Eight of the ten places with the highest pressure on housing supply in the rental market are in the towns and cities on the outskirts of the two major Spanish capitals, according to the idealista study. Fuenlabrada (€840/month), Getafe (€899), Santa Coloma de Gramanet (€929) and Hospitalet de Llobregat (€1,017) are the main examples of how the metropolitan area of Barcelona (€1,645/month) and Madrid (€1,523) continue to monopolise the rental demand.
Vitoria (€922/month) is the only provincial capital that appears in the top 10 most sought-after towns and cities to rent in the fourth quarter of 2023, and together with Arona (€1,234), on the island of Tenerife, they are the only ones beyond Madrid and Barcelona's influence.
Along with the four cities already mentioned in the Madrid and Barcelona area, other neighbouring cities such as Mostoles (€907 /month) or Alcala de Henares (€855), and Terrassa (€850) or Badalona (€1,195) are still in the top 10. However, around Barcelona, more towns still appear with higher relative demand than the Catalan capital itself, such as Manresa (€679), Sabadell (€954) or Mataró (€955).
The two major Spanish cities appear in 17th and 18th place in the quarterly ranking of rental demand compiled by idealista/data, idealista's proptech, which provides information for a professional audience to facilitate strategic decision-making in Spain, Italy and Portugal. It uses all the idealista database parameters in each country and other public and private data sources to offer valuation, investment, recruitment and market analysis services.
Madrid and Barcelona are not the only examples where places close to a provincial capital are more in demand. This applies to Torrent (€968/month) and Valencia (€1,238), with a difference of more than ten positions. And the same is true of Reus (€711) and Calafell (€907), ahead of Tarragona (€847).
And although they are no longer among the top positions, there are other regions where this phenomenon may be observed. Dos Hermanas (€742) also narrowly beats Seville (€878) in terms of relative demand. The same occurs with Elche (€832) and Torrevieja (€749) over Alicante (€1,033) or between Jerez de la Frontera (€669) and Cadiz (€818).
Palma to ban all new holiday rentals
The mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez, has announced his intention to prohibit any new tourist rentals across the entire municipality of the Balearic capital.
Work begins on 109 affordable rental homes in the heart of Málaga
Lagoom Living has begun demolition work on seven buildings in Málaga’s Lagunillas neighbourhood, in the heart of the city, where it plans to construct a residential complex comprising 109 affordable rental homes. Scheduled for completion in December 2027, the development will revitalise currently derelict or disused pieces of land and buildings located near the iconic Plaza de la Merced.
22 people compete for each room that comes on the market in Spain
Soaring rents and fierce competition are pushing many people towards room rentals. On average, 22 prospective tenants compete for each listing on idealista, though demand remains lower than for full homes. Palma (65) and San Sebastián (62) record the most enquiries per room, while among the largest markets, Barcelona (22) edges ahead of Madrid (20).
Foreign rental hotspots in Spain 2025: Balearics, Alicante and Málaga
Rental properties in the Balearic Islands (29.1%), Alicante (27.4%), Málaga (25.7%) and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (21.9%) are seeing strong international demand, each accounting for more than 20% of total rental interest in Q1, according to a study by idealista.
Everything you need to know about tenant guarantee insurance in Spain
When renting a home, it’s natural to have questions about the options that ensure peace of mind for both you and the landlord. This guide answers the most frequently asked questions about tenant guarantee insurance, a solution designed to protect you while giving your landlord confidence.
Tenant guarantee insurance in Spain
In the rental market, security and confidence are essential for landlords, agencies and tenants alike. That’s why idealista and Aserta are launching a new tenant guarantee insurance – an innovative, exclusive product designed to offer peace of mind and ensure balance for all parties.
idealista's rent revolution with first tenant rent guarantee insurance
Amid a rental market plagued by limited supply and soaring prices, idealista is introducing an innovative rental insurance policy for tenants. The plan covers up to 12 months of unpaid rent, along with water, electricity and gas bills, should the tenant be unable to pay. It also includes legal expenses related to eviction proceedings or claims for outstanding amounts, offering comprehensive protection in uncertain times.