Whether you are looking for a room to rent in Madrid or an entire apartment to share with other international students or local Spanish students – it is important to understand how student accommodation in Madrid works. This knowledge will help to avoid potential issues like scams. This way you ensure that you do not start your Madrid experience on the wrong foot.
We know that it is not easy to start your hunt for the ideal student room in Madrid. To make it easier for you, we have compiled the most important information on student housing in Madrid as well as many useful hints & tips that we strongly recommend you read before reserving a room. In our student accommodation Madrid guideline below we will answer many of your questions like:
- What different types of student rooms in Madrid are available for rent?
- Where can I search for student apartments in Madrid and how to avoid potential scam?
- What is a reasonable price for renting a room in Madrid?
- What is the best neighbourhood to stay in Madrid?
- How to find roommates to share an apartment for rent in Madrid? What is the difference between renting a room in Madrid in a student residence or a shared apartment?
- Which rental agencies, student residences and housing booking platforms are the most trustworthy?
- What do you need to know about your housing contract before signing it?
Your list of questions is probably even longer, but don’t get nervous and stressed, because we are here to help you answer all of them. Simply keep reading this guide and check out the content overview to click on the topics you are most interested in. Each chapter contains relevant information regarding student housing in Madrid and is intended to help you find the perfect place to stay during your time in Madrid.
Furthermore, in our FAQ section at the bottom of this ’Student Housing Madrid’ guide, we will clarify some of the most common questions and doubts regarding how and where to rent a room or an apartment in Madrid.
1. Student Rooms & Student Apartments in Madrid – Getting Started
Madrid is a vibrant city with an array of fun things to do, both day and night. It’s filled with lots of great neighbourhoods, mouth-watering cuisine and a great nightlife scene. Madrid’s amazing public transport system makes getting around easy and convenient and the Spanish healthcare system is one of the best in Europe. This city is perfect for those relocating to study abroad, find an internship or start a new job.
Moving to Madrid is definitely a great choice. During that move, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is deciding where and how you want to live. When it comes to finding the perfect apartment for rent in Madrid, most young internationals choose to rent a room in a shared apartment or to rent an apartment in Madrid together with others. Another popular option to look for student housing in Madrid is renting a room in one of the many student residences in Madrid. This option however is a lot more expensive than renting a single room in a shared apartment.
The cost to rent a room in a shared apartment in Madrid ranges currently from 300€ to 700€ per month depending mostly on the area you would like to live in as well as the style of the flat itself. The average rate for renting a room runs around 475€/month. Be sure to always check if utilities (known here as “gastos“) are included in the monthly rent, or if they require additional payment. Both types of rental contracts are very common in Madrid.
Throughout this guide we will provide you with detailed information and recommendations for student housing options, how to find your room to rent and what to be aware of when it comes to signing your contract.
Firstly, we do recommend you start your search online before traveling to Madrid. The reason being that student accommodation in Madrid is in high demand basically any time of the year. However this is especially true from August to February as many international students or young professionals relocating to Madrid rent their room online before arriving to the city. Resulting in most of the best offers being reserved and taken very early.
When searching online, it is recommendable to rent a room through a trusted rental agency or a secure housing in Madrid search platform – although they typically charge a commission rate of up to one month of rent. Skip ahead for a list of popular rental agencies as well as secure housing search platforms offering student rooms and student apartments for rent in Madrid.
That being said, let’s get started by having a look at all the most recommended neighbourhoods where young internationals typically rent a room or apartment for their time in Madrid.
Important: The Citylife team has collected & compiled the information on this page via intense research and investigation. It does not replace your own research!
Are you looking to rent an apartment in Madrid for a short-term period? The most popular option with a great selection of apartments for rent in Madrid centre is airbnb.com.
1.1 Madrid’s Most popular Neighbourhoods at a Glance
The decision of where to live in Madrid depends mainly on your preferences and your available budget. Most young internationals prefer to live in one of the centric neighbourhoods described below as they are very safe and well connected to the public transport system. Neighbourhoods like Malasaña, Chueca, Huertas, Sol, Opera, Gran Vía and La Latina, to just name a few, offer great lifestyle options from leisure and entertainment venues, such as shops, cafes, bars, restaurants and discos to a great variety of theaters, art galleries, museums, parks, markets and libraries.
