For many people, the biggest downside of renting is the ongoing cost without ever gaining ownership. That’s why many prefer to buy, choosing to pay off a mortgage instead. However, buying a home requires a major financial commitment—something not everyone can manage, especially with mortgage interest rates still high. So, what are the alternatives if you're looking to get on the property ladder in Spain in 2025? Rent-to-buy properties in Spain could offer the perfect solution.
Rent-to-buy in Spain, also known as rent-to-own, is a popular option for those who want to purchase a property but do not have the funds to do so immediately. In Spain, this type of agreement is called "alquiler con opción a compra". If you buy a property in Spain on a rental-purchase basis, you get the best of both worlds: you have all the comfort of paying regular rental monthly payments with the possibility of paying the rest of the sale price usually after about 5 years of living in the property.
Whether it's rent-to-buy opportunities in the Costa del Sol, including Málaga and Marbella, or in cities like Barcelona, Tenerife, and beyond, idealista offers a wide range of rent-to-buy properties across Spain. Check out our selection and try before you buy.
- Cheap
- Expensive
- Small
- Big
- All provinces
- A Coruña
- Balears (Illes)
- Guadalajara
- Guipúzcoa
- Jaén
- La Rioja
- Las Palmas
- Madrid
- Málaga
- Pontevedra
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Tarragona
- València
Málaga keeps its promise and suspends new tourist accommodation licences for three years
Málaga has taken a major step to balance its booming tourism sector with the local housing market. The city council has confirmed that it will suspend new licences for tourist accommodation for the next three years, following a promise made by Mayor Francisco de la Torre. This comes as part of a wider update to Málaga’s General Urban Development Plan (PGOU) and will remain in effect until new regulations are approved.
Differences between tourist rentals and seasonal lets in Spain
Discover the key differences between tourist rentals and seasonal lets in Spain, from legal requirements and contract lengths to taxation and tenant rights. Whether you're a property owner or tenant, understanding these distinctions is essential for making informed decisions in the Spanish rental market.
Community of owners to approve new Tourist Licences
Last 3rd of April 2025, Spain’s Horizontal Property Act was amended. This is the law that rules on community of owners in Spain.
Booking removes 4,000 Spain holiday rentals to comply with consumer laws
Booking.com has removed 4,093 tourist accommodation listings in Spain, most of which were in the Canary Islands, following a request from the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and the 2030 Agenda.
Andalusia to create police force to inspect illegal tourist flats
The President of the Andalusian Regional Government, Juanma Moreno, has announced the creation of the "Titan Group," a unit within the national police dedicated to monitoring and inspecting illegal tourist accommodation.
Could holiday rentals disappear in Spain?
Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni has announced that the city will withdraw all 10,101 tourist accommodation licences by November 2028. The aim, according to the city council, is to free up homes for residential use and improve access to housing. However, the measure has sparked swift backlash from the sector, which sees it as a blow to a well-established economic model.
Country houses exempt from Spain's new tourist rental register
Rural houses already registered on regional tourism registries are exempt from the new Single Register of Short-Term Rentals starting 1 July. This was confirmed by the Spanish Rural Tourism Association (Asetur) after meetings with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Agenda.