How to Rent Your Apartment to Digital Nomads in Spain (Landlord Guide 2025)

Digital nomads are among the best tenants a Spanish landlord can have. They pay on time, earn in foreign currencies, respect the property, and typically don't need to be chased for anything. But attracting them — and keeping them — requires understanding what they need and how to position your property correctly.

This guide is for Spanish property owners who want to tap into the growing market of remote workers choosing Spain as their base.

Who Are Digital Nomads?

Digital nomads are remote workers — freelancers, entrepreneurs, and employees at international companies — who choose to live in different locations rather than staying permanently in one place. They are not tourists. They work full days, need reliable internet, and stay for weeks or months at a time.

Typical profile of a nomad renting in Spain:

• Age: 28–42
• Income: €2,500–€8,000/month (often in USD, GBP, or EUR from foreign companies)
• Stay: 1–6 months (medium-term)
• Solo traveler or couple (rarely families)
• Works 6–9 hours per day from the apartment or a coworking space

They are not party tourists. They are professionals looking for a comfortable, functional home base.

Why Rent to Digital Nomads?

Higher income per month. Furnished medium-term rentals command a 20–40% premium over unfurnished long-term contracts. A Madrid apartment renting at €1,100/month unfurnished on a 12-month contract might fetch €1,400–1,600/month furnished to a nomad on a 2-month stay.

No long-term commitment. Unlike permanent tenants protected by Spain's Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos (LAU), medium-term rentals (under 12 months) give you more flexibility to recover your property.

Less wear and tear. Nomads spend most of their time at a desk or out exploring. They are not hosting large gatherings or subletting.

Reliable payment. Remote workers have stable, verifiable income — often in stronger currencies than EUR. Many pay up front for the full stay.

High demand, low vacancy. Spain's growing reputation as a nomad destination means quality furnished apartments rarely sit empty.

What Digital Nomads Need (Non-Negotiable)

If your apartment doesn't have these, you will struggle to attract serious remote workers:

1. Fast, Stable WiFi

This is the single most important feature. A nomad without internet cannot work — and therefore cannot pay rent.

• Minimum: 50 Mbps symmetrical fiber
• Ideal: 300+ Mbps fiber (Movistar, Vodafone, Orange)
• Must be included in the rent
• Provide the router model and a speed test screenshot in your listing

2. A Proper Work Setup

Working from a sofa or a kitchen table is not sustainable for 6–8 hours a day.

• A real desk (not a decorative table)
• An ergonomic chair — this matters more than it seems
• Good lighting at the workspace
• Power outlets near the desk

3. Air Conditioning

Spain's summers are brutal. Madrid regularly hits 38–40°C. Without A/C, your apartment is unrentable to nomads from June to September.

4. All Utilities Included

Nomads don't want to set up utility contracts for a 2-month stay. Include electricity, water, gas, and WiFi in the monthly price.

5. Fully Equipped Kitchen

They cook at home regularly. A basic kit is essential: pots, pans, plates, cutlery, oven, microwave, and a full-size fridge.

What Sets Great Listings Apart (Nice to Have)

These features let you charge more and attract better tenants:

• Second monitor or TV with HDMI input — many nomads work with multiple screens
• Washing machine — an absolute must; dryer is a bonus
• Blackout curtains — for video calls and sleep quality
• Standing desk or adjustable desk — premium differentiator
• Local SIM information or welcome guide — nomads appreciate hosts who help them settle in
• Streaming subscriptions (Netflix, HBO) — small cost, big perceived value

Medium-Term Rental Contracts in Spain

This is the legal framework most relevant to nomad rentals.

Arrendamiento de Temporada (Seasonal Rental)

For stays from 1 to 11 months, you can use a contrato de arrendamiento de temporada (seasonal rental contract) instead of the standard LAU residential contract. Key differences:

• The tenant does NOT get the same renewal protections as a permanent resident
• You can recover the property at the end of the agreed term
• You are not required to offer annual renewals
• The tenant cannot claim the apartment as their habitual residence

Important: The contract must state the temporary nature of the stay (e.g., the tenant is in Spain temporarily for work, travel, or remote work purposes). Keep documentation of this.

What to Include in the Contract

• Full name, passport/NIE number of the tenant
• Full property address
• Start and end dates
• Monthly rent and payment method
• Security deposit (usually 1–2 months)
• Which utilities are included
• Rules about pets, guests, smoking
• Inventory of furnished items

Deposit

Standard practice is 1–2 months' rent as a deposit. Some landlords add an additional "garantía adicional" — legally up to 2 months for furnished rentals. Return within 30 days of checkout.

How to Price Your Apartment

Pricing depends on location, size, quality, and duration. Use this framework:

1. Find your base: Check what similar unfurnished long-term rentals go for in your area
2. Add 20–35% for furnishing and utilities: You're providing a ready-to-live-in product
3. Apply duration adjustments:
   • 1 month: full price
   • 2–3 months: -5% to -8%
   • 4–6 months: -10% to -15%

Example — 1-bedroom in Chamberí, Madrid:

• Unfurnished long-term: €1,100/month
• Furnished, utilities included, 1 month: €1,500/month
• Same, 3 months: €1,380/month
• Same, 6 months: €1,250/month

Nomads who stay longer are more valuable (lower vacancy, less turnover). Reward them with slightly better pricing.

Where to List Your Property

InhabitMe — Specialized platform for medium-term furnished rentals in Spain. Your listing reaches remote workers specifically looking for stays of 1–6 months. Verified tenants, professional listings, direct contact.

Airbnb — High visibility but mostly short-term (days/weeks). Expensive fees (15–20% combined). Possible for stays over 28 days but not optimized for it.

Idealista / Fotocasa — Spanish platforms primarily for long-term unfurnished rentals. You can list furnished rentals but the audience is not nomad-focused.

Facebook Groups — "Digital Nomads Madrid/Barcelona/Lisbon" groups on Facebook have thousands of active members looking for housing. Free but time-consuming.

How to Write a Listing That Converts

Nomads make decisions quickly based on your photos and description. Get these right:

Photos: Professional photos are worth the €100–200 investment. Show the desk setup, the view, the kitchen, and the bathroom clearly. Bad photos = no inquiries.

WiFi proof: Include a screenshot of a speed test (fast.com or speedtest.net). This single detail will increase inquiries dramatically.

Lead with the work setup: Start your description with the internet speed and desk setup, not the sofa and the view. Nomads self-select immediately on this.

Be specific about what's included: List every utility, appliance, and amenity. Vague listings generate questions; detailed listings generate bookings.

Mention the neighborhood: Proximity to metro, coworking spaces, supermarkets, and parks all matter.

Common Landlord Concerns — Addressed

"What if they disappear without paying?" Take 1–2 months deposit upfront. Most nomads pay by bank transfer from abroad — you'll know who they are. The tenant profile is highly unlikely to skip rent.

"Is it legal to rent short-term?" Medium-term rentals (1–11 months, temporary purpose) are legal across Spain under arrendamiento de temporada. This is different from tourist rentals (VUT), which require a license. If your tenant is staying for work — not tourism — you are in the clear.

"What about taxes?" Rental income must be declared as income (rendimientos del capital inmobiliario) in your IRPF declaration. You can deduct property-related expenses. Consult a gestor for your specific situation.

"What if they damage something?" The deposit covers typical damages. Furnished apartments attract professional tenants who treat properties well. Keep an itemized inventory with photos at check-in and check-out.

The Bottom Line

Digital nomads are exactly the tenants most Spanish landlords wish they could attract: stable, solvent, respectful, and temporary. The investment required — reliable WiFi, a proper desk, air conditioning, and good photos — is modest compared to the premium you can charge and the quality of tenant you'll attract.

The medium-term rental market in Spain is growing fast. Platforms like InhabitMe exist precisely to connect this tenant profile with landlords who want to serve them.

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Are you a landlord with a furnished apartment in Madrid, Barcelona, or another Spanish city? List your property on InhabitMe and reach verified remote workers actively looking for medium-term rentals.