Question
Rent in Spain: Idealista vs Spotahome vs Airbnb? Specifically for Madrid.
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
“With any of them, the key is to make sure they will allow you to register for the padron. Most Airbnbs won’t allow it. We tried at least 20 and gave up.”
“Spotahome has both companies and private landlords. Only private landlords will allow you to register for the padron.
Idealista is a complete mess! Don’t bother messaging companies—you need to actually call private landlords.
They receive so many messages that they don’t read them. Call via WhatsApp. If you speak Spanish, you will have an advantage, even better if you use a Spanish phone number.”
“Exactly, and even some private landlords on Spotahome won’t allow the padron. The way you phrase your request can make a big difference. We led with: We are on a one-year sabbatical and have a visa that requires us to register on the padron.
Many locals don’t understand the Spain Non-Lucrative Visa, and they assume unemployed means no income. When we framed it as a sabbatical, they understood and knew we were coming from a high-paying field.”
“Idealista is a classifieds website, not a transactional platform. You cannot rent directly using your card, and listing verification is minimal, allowing duplicates.”
Spotahome is only for rentals of one month or more (typically 3, 6, 9, or 12 months). It is transactional—you can rent properties online using your card. Properties and landlords are usually verified, and there is an availability calendar.
Airbnb is a short-term rental platform, typically for a few nights. It is also transactional, allowing payment via card with an availability calendar.
You can use Spotahome to rent apartments (or rooms) for several months in most Spanish cities. The entire process is done online, with no need to visit the property. Here you can get a discount if you use Spotahome’s service.“
Related article: Rent in Spain: Can Spotahome Leases Be Used for Empadronamiento?
Conclusion
According to Spainguru’s Facebook group members, finding a rental in Madrid depends on your needs and approach:
- Idealista is a classified ads site, not a transactional platform. Direct communication with landlords (preferably by phone or WhatsApp) is essential.
- Spotahome allows online bookings for medium- to long-term rentals, with private landlords being the best option for padron registration.
- Airbnb is best for short-term stays, but rarely allows padron registration.
- Communication matters—framing your stay as a “sabbatical” rather than a “non-lucrative visa stay” may increase landlord acceptance.
