I am an expat and I want to rent an apartment in Girona for a long period (11-12 months). What steps do I need to follow?

Renting an apartment in Girona as an expatriate for a long stay is becoming increasingly common. Below, we explain the most common steps and requirements to do so successfully:

1. Have the documentation ready

• Passport or NIE (Foreigner Identification Number)
• Proof of income or employment contract (can be international)
• Bank account number (Spanish or foreign, as the case may be)
• In some cases, references from previous rentals

2. Seasonal contract

For 11 or 12 month rentals, a seasonal contract is used, not a permanent housing contract. This implies:

• It is for temporary stays (work, studies, etc.)
• It is not always possible to register at the address
• The rights and obligations are different from a regular rental

3. Deposit and payments

• A month's legal bond is required
• If the apartment is furnished, it is common to ask for an additional month as a guarantee.
• The first month is also paid in advance.
• In some cases, extra guarantees may be requested if you do not have a Spanish salary (guarantee, advanced months, etc.)
• Check if the expenses (electricity, water, internet...) are included or not

4. When to start looking?

Most landlords prefer to rent on short notice (between 2 and 4 weeks before the start of the contract). If you have a clear arrival date, we recommend starting your search a month or less in advance.

5. Current market situation

At the time of writing this document, and given the extremely tense market situation and the erratic policies of the Spanish government on housing, many owners prefer to make temporary rentals instead of regular rentals of more than a year.

Furthermore, renting to expatriates may be more attractive to landlords, as, as they are not registered, the rights associated with habitual residence are more limited, which offers them more legal security. This does not mean that the expatriate has less legal protection, as long as they comply with the conditions of the signed contract.

6. Other useful tips

• Even if you don't have a NIE, you can start the search; some agencies will help you manage it.
• If you need to register, check if the contract and the owner allow it.
• At ImmoGirona we will assist you in English, French, Catalan and Spanish . We help you throughout the rental process!