige of a rental apartment management company can be verified through the reviews and evaluations left by owners and tenants on specialized platforms and in forums. These online spaces can be essential for students when it comes to making a decision.
24/7 customer service. Having someone available to address unforeseen events or worries at any time of the day is one of the key ways to give tenants peace of mind, especially when they’re foreigners and their main concern should be their academic commitments.
Multiculturalism. In a city as cosmopolitan as the Catalan capital, multilingual and multicultural teams are the foundation of trusting relationships with clients.
If you’ve already figured out which area of study will mark your professional future, the next step is to search for “student housing, Barcelona Spain.” You’ll be served all kinds of ads, but before making a hasty decision, check whether the source is reliable and experienced. Explore the map of Barcelona and find the neighborhood that best fits your expectations. And finally, choose among the student accommodation in Barcelona the apartment that’ll be the perfect base for one of the best stages of your life.
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