Stage 5 · Housing and budget
Where to live and what it costs
Halls of residence, rooms and flats, what rental law says, and the monthly cost of living in Madrid and Barcelona.
Loading estimates
Stage 5 · Housing and budget
Halls of residence, rooms and flats, what rental law says, and the monthly cost of living in Madrid and Barcelona.
Programme tuition plus living costs estimated by the universities themselves and insurance. It is an order of magnitude, not a quote: some 2027/28 prices are not published yet.
Per year
€12,084 – €17,484
Over four years
€48,336 – €69,936
Excludes one-off university payments (application, reservation, registration), visa fees, flights, rental deposit and price rises.
Universities' own estimates range from €600 a month in Madrid to €2,240 at Esade.
el presupuesto mensual estimado de un estudiante en Barcelona oscila entre aproximadamente 1.350 € y 2.240 €, dependiendo del estilo de vida y del tipo de alojamiento elegido.Translation
the estimated monthly budget of a student in Barcelona ranges from approximately 1,350 € to 2,240 €, depending on lifestyle and the type of accommodation chosen.
L-esade-monthly-budgetLa tasa de variación anual del IPC del mes de agosto se situó en el 4,3%, siete décimas por encima de la registrada en julio. La tasa anual de la inflación subyacente disminuyó una décima, hasta el 2,9%. La variación mensual del índice general fue del 0,7%.Translation
The annual rate of change of the CPI (IPC) in August stood at 4.3%, seven tenths higher than that recorded in July. The annual rate of core inflation fell by one tenth, to 2.9%. The monthly change in the general index was 0.7%.
L-ipc-annual-aug26• Food 250 to 350 € •Personal expenses 160 to 220 € • Transport 60 to 80 € • Accommodation 250 to 500 € TOTAL: 720 to 1,200 €L-uab-monthly-totalThe approximate cost of living for a student in Madrid is between €600 and €1,200 a month (housing and living expenses), depending on the area and type of housing.L-uc3m-monthly-rangeTOTAL 800-950€ 950-1.250€Translation
TOTAL 800-950€ 950-1,250€
L-upf-totalHalls cost more than a room, but you have a contract from day one, and the hall issues an authorisation for the padrón.
Autorització d’empadronament de domicili col·lectiu , signada per la persona responsable de l’entitat i amb segell. Hi ha de constar el nom, l’adreça i el NIF de l’entitat.Translation
Authorisation for registration (empadronament) at a collective address, signed by the person responsible for the entity and stamped. It must state the entity's name, address and NIF.
L-bcn-alta-student-residenceP/C mensual habitación individual con WC 926,00 €Translation
Full board (P/C), monthly, single room with WC €926.00
L-uam-jlv-gradoLa reserva de plaza se hará efectiva cuando la persona solicitante realice el pago de 1.400 € (800Translation
The place reservation becomes effective when the applicant makes the payment of €1,400 (800
L-uc3m-depositsólo serán admitidas en régimen de pensión completa. El personal de PDI o PAS y personas estudiantes deTranslation
will only be admitted on a full-board basis. PDI or PAS staff and students of
L-uc3m-fullboard-firstPrecios por persona residente y mes, para estancias de un cuatrimestre o curso completo (10% IVATranslation
Prices per resident per month, for stays of one semester or a full academic year (10% VAT
L-uc3m-vatA room costs €250–400 in Madrid and €350–500 in Barcelona. View the place before paying.
Total Barcelona 1.137,35Translation
Total Barcelona 1,137.35
L-bcn-total-rent* In order to avoid frauds when looking for a flat, we always recommend visiting it in person before signing a contract or making any payment.L-ie-fraud-visitStudents who share an apartment in the centre of Madrid are likely to spend an average of about €400 a month for a room (housing only). On the other hand, in Getafe of Leganés , it is possible to find a room for around €250 a month.L-uc3m-room-centre-getafeHousing 350-500€ 500-800€L-upf-housingThe deposit is one month for residential lets and two for non-residential lets, which include seasonal ones. The RDL 26/2026 changes were repealed on 2 October 2026; in Catalonia, law 11/2025 has applied to seasonal and room rentals since 1 January 2026.
Llei 11/2025, de 29 de desembre, de mesures en matèria d'habitatge i urbanisme (PDF - 1,1 MB) D’aplicació als contractes de temporada i d'habitació formalitzats a partir de l’1 de gener de 2026.Translation
Law 11/2025, of 29 December, on housing and urban planning measures (PDF - 1.1 MB). Applicable to seasonal and room rental contracts concluded from 1 January 2026.
L-incasol-llei-11-2025será obligatoria la exigencia y prestación de fianza en metálico en cantidad equivalente a una mensualidad de renta en el arrendamiento de viviendas y de dos en el arrendamiento para uso distinto del de vivienda.Translation
the requirement and provision of a cash deposit (fianza) shall be mandatory, in an amount equivalent to one month's rent for the lease of dwellings and two for leases for uses other than as a dwelling.
L-lau-art36-fianzaSe deja sin efecto la modificación del apartado 2 por Resolución de 2 de octubre de 2026 que publica el Acuerdo del Congreso de los Diputados por el que se deroga el Real Decreto-ley 26/2026, de 29 de septiembre. Ref. BOE-A-2026-20526Translation
The amendment of section 2 is rendered void by the Resolution of 2 October 2026 publishing the Agreement of the Congress of Deputies repealing Royal Decree-law 26/2026, of 29 September. Ref. BOE-A-2026-20526
L-lau-art3-rdl26-voidedEn especial, tendrán esta consideración los arrendamientos de fincas urbanas celebrados por temporada, sea ésta de verano o cualquier otraTranslation
In particular, leases of urban properties entered into for a season, whether summer or any other, shall be considered as such
L-lau-art3-temporadaSi esta fuera inferior a cinco años, o inferior a siete años si el arrendador fuese persona jurídica, llegado el día del vencimiento del contrato, este se prorrogará obligatoriamente por plazos anuales hasta que el arrendamiento alcance una duración mínima de cinco añosTranslation
If this is less than five years, or less than seven years if the landlord is a legal entity, on the expiry date of the contract it shall be compulsorily extended for annual periods until the lease reaches a minimum duration of five years
L-lau-art9-durationStart with the university housing office. UC3M lists ALUNI, Erasmus Play and Spotahome; IE lists Idealista, Fotocasa and Enalquiler. Compare rent together with utilities, deposit and fees. A university listing a platform does not guarantee an individual advert: verify the address, owner and contract before paying.
* In order to avoid frauds when looking for a flat, we always recommend visiting it in person before signing a contract or making any payment.L-ie-fraud-visitIdealista Fotocasa EnalquilerP-housing-portalsALUNI Aluni.Net … Erasmus Play … SpotahomeTranslation
ALUNI / Aluni.Net, Erasmus Play, Spotahome.
P-housing-studentThe Movistar and Vodafone offers above renew every 28 days rather than a calendar month. Include renewal dates in the annual budget. Compare standalone mobile with home-internet bundles; DIGI’s fibre-bundle prices are not standalone-SIM prices.
Tipo de tarifa: Contrato Prepago … con fibraTranslation
Plan type: contract, prepaid; with fibre.
P-digi-mobile10 €/28 díasTranslation
€10 per 28 days.
P-movistar-prepaidPrepago S eSIM 10 €/28 días Precio finalTranslation
Prepago S eSIM: final price €10 per 28 days.
P-vodafone-prepaidRegional factsheets show the first bracket and base limit of the regional IRPF component for tax year 2025. Total tax also includes the state component and depends on income, deductions and residence. For the current tax-year return use the current regional rules; for Navarra and the Basque Country consult the foral authority.
Concierto Económico Departamento de Hacienda y FinanzasTranslation
Economic Agreement. Department of Finance.
P-tax-basqueHacienda Foral de NavarraTranslation
Tax authority of Navarra.
P-tax-navarraPara el ejercicio 2025 cada contribuyente deberá aplicar la escala autonómica que correspondaTranslation
For tax year 2025 each taxpayer applies the relevant regional scale.
P-tax-regionalMAPFRE offers cover for accidental injury, disability or death. Check the benefit amount, sports, travel, exclusions and claim procedure before purchasing. Obtain an individual quote; this policy does not replace the medical cover for the study permit.
de forma fortuita, sufras algún tipo de lesión, invalidez o muerte.Translation
If you accidentally suffer injury, disability or death.
P-accident-coveri) Contar con un seguro de enfermedad, concertado con una entidad aseguradora autorizada para operar en España, con prestaciones similares a las concedidas por la cartera común básica de servicios asistenciales del Sistema Nacional de Salud, válido para la duración de la estancia prevista.Translation
i) Hold health insurance taken out with an insurance company authorised to operate in Spain, with benefits similar to those provided by the common basic portfolio of healthcare services of the National Health System, valid for the duration of the intended stay.
V-rd1155-35-insuranceCompare tenant liability and contents cover. Check whether robbery, theft, belongings outside the home and electronics are covered, the limits and excess, and whether a police report is required. MAPFRE’s overview describes possible cover; the selected policy terms determine its obligations.
la cobertura de Responsabilidad civil, la cobertura de robo, hurto y asegurar el contenidoTranslation
Liability cover, robbery, theft and contents insurance.
P-theft-cover