How to Find an Amazing Apartment in Spain and Avoid Scams

I'm in love with my new home!

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When I first visited Spain in March 2023, I had a serious concern. There weren’t many available apartments in my price range, and that worsened when I added a pet to my lease. I left Spain feeling more certain than ever that I would move to this beautiful country—but wondering how on Earth I would afford it.

Fast-forward to a year and a half later when I moved to Barcelona. This time, I had a tech job on a FAANG contract. Despite the larger budget, I felt intimidated by the apartment prices, and the city had even fewer apartments accepting cats. I knew it would be like that before I arrived, but the situation became urgent when I lost my job.

As I searched desperately for an apartment, I encountered countless scams. I would find a beautiful apartment and then later get a warning from Idealista or submit a warning myself after discovering it wasn’t real.

So, what can you do to have a less stressful apartment hunt if you plan to move to Spain—or to any other area with homes in high demand? I’ll start with some home-hunting tips and then end with a quick rundown of how I spotted and avoided scams.

1. Set a clear monthly budget.

In Spain, there’s a home for any reasonable budget. I have a friend paying €400 monthly to split a tiny apartment with his landlord in Madrid. I know someone else paying €3,500 monthly in a luxury Barcelona apartment where things constantly break. Most people I’ve spoken to pay €850-€1,100 for their studios and 1-bedroom apartments with no bills included.