How to find an apartment in Barcelona – a guide for students

It’s one of the best cities in the world, but Barcelona is notoriously difficult when it comes to flat-hunting.

So, how do you find an apartment in Barcelona? As experts in this beautiful city, we’ve got plenty of tips, tricks and golden nuggets of advice that can help you get quality, good value accommodation in Barcelona. 

Finding an apartment in Barcelona: FAQs

Is it hard to find an apartment in Barcelona?

It can be tricky, especially if you don’t speak the language. However, if you’re a student applying to take a TEFL course in Barcelona, your TEFL school should be able to help you find ideal accommodation.

It’s something that we take pride in at TEFL Iberia. Our accommodation service helps our students settle in as soon as they arrive in the city.

Is Barcelona rent expensive?

Rent in many parts of the city has exploded in recent years, owing in part to the increasing number of tourist apartments in the city.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. With Barcelona announcing a ban on Airbnb tourist rentals, there’s hope rents will begin to drop in the near future. Plus, there are plenty of great affordable options further out from the city centre.  

How much is it to rent a shared flat in Barcelona?

In the more popular central spots, it will set you back €450 and upwards a month to rent a small room, rising to €500 to €600 a month for medium-sized rooms. If you’re staying further outside the city, this could drop to around €300 for smaller rooms and €400 for medium-sized rooms. Keep in mind, Barcelona’s public transport system is reliable and affordable, making it easy to get about, even if you live outside the centre .

How much does it cost to rent your own flat in Barcelona?

Renting an entire property in Barcelona is expensive. A small studio flat in a less-popular area will set you back at least €800 a month, rising to over €1,200 for a spacious one bedroom apartment. For central areas, expect to pay €1,300 a month or more.

What documents do you need to rent a flat in Barcelona?

To rent an apartment in Barcelona, you’ll need the following:

• Proof of identity – usually a passport, NIE or TIE (Spanish ID)
• A letter issued by your TEFL school stating the duration and purpose of your stay in Barcelona
• A bank statement proving you have sufficient funds for the rent payments. This one is not mandatory but might help a lot
• A letter from your Spanish bank (bank statement for example) as proof that you have an account

How to find an apartment in Barcelona

The best websites to find an apartment in Barcelona

Forget Airbnb. These are some of the best platforms for finding an apartment in Barcelona.

Idealista

Barcelona’s best resource for flat-finding in the city, Idealista is the most used platform for locals and expats and has a huge range of apartments to choose from. 

Habitaclia

Similar to Idealista, Habitaclia is a widely used local platform that has a large selection of apartments across the city. It’s definitely worth using if you’re looking for an affordable apartment in the outer parts of the city. 

Spotahome

You’ll find a large range of apartments across the city on Spotahome, which is favoured by students in Barcelona. You can add search filters such as ‘perfect for students’ or ‘perfect for women’, as well as giving specific amenities.

Badi

A great platform for younger people who want to choose their housemates, Badi has lots of search filters such as male, female or non-binary, and you can even read a short bio about your prospective housemates.

Affordable neighbourhoods to live in Barcelona

Outside of the crowded central areas, there are plenty of affordable barrios (neighbourhoods) in the city. Here are some of the most popular.

Eixample

Separated into two distinct areas – esquerra and dreta (left and right) – this expansive grid-like district is teeming with great restaurants, cafes, parks and just about everything you could want. It’s popular with English teachers in the city and the transport links are excellent.

Sants-Montjuïc

You’ll find much more of a ‘local’ vibe in this working class area a few kilometres outside the city centre. It’s located near the fabulous Montjuïc hill, where you’ll find an array of wonderful parks and green, open spaces.

Gracia

Barcelona’s hippy district, Gracia is the place to be for art spaces, quirky cafes and dive bars. It might be slightly out of the way uphill from the beach and the centre and a little pricier than most districts, but it has a bohemian charm that makes it special.

Poble Sec

A small barrio that’s relatively central and has excellent transport links, Poble Sec has a quirky, rough and ready charm of its own – a charm that comes to the fore whenever there’s a street festival. Great bars and restaurants, with a peaceful vibe and big international community.

Sant Andreu

A quiet residential area, Sant Andreu is quite far outside the city centre but is well-connected by public transport and is far more affordable than central neighbourhoods.

Get an apartment in Barcelona with TEFL Iberia

As a TEFL student, the simplest way to find an apartment in Barcelona is through your TEFL school. 

Searching for ideal accommodation can be very tricky – not only are there fewer quality, affordable apartments than ever, but there are lots of agencies who are only too happy to take advantage of foreign students who have recently moved to the city.  

At TEFL Iberia, we offer a comprehensive accommodation service. As one of the best TEFL schools in Barcelona, we work hard to provide everything our students need to feel safe and secure in a home from home that’s affordable, comfortable and close to our campus.

For just €750 a week for the four weeks of study, you’ll enjoy your very own expansive room in a large, modern flat, sharing with two or three other people, usually students.  All bills will be covered, meaning electricity, gas, water and WiFi. 

After your course, you’ll be able to extend your stay at a reduced rate, depending on availability.

With everything covered, you can focus on living life to the fullest in one of the world’s best cities!

Want to know more about living and studying at TEFL Iberia? Find out more information on our accommodation service, check out our range of courses, and take a step closer to working and living in Spain!