Should I buy or rent a home in Spain?
If you have not spent a lot of time in Spain, you should rent before even thinking about buying. We asked expats there about the buy vs. rent decision...
"Buying a home in Spain can be a good investment if you are planning a long-term stay there. However, it is important to consider the costs associated with buying a home, such as taxes, maintenance expenses and any potential renovation costs, as well as your income and savings. Ultimately, renting is a better option if you are not sure how long you are planning to stay in Spain or if you are looking for more flexibility. Renting also offers potential tax advantages. You should carefully consider all these factors before deciding whether to buy or rent a home in Spain," explained one expat living in Spain.

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With over 40 years of professional experience, Balcells Group provides legal advice on immigration, business, real estate, and tax. They help individuals, companies, investors, students, entrepreneurs, highly-qualified professionals, digital nomads, and more, to enjoy successful law processes in Spain by guiding their clients every step of the way. They speak Spanish, English, Catalan and Russian.
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With over 40 years of professional experience, Balcells Group provides legal advice on immigration, business, real estate, and tax. They help individuals, companies, investors, students, entrepreneurs, highly-qualified professionals, digital nomads, and more, to enjoy successful law processes in Spain by guiding their clients every step of the way. They speak Spanish, English, Catalan and Russian.
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Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
"We rented an apartment. It was not difficult. We went to a rental agency, they showed us apartments and we chose the one we wanted. The agent gets a commission but that's the only way I know of to rent an apartment here in Salamanca," said another expat in Salamanca, Spain.
Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to Spain?
- Where should I setup a bank account in Spain?
- Will I be able to find a job in Spain?
- What is life like in Spain?
- What do expats in Spain appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in Spain?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Spain accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Spain like?
- What are healthcare services like in Spain?
- What are medical services in Spain like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Spain?
- What are emergency services like in Spain?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in Spain?
- How are local medical facilities in Spain?
- As a foreigner living in Spain, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?
Should I buy or rent a home in Spain?
If you live in Spain, newcomers to Spain would love to hear your answer to this question.
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.