Finding an Apartment to Rent in Barcelona – Our Story (Summer 2022)

Finding a home in a new country is never easy — but I never imagined that renting an apartment in Barcelona would be this challenging.

We moved to Barcelona in mid-July 2022. As a family of four, we were looking for a 2–3-bedroom apartment, in good condition, not too far from our daughters’ school in Pedralbes. Seems reasonable, right?

Like many others, our search began with big dreams, probably fueled by too many Pinterest boards and Instagram reels — a high-ceiling apartment in a renovated building, maybe even with a pool, and ideally within walking distance of school. After 11 years in Luxembourg, where housing is expensive but the standards are high, we quickly realized we’d have to compromise if we wanted to stick to our budget.

Reality Check #1: Location vs. Budget

We quickly had to let go of Pedralbes. It just wasn’t within our budget. So we started looking in nearby neighborhoods that still offered good access to school — Les Corts, Sarrià, and Bonanova. Still pricey, and with limited availability.

Also, we discovered that finding a newly built apartment (in Barcelona, that means less than 10 years old) in these areas was nearly impossible. Most buildings are older, and while some are beautifully renovated, others are… let’s say “full of character.”

Reality Check #2: Timing Is Everything

We arrived in mid-July — and if you know Barcelona, you know the city shuts down in August. Most locals leave for vacation, real estate agents disappear, and new listings slow to a trickle. That meant we had a tight deadline: find something before August, or risk waiting until September. Oh, and one more thing — my husband really wanted a pool.

A Bit of Good News: We Had a Strong Profile

Thankfully, we had some things working in our favor. We both had stable jobs, and being a family with kids (ages 8 and 10) apparently made us more attractive to landlords. That took some pressure off when it came to being chosen — yes, chosen — because in Barcelona, getting an apartment can feel like applying for a job.

In many cases, you have to submit financial documents (payslips, work contracts, tax returns), and sometimes even write a letter to the owner explaining who you are and why you’re the ideal tenant. It’s not just about being able to pay — it’s about making a case. As a writer, that wasn’t too daunting for me, but it still felt quite intrusive.

Where We Looked: Idealista (And Everything Else)

The main platform for renting or buying in Spain is Idealista.com. There are smaller sites too, but we didn’t find anything valuable on them. We also tried the old-school approach — walking into local agencies — but quickly realized that the good listings are usually gone before they even reach a window.

So our strategy became:

• Set up Idealista alerts for our preferred areas.

• Call immediately when a new listing appeared (don’t just email — trust me).

• Be ready to visit on short notice, with all documents prepared.

More Surprises: Deposits and Fees

In theory, the legal deposit in Barcelona is two months' rent. In practice, we were often asked for three — and we even heard of cases where six months were requested. On top of that, there was still the agent’s fee (usually one month or 10% of annual rent), though that has thankfully changed — as of 2023, agency fees are now the landlord’s responsibility by law.

It was a lot. Financially and emotionally.

What’s your renting story? I’d love to read you in the comments.