Student accommodation in Spain

One of the most complicated moments of your Erasmus+ programme will be when you start looking for your accommodation. This process can take a few days if you do it well, but on the other hand, if you don't know where to search or there are difficulties in your destination country in finding accommodation, your search could take up to several months. This is about international student accommodation in Spain.

About 50% of international students had and have trouble finding accommodation that meets their needs. For all this, our team have prepared this post, to show the main characteristics to take into account, what options there are and where you can find your ideal accommodation easily.

Types of accommodation for international students

Choosing your future home is one of the most important decisions you will make, for the next months of your life depend on it. What you choose will mark your Erasmus experience. Below, we detail the three most common options that international students accommodation in Spain:

Shared flats

Renting a student room is undoubtedly the most popular option for Erasmus students. The main characteristics of this choice are:

• Lower accommodation expenses.

• Greater freedom.

• Greater flexibility of dates.

• Living with students like you.

• More responsibility in household tasks.

• More location options close to the University.

• Offer with different prices.

• You can invite everyone you want without any problem.

University Residences

It is the second most demanded option by students, mainly because of the characteristics related to student comfort. Residences main features are:

• Dates more adjusted to four-month periods or complete courses.

• Living with more students like you.

• Common areas shared with many students.

• Few or no responsibilities in the home (cleaning services included).

• Generally located near the University.

• Limited places or long waiting lists.

• Higher accommodation costs.

• Less freedom (residence rules).

Family houses

It is the least common options, due to the responsibility it implies for the family that takes you in, but it also has positive aspects. The main attributes are:

• Affordable accommodation prices

• Very flexible dates

• Short term stays

• Living with local people

• Being able to practice the local language daily

• Normally, food and cleaning services are included

• No living with other students

• Responsibility in your behaviour and less freedom

• They don't usually accept visitors

 5 Tips for finding your student accommodation

Next, we are going to give you a series of tips that you should know when looking for an accommodation, once you have decided on the type of accommodation that you like most (shared apartment, residence or family house).

1. Beginning the search

We recommend you to start searching before choosing a definitive destination for your Erasmus. This allows you to review prices for each city you like and take it into account to make the right decision based on your budget. This can be done through Erasmus Play.

If your search starts once you know for sure your Erasmus destination, it is advisable to start as soon as possible, from the moment you are confirmed as an Erasmus+ student. The best accommodations (quality/price) are the ones sold out first, therefore, as time goes by the search will be more and more complicated. The easiest and most effective way to commence your search is through the Internet, as we will explain in the following points.

Check out the top 10 Erasmus destination students choose.

2. Budget

An important aspect that will influence to a great extent the search for your accommodation will be your budget. This is determined by your family's economic situation, as well as by the amount granted by Erasmus+ you are going to receive. You need to plan with your parents or legal tutors to know the maximum amount of money you have available per month to spend on accommodation.

Once you know this information, your search will be limited and will be more adjusted to your needs. The search tool of Erasmus Play will allow you to filter for accommodation based on your budget, making your search more comfortable, in addition to many other filters based on your needs.

3. Location

Do you feel like living 15km from your faculty? Having to take 3 buses or 3  metro lines to get to class? Then you have to consider the distance from your home to the University and the distance to the city centre. Having your home closer to the University is crucial. Since you will be spending a lot of days in and out and possibly at alternate times (so you can go home to eat or rest until your next class). On the other hand, look for accommodation that is close to the downtown, which will allow you to make plans and get around quickly and easily.

Other interesting factors to be considered are the distance to essential services, such as shopping centres and supermarkets. Your international student accommodation in Spain must be well located to boost your social and academic life and movement.

4. Secure platforms

As we have already said, the easiest way to book accommodation without having to go to the destination city is through the Internet. However, you have to be careful where and with whom you book your accommodation. As many pages are fraudulent, you can end up booking no picture resembling accommodation or non-existing accommodation, and losing the money paid.

We recommend that you only search on 100% secure platforms, that your accommodation is verified and of good quality. Through Erasmus Play, you will be able to find accommodation destined to Erasmus students. Erasmus Play displays accommodations exclusively from verified platforms, with 100% secure payment gateways, so you will not have to worry about scams.

5. Comparing and booking

Do you buy the first phone or laptop you see when you go buying? Then don't do the same with your new home. Before you choose your international student accommodation in Spain compare as many as you can, the more you can compare the better. With this, you will get a better idea of what the market has to offer (quality and price). You will realize what you need which will allow you to choose your ideal accommodation at the best price. Each online booking platform has its rates for their services, so it is good to compare and take them into account.

We know that comparing many accommodations in different platforms, can be a tedious work, the platform Erasmus Play was created to solve this problem, in which you can compare with just a click. Once you decide on accommodation, you can book it with our trustworthy platforms, where you will make the booking and payment in total security.

Now you know what to do and how to go about it.

LET THE SEARCH BEGIN!!!

PS: THE ERASMUS PLAY PLATFORM IS STILL UNDERDEVELOPMENT AND WILL BE LIVE SOON. STAY TUNE!!!

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Do you have any tips about finding good accommodation, leave a comment below.