Question
“I arrived two weeks ago under a Spain Non Lucrative Visa and still no luck finding a long term rental. What do I do if I don’t find something before the end of the month? What should I do?”
Answers
These are the answers of the Spanish Non Lucrative Visa group members:
“Depending where you are it can be extremely difficult. You need to look at it as you are marketing yourself! Get with a gestor or agency as they can help and do not lead with ‘I’m on a visa’ or ‘I am retired.’ They will ask what is your source of income and you respond with something that relates to passive income without outright saying it. Like ‘I have a contract for XYZ income at XYZ per month.’
But you need to have bank statements showing your passive income! Even better if you open a Spanish account. BBVA and N26 offer non-resident accounts for those without a TIE. Drafting a letter explaining your income, or using a Social Security or VA letter, can also help.
The price point also matters. If you look for something priced like a local would pay, landlords may ignore your special situation. But higher-priced apartments often sit vacant, so landlords are more willing to negotiate. This gives you an opportunity to negotiate rent for the first year and revert to the listed rate afterward.
Landlords are picky because rental laws favor tenants. Contracts are often 5 to 7 years, with tenants able to leave after 6 months. Offering higher initial rent or flexibility helps.”
“We found N26 to be the easiest bank to open an account with. We did it before arriving using our Airbnb address and NIE from the visa. It’s good for transfers with Wise.
However, because it’s online-only, you can’t get stamped statements, which may be an issue for renewals. Once we got our TIE, we opened an account at BBVA—resident accounts with no fees.
We set up international direct deposit from the US DOD. To open accounts, non-residents need a passport and NIE; residents need a passport and TIE.”
“BBVA has lots of different accounts. We went with one that has no fees as long as you keep a 600 euro balance. We opened checking and savings. Wise hasn’t worked well for us—transfers were slow and customer service unhelpful. BBVA has been much more reliable.”
“You just have to keep looking. If you don’t speak Spanish well, it may be worth getting an agency or relocation agent. A bank guarantee (aval bancario) might help secure a rental.”
“I was not prepared for how difficult it is. Many landlords want tenants with a Spanish work contract for insurance purposes. Even with plenty of savings, you might be rejected. Expats in big cities like Valencia, Seville, Madrid, and Barcelona still struggle.
We had better luck with international agencies like Remax and Coldwell and ended up renting from a landlord used to dealing with expats.”
“It took us about 3.5 weeks to find a place. We kept extending our Airbnb—luckily it was off-season and available.”
“With regards to the padrón and TIE, you can use a friend’s padrón. They’ll need to go with you to the appointment and bring a utility bill or title deed. It worked for me.”
“Yes, I did that for a friend—three of us went (translator, owner, and tenant) and it was easy.”
“We had the same problem because we have a dog. We offered €20 more and rental insurance and were accepted. The apartment was unfurnished, which helped.”
“The Valencia rental market is tough. Network as much as possible. The more cash you have, the easier it gets.”
“Maybe rent a mobile home in a residential campground.”
“Consider different areas. We have a rental becoming available near Villena outside Alicante. It’s well connected by train.”
“It took us 3 months—we finally paid 12 months rent upfront.”
“In Madrid, I used aProperties Real Estate. Their fee was one month’s rent plus VAT, but it was worth it to avoid scams.”
“Use Facebook Marketplace too.”
“You can’t use an Airbnb lease for the padrón. For that, you need a 6 to 12-month lease signed by both parties, with proof of payment.”
“In Andalusia, some agencies say a 3-month Airbnb works for visa application, but it won’t work for padrón.”
“You need the padrón to get your TIE. Schedule your TIE appointment within 30 days of arriving. Get a 3-month refundable Airbnb to buy time.”
Conclusion
The Spainguru community confirms that finding long-term housing in Spain after arriving on a Spain non lucrative visa can be unexpectedly difficult. Landlords prioritize tenants with Spanish employment contracts due to insurance requirements and tenant-friendly rental laws. Many newcomers struggle even with sufficient savings, and some resort to paying several months upfront or negotiating rent terms creatively.
Using agencies, offering slightly higher rent, and securing a local bank account (like BBVA or N26) can improve your odds. However, online banks like N26 may not be suitable for long-term document needs like visa renewal. A brick-and-mortar bank account and a properly structured lease are also necessary for steps like registering your padrón and applying for the TIE.
Flexibility, preparation, and local guidance are key. Many found success through persistence, networking, and being strategic about how they presented their financial situation.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the contributions and experiences of Spainguru community members and is no legal advice. Consider consulting a legal expert for personalized guidance.
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