Temporary housing costs and seasons

It is for anyone thinking about, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. You will know what a bridge stay will really cost and when to book it to pay less.

Start with "What a bridge stay really costs and the three ways people end up paying twice". It shows the whole picture first: which payments fall when, which ones you get back, and where overlapping with your lease leads to double rent. Then move on to the city prices, the season and event timing, and the extras and discounts.

This topic does not cover your first-year budget, utility start-up or long-term rent levels.

Key rules

• Lease deposit: The legal deposit for a habitual-residence lease is one month's rent.
• Extra guarantee: On habitual-residence leases (the standard first 5 years, or 7 years if the landlord is a company), any additional guarantee beyond the one-month deposit is capped at two months' rent.
• Coastal peak: Peak season in coastal and island towns runs from July to August.
• Deposit return: The landlord must return your deposit within one month of you handing back the keys, with legal interest payable on any late return.
• Cheapest big cities: Seville and Valencia are the cheapest of the five main cities, and Barcelona and Madrid the dearest.
• Peak events: Summer and big events can add 30-100% or more, and can double hotel prices in Valencia and Seville.

Temporary housing costs and seasons: the whole process, step by step

• See the whole picture first: which bridge payments are refundable and where overlap with your lease means paying twice (read: What a bridge stay really costs and the three ways people end up paying twice): Before you start planning dates

• Build a budget by city and format: hotel, aparthotel, tourist apartment or furnished monthly let (read: What temporary housing costs in Spain's main cities): Before you choose where to stay

• Check your dates against peaks and festivals, and the September student rush (read: How seasons and events change temporary housing prices and availability): Before you fix your arrival date

• If you are heading to the coast or islands, plan around summer prices and the winter quiet (read: Coastal and island bridge stays: summer prices and winter quiet): Before you search; peak season runs July to August

• Book a peak-period stay (Semana Santa, Fallas, Feria de Abril, San Fermín, Mobile World Congress, coast in July to August), choosing a free-cancellation rate: 3-6 months ahead, or 6-9 months for San Fermín and for MWC hotels

• Book a summer coastal stay, or a September city stay: 2-3 months ahead for summer coast; 1-2 months ahead for September cities

• Book an off-peak bridge stay of one or two months: 2-4 weeks ahead is often enough

• Negotiate a monthly price, ideally to fill a gap in the host's calendar (read: How to get a better monthly price on a longer stay): After you shortlist places; low season is the easiest time

• Add up tourist tax, cleaning fees, utilities, deposit and cancellation terms before you pay (read: Tourist tax, cleaning fees and other extras on temporary stays): Before you confirm the booking

• Get your deposit back and check for overlapping nights with your lease: The landlord must return your deposit within one month of you handing back the keys

Documents you may need

• Recent payslips showing income of about 3 times the monthly rent — What a bridge stay really costs and the three ways people end up paying twice

• The written lease contract showing the start date — What a bridge stay really costs and the three ways people end up paying twice

• A bank guarantee — What a bridge stay really costs and the three ways people end up paying twice

Temporary housing costs and seasons: questions that cross several articles

How much more will I pay if I arrive in a peak week?

Short lets can cost 30-100% or more extra in peak weeks, and some events double prices. Read "How seasons and events change temporary housing prices and availability" for the dates, and "What temporary housing costs in Spain's main cities" for base prices.

Does booking early on a free-cancellation rate protect me from paying twice?

Mostly, but not fully. Peak dates often bring stricter terms, such as longer notice or a non-refundable deposit of 30-50%. Read "What a bridge stay really costs and the three ways people end up paying twice" and "Tourist tax, cleaning fees and other extras on temporary stays".

Is a monthly stay cheaper in every season?

No. In July to August, coastal owners favour weekly holiday lets, so monthly stays are scarce or priced near holiday rates. From October, monthly deals are easier to find. Read "Coastal and island bridge stays: summer prices and winter quiet" and "How to get a better monthly price on a longer stay".

Which is cheaper per night: hotel, aparthotel or tourist apartment?

Tourist apartments and aparthotels usually come out a little below a 3-4 star hotel, and weekly or monthly aparthotel stays are often discounted 10-30%. Cleaning fees are usually added to apartments. Read "What temporary housing costs in Spain's main cities" and "Tourist tax, cleaning fees and other extras on temporary stays".

Peak uplifts and cancellation terms are general market patterns; confirm the exact terms with the host or platform.