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What to Expect When Renting in Barcelona and the Maresme

Scenic aerial view of perfectly aligned green vineyard rows on the rolling hills of El Maresme under a clear sky

In Barcelona and the rest of Spain, rental payments and guarantees are often split into a few different categories that can be confusing because landlords and agencies use terms differently.

Here’s the usual structure:

1. Reservation payment (“reserva”)

This is money you pay before signing the lease to take the apartment off the market.

Typical amount:

  • Often 1 month’s rent

  • Sometimes a smaller fixed fee

What it does:

  • Shows commitment

  • Prevents the landlord from renting to someone else while paperwork is prepared

What happens to the money:

  • Usually it becomes part of:

    • the security deposit, or

    • the first month’s rent

Important:

  • You should receive a written reservation agreement (“documento de reserva”)

  • It should clearly state:

    • refund conditions

    • what happens if the owner backs out

    • what happens if you back out

    • when the lease will be signed

Risk:

  • If you cancel, you may lose it

  • If the landlord cancels, they should normally return it

2. Fianza (legal security deposit)

The fianza is the official legal deposit required under Spanish rental law.

For normal housing contracts (“vivienda habitual”):

  • Usually 1 month of rent

For temporary rentals (“temporada”):

  • Often 2 months or more in practice

The important part:
The landlord is normally required to deposit this money with the regional housing authority in Barcelona / Catalonia (through INCASÒL in Catalonia).

Purpose:

  • Covers unpaid rent

  • Damage beyond normal wear

  • Contract breaches

At the end:

  • Returned after inspection if everything is fine

  • Landlord may deduct justified damages

This is the official regulated deposit.

3. Additional deposit (“depósito adicional”)

Separate from the fianza.

Landlords often ask for:

  • 1-2 extra months

  • especially for foreigners, freelancers, students, or temporary contracts

This money:

  • Usually stays with the landlord directly

  • Is NOT the legally regulated “fianza”

Purpose:

  • Extra protection against risk

  • Common when tenants lack Spanish payroll history (“nómina”)

Reach out to us at info@coastal-living.es for any advice. We are here to support you.