By Max Milano (Travel Writer)
There is a reason why so many bright-eyed expats arrive in Spain full of hope and sunshine, only to end up neck-deep in housing disasters, unread WhatsApp messages, and real estate contracts that look like they were written during the Inquisition. One minute, you’re sipping cañas and daydreaming about tile work. Next, you’re begging a landlord in Valencia to explain why he wants 12 months of rent in cash and a photocopy of your soul.
If you are new to Spain and trying to find a place to live, especially in big cities like Valencia, Barcelona, or Malaga, let’s not sugarcoat it. The market is messy. The landlords can be difficult. The paperwork will make you want to move to Portugal instead.
Here at GuiriGuru, we hear it all. Readers send us horror stories. They ask how to rent without being scammed, how to buy without being bankrupt, and whether it is normal for an apartment to come with broken plumbing and a roommate you didn’t ask for. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to the most common perils of the Spanish real estate market so you can get that home by the sea in sunny spain with the minimal of hassle (or at least avoid the mayor ones).
Why Smart Expats Head for the Beach
For all the Americans, Brits, Irish, Canadians, and other English-speaking folks trying to survive the Spanish housing market, here is the first piece of advice. Get out of the city. Head for the beach.
Why? Because of Madrid.
Every summer, thousands of Madrileños abandon their overheated capital and flood the Mediterranean coast like it’s a national emergency. These families don’t rent. They own small summer apartments in towns like Gandia, El Puig, Cullera, and Alcossebre. These apartments are not luxury villas with rooftop pools. They are functional, modest, and, most importantly, completely empty from September through June.
Once the summer ends, the coast becomes a real estate goldmine for long-term renters. You can live a five-minute walk from the beach for a third of what you would pay in central Valencia. The sea is still there. The cafés are still there. But the crowds and crazy prices are gone. It is like Spain turns down the volume just for you.
How to Live Near the City Without Paying City Prices
You don’t have to give up city life entirely. You just need to be smart about location. If you love Valencia, try Gandia, Cullera, Alboraya, or Port Saplaya. If Barcelona is calling, look at Badalona, Castelldefels, or Vilanova i la Geltrú. If Malaga is on your vision board, consider Rincón de la Victoria or Torrox instead. These towns are connected to their nearby cities by train or bus, so you can still work, study, or party downtown. You just do not have to pay downtown prices or listen to scooters screaming under your window at 3 a.m.
A Tax Proposal That Could Wreck Your Real Estate Dreams
Before you fall in love with coastal apartments and rush to buy it, you need to know about the potential pitfalls. One of these pitfalls is that Spain is currently debating a new law that would impose a 100 percent tax on non-EU resident property buyers. The law is still being discussed, and legal associations are fighting it. Most locals doubt that it will pass, and if it does, local tax accountants are already debating a few relatively easy ways of legally circumventing it by either becoming a resident or creating a company in Spain that then buys the property on your behalf (legal tax circumvention is a Spanish Olympic sport).
Scams, Spoofed Listings, and the Fake Airbnb Trick
Now for the fun part. Let’s discuss the most common scams targeting English-speaking expats seeking to buy or rent in Spain.
Idealista and Fotocasa are the most popular property portals in Spain. They are also a playground for scammers. One classic scheme involves Airbnb. You find a beautiful apartment on Idealista. You send a message. The “owner” responds with a link to an Airbnb listing. It looks real. The photos are professional. The price is reasonable. But the site is fake. The moment you pay, the page disappears, and your money goes with it.
This is not paranoia. It happens. Never pay before seeing a property in person. Never trust someone who insists on handling everything online because they are “traveling abroad” or “working on an oil rig.” Always pay with a credit card that offers fraud protection. If someone asks for a bank transfer, especially to a non-Spanish bank account, walk away.
The Nightmare of Okupas
Once you dodge the scammers, you still need to dodge the Okupas. This is a uniquely Spanish problem that can become your worst nightmare. Okupas are squatters who move into empty properties and claim residence. Once they are inside, it is incredibly difficult and expensive to get them out. Spanish eviction laws are not fast. Some squatters stay for months, even years. They often know the law better than the owner does.
If you are looking at a flat and the price seems too good to be true, ask why. Ask if there are current occupants. Ask what the eviction history is. Do not assume a pretty photo equals a problem-free property. Many real estate agents do sell Okupa-occupied properties at a below-market rate. This is perfectly legal as long as it’s disclosed to the buyer. Then the Okupas become your problem. Some buyers find this a good way to acquire a desirable property at a below-market rate. But beware. Okupas will demand a hefty payment to vacate, and the old baseball bat in the middle of the night trick is illegal in Spain.
Why You Should Avoid Half-Finished Developments
Another thing to avoid is half-built developments. Spain has entire neighborhoods that were started before the 2008 crash and never finished. These zombie urbanizations may look nice in pictures, but they often lack basic services, such as garbage collection or water pressure. Unless you enjoy living in a ghost town, stick to established areas.
Buying Property? Hire a Lawyer First
Now, let’s say you are ready to buy. You have your NIE number, your bank account, and your Pinterest board full of exposed beams. Before you put down a deposit, hire a lawyer. Not your agent’s lawyer. Not your landlord’s friend. Hire your own independent legal expert, preferably someone bilingual, who understands property law in Spain.
A good lawyer will check if the property has debts, if it was legally built, and if there are any weird clauses buried in the fine print. You would not buy a car without checking the engine. Do not buy an apartment without checking the paperwork.
Renting Before You Buy Can Save You Money and Headaches
If you are not quite ready to buy, take your time. Consider a long-stay hotel. The RH chain has options all along the coast, often with meals included and great rates in the off-season. You will have a base while exploring neighborhoods, meeting agents, and figuring out whether you’re more of a paella person or a fideuà fanatic.
What Makes a Real Estate Agent Worth Trusting
Now, about real estate agents. In Spain, they come in all shapes and styles. Some are saints. Others make you wish you had stayed in your overpriced rental in Queens.
A good agent should respond promptly to your messages, understand the local market, and be knowledgeable about working with foreigners. They should be transparent about their fees and registered with the official real estate association known as API.
Yes, agents can work for buyers, although it is not a common practice. A buyer’s agent can help you find properties, negotiate, and even warn you when something feels off. Always agree on the commission in writing and always check their references. If they seem more interested in closing a deal than answering your questions, thank them and keep walking.
Rental Contracts in Spain Are a Different Animal
If you are renting instead of buying, you will need a passport or NIE, proof of income, and usually a deposit equal to one or two months’ rent. Some landlords ask for six months or more upfront if you do not have a Spanish job contract. It is not illegal, but it is definitely not ideal. You can try negotiating or exploring other options. There is no shortage of empty apartments along the coast during the off-season.
Speaking of seasons, if you’re flexible, renting from October to May is your golden opportunity. That is when landlords are more relaxed, prices are lower, and you are less likely to be competing with German yoga instructors who just discovered Jávea.
When you do sign a contract, read it carefully. Spanish leases can be tricky. Some have automatic renewal clauses. Others sneak in community fees or water bills. If you do not understand a term, ask a lawyer or someone who has lived here longer than you. Do not assume your landlord is going to explain everything. That is not how this game works.
The GuiriGuru Bottom Line
Moving to Spain can be wonderful. The weather is better. The food is better. The wine is definitely better. But the real estate market is full of surprises, and not all of them are pleasant. If you take your time, stay cautious, and surround yourself with good professionals, you can find a place that feels like home. Perhaps it’s a beach flat in Gandia. Maybe it’s a mountain house near Alicante. It could be a studio in an old town with a view of the neighbor’s laundry. Wherever it is, it can be yours.
And when you need help finding your ideal home in Spain, GuiriGuru is here. We work with vetted, bilingual real estate agents and lawyers. We offer translation support. And we know which neighborhoods will make you feel welcome and which ones will make you want to hide under the bed.
Spain is beautiful. The system is messy. But with a bit of help and a lot of common sense, you can live well, buy smart, and learn to love bureaucracy. Or at least survive it with your bank account intact.
Stay tuned to GuiriGuru for more Spain explorations and expat tips.
Max Milano is a travel writer and photographer based in Los Angeles, California, and Valencia, Spain. His latest photography book, Mexico City Noir, Life Under The Volcanoes, is Available on Amazon. His photographs are available at MaxMilanoPix.
