How to Rent an Apartment in Barcelona (and Do It Ethically)
Thinking about making Barcelona your new home? You're not alone. Every week, I receive countless of messages from digital nomads to retirees wanted to make the move. The city draws in people from all over the world. But here’s the catch: behind the sunny lifestyle and cheap food lies one of the most complicated rental markets in Europe.
In fact, Barcelona’s housing issues were serious enough to land on the front page of The New York Times, which described the city as a “cautionary tale" of what happens when real estate becomes more about profit than people.
So before you jump into flat hunting, let’s talk about how to rent ethically, responsibly, and smartly in 2025—while being aware of what locals are dealing with and how you can tread carefully.
🗞️ Media Coverage vs. Lived Reality: The Full Story
If you've seen headlines about "anti-tourist" protests in Barcelona, it's easy to walk away with the impression that locals are hostile toward newcomers. But the truth is far more complex.
What the media often misses is the deeper story—about housing affordability, economic displacement, and the emotional toll of losing neighborhoods to speculation and tourism. These protests aren’t about disliking visitors. They’re about locals fighting for the right to stay in their homes.
As an expat, it’s important to understand that you’re stepping into this dynamic—not as the villain, but not entirely neutral either.
In this piece, I’ll do my best to offer both perspectives: how locals are experiencing the housing crisis, and what you as a newcomer can do to live more respectfully, ethically, and informed.
🏠 Barcelona’s Housing Crisis—What Expats Need to Know
“Prices have risen much faster than wages, pricing out workers and residents, and turning the city into a cautionary tale.” — The New York Times
Barcelona has become ground zero for a housing crisis. Investment funds own a growing share of apartments. Entire neighborhoods have been turned into short-term rental zones. And long-time residents are being priced out of the places they grew up in.
The city has lost more than 50,000 residents over the past ten years, many of whom were pushed out by rising rents or building conversions.
“Housing is no longer about living. It’s about making money.” — Barcelona housing activist
What this means for expats: You’re entering a market under pressure. Locals are struggling to stay. Being aware of this context helps you make more ethical housing choices—and avoid scams or risky contracts.
📝 More Context on Barcelona's Housing Crisis
Let’s break it down:
🏡 Investment Funds and Housing Speculation
Since 2015, nearly 10% of Spain’s real estate has been acquired by investment funds. In Barcelona, this has contributed to dramatic price increases and tightened rental availability. Apartments are no longer seen primarily as homes—but as revenue-generating assets.
Why it matters: You might find yourself renting from a faceless company with strict terms and zero flexibility—and locals are understandably frustrated by this shift.
🏠 Tourist Rentals and Residential Displacement
Thousands of apartments once used for housing are now short-term lets. This has pushed residents to the outskirts—or out of the city entirely.
What to do: Always opt for long-term leases from licensed properties. You’ll get more stability and won’t contribute to the crisis.
📈 Prices Rising Faster Than Wages
Wages in Barcelona have not kept pace with rising rental costs, which is a major reason why locals are being pushed out. This wage-rent gap is central to the frustration many long-time residents feel.
Why it matters: If you're moving with a foreign income, be aware that what feels affordable to you may be out of reach for locals. Be mindful when negotiating rent. Bargaining for a lower price? Fair game. Offering 12 months upfront to outbid locals? That´s a different story.
🏢 Government Efforts and Policy Changes
The Generalitat de Catalunya plans to build 50,000 affordable housing units. The city has also introduced stricter rules for converting properties into tourist rentals—including requiring 60% neighbor approval.
Why it matters: Regulation is changing. Some landlords may try to work around new rules by offering illegal contracts or unregistered flats. Always ask to see a registered lease and confirm the property is legal for long-term rental.
💬 Social Tensions and Housing Activism
There is a growing grassroots movement among locals to reclaim housing as a right. From tenant unions to protests, the city is pushing back against speculation and displacement.
Why it matters: Expats are increasingly part of this conversation. Being respectful of local struggles and making responsible rental choices can help you integrate more meaningfully into your new home.
📍 Where to Look (and Where to Tread Carefully)
Trendy neighborhoods like Eixample, El Born, and Barceloneta are beautiful but also pricey, gentrified, and often tied up in the Airbnb economy. These areas are also where many long-term residents have been displaced. Gentrification is real, and some local sentiment toward newcomers (especially those using short-term rentals) is tense.
Alternative neighborhoods to consider:
Sant Andreu: More affordable, well-connected, with a strong local feel
Poble Sec: A good balance of centrality and community
Hospitalet: Technically outside the city, but metro-accessible and often overlooked
Badalona: A bit further, but beachy and relaxed, with better rental prices
"Some neighborhoods have been transformed almost entirely by digital nomads, tourists, and investors," the NYT article notes.
Tip: Avoid apartments listed on Airbnb that claim to be "long-term" unless they have a registered lease contract.
📄 What You Need to Rent
Barcelona landlords are cautious and often require a lot of paperwork—especially from foreign tenants. Here’s what you’ll likely need:
NIE (or proof that you've started the application)
Passport or national ID
Proof of income (employment contract, bank statements, or freelance invoices)
Spanish bank account (optional but helpful)
References or a guarantor
One to two months’ deposit + first month’s rent
Tip for remote workers: If you’re self-employed or on a digital nomad visa, you may be asked to pay several months upfront or show proof of substantial savings.
💲 Long-Term vs. Short-Term Contracts (And the Legal Grey Zone)
Because of stricter laws around short-term rentals, some landlords are offering seasonal or "temporary" contracts to avoid legal limits.
Types of rental agreements:
Long-term (vivienda habitual): Strongest tenant protections. Default duration is 5–7 years.
Seasonal or temporary: Legal in certain cases but less stable and often overpriced.
What to watch for:
Listings that ask for cash or offer no formal lease
Agreements that fall under seasonal contracts but don’t clearly state why
Language barriers that obscure your rights
🚨 What Locals Are Dealing With (And Why It Matters)
“They’re transforming the city into a playground for the rich.” — quoted tenant in the NYT
Locals are organizing against evictions, mass tourism, and the conversion of entire buildings into luxury or tourist rentals. Some long-time residents have seen neighbors vanish overnight as foreign investors empty out apartments for profit.
How expats can be part of the solution:
Choose long-term leases through legal channels
Avoid Airbnb or "tourist" flats that violate local housing codes
Support neighborhood businesses and community events
Educate yourself about tenant rights in Catalonia
Moving abroad is exciting, but living responsibly in a city experiencing housing pressure is part of being a good neighbor.
✅ How to Actually Rent a Flat in Barcelona: Step-by-Step
Start your search early — ideally 4–6 weeks before your move
Use trusted platforms: Idealista, Fotocasa, Habitaclia
Have your documents ready: digital copies make everything easier
Translate listings: check the Spanish/Catalan versions for more options
Visit in person or use a relocation service if abroad
Ask questions: Is the lease registered? What’s the contract type?
Avoid red flags: No deposit before viewing. No cash deals.
💭 Final Thoughts
Yes, Barcelona is beautiful. But behind the charm is a city in flux. Housing is a flashpoint issue, and expats arriving unaware of the crisis risk making things harder—for themselves and others.
Being informed helps you:
Rent more responsibly
Avoid scams
Integrate respectfully
You’re not just renting an apartment. You’re becoming part of a community.
