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The total monthly occupancy cost for a student renting in Alicante typically includes several components. Base rent is the main expense: a room in a shared flat in San Vicente del Raspeig or Carolinas Altas starts from around 250 EUR/month, while a studio or one-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from approximately 800 EUR/month to 1,000 EUR/month (sources: Idealista and Erasmus Play listings, 2024–2025).
Utility charges (suministros) — electricity, water, gas, and internet — are sometimes included in shared flat rents but must be budgeted separately for full apartments, typically adding 80 EUR/month to 150 EUR/month.
Security deposit (fianza): Under Article 36 of Spain's Urban Leases Law (Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos, LAU), landlords are legally entitled to request one month's rent as a deposit for residential leases. Landlords may additionally request up to two months' extra guarantee, bringing the maximum upfront deposit to three months' rent in total (source: LAU Art. 36; Waypoint Sur rental guide, 2024).
Agency fees: Since Spain's Housing Law (Ley por el Derecho a la Vivienda, Law 12/2023, effective 26 May 2023), real estate agency fees for long-term residential rentals must be paid by the landlord, not the tenant. Tenants should not be asked to pay agency commissions (source: C2C Property, 2024).
Home insurance (seguro de hogar): Not legally mandatory for tenants in Spain, but some landlords include it as a lease condition. Contents insurance (seguro de contenido) is recommended and typically costs 100 EUR to 200 EUR per year.
Local tax (IBI): The Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles is a property tax paid by the landlord, not the tenant, and should not appear in a standard residential lease.
TL;DR — Renting as a student in Alicante: The main university is the University of Alicante (UA), with its campus in San Vicente del Raspeig. The most affordable student areas are Carolinas Altas, San Vicente del Raspeig, and Benalúa. Shared rooms start from around 250 EUR/month; one-bedroom apartments in the centre reach 800–1,000 EUR/month. Spanish law (LAU) requires a deposit of one month's rent; agency fees are the landlord's responsibility since 2023. Prepare your NIE or passport, proof of funds, and scholarship letter before applying for a flat.
Finding long-term student accommodation in Alicante requires understanding both the local rental market and Spain's tenancy regulations. The city offers a wide spectrum of housing options — from budget shared flats in San Vicente del Raspeig and Carolinas Altas to more spacious apartments in the historic Centro district — catering to students at the University of Alicante (UA), the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH), and other institutions.
All long-term residential leases in Alicante are governed by Spain's Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos (LAU), which provides strong tenant protections including a minimum lease duration, regulated deposit amounts, and — since the Ley por el Derecho a la Vivienda (Law 12/2023) — the obligation for landlords to cover agency fees. International students should prepare their rental file (dossier locatif) in advance, including proof of identity (NIE or passport), proof of financial resources (scholarship letter, bank statements, or guarantor), and any enrolment documentation from their university.
Alicante is a vibrant Mediterranean city in the Valencian Community of Spain, home to the University of Alicante (UA), whose main campus is located in the neighbouring municipality of San Vicente del Raspeig. The city also has access to the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH), with a campus in nearby Sant Joan d'Alacant. Long-term rental options for students range from shared rooms in affordable districts like Carolinas Altas and San Vicente del Raspeig (from approximately 250 EUR/month) to furnished one-bedroom apartments in the city centre (up to 1,000 EUR/month). Under Spain's Urban Leases Law (LAU), tenants must pay a security deposit (fianza) of one month's rent upfront, and since the Housing Law of 2023 (Law 12/2023), agency fees are legally the landlord's responsibility. The TRAM network and Renfe train lines connect the city centre to the university campus, making it practical to live in Alicante and study in San Vicente del Raspeig.
Finding long-term student accommodation in Alicante requires understanding both the local rental market and Spain's tenancy regulations. The city offers a wide spectrum of housing options — from budget shared flats in San Vicente del Raspeig and Carolinas Altas to more spacious apartments in the historic Centro district — catering to students at the University of Alicante (UA), the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH), and other institutions.
All long-term residential leases in Alicante are governed by Spain's Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos (LAU), which provides strong tenant protections including a minimum lease duration, regulated deposit amounts, and — since the Ley por el Derecho a la Vivienda (Law 12/2023) — the obligation for landlords to cover agency fees. International students should prepare their rental file (dossier locatif) in advance, including proof of identity (NIE or passport), proof of financial resources (scholarship letter, bank statements, or guarantor), and any enrolment documentation from their university.
Alicante remains one of the more affordable university cities on Spain's Mediterranean coast. Students who opt for a shared flat in San Vicente del Raspeig — the municipality where the University of Alicante campus is located — or in budget-friendly city neighbourhoods like Carolinas Altas or Sant Blai can keep their monthly rent below 400 EUR/month.
For those who prefer to live in the city centre and commute to campus by TRAM line 2 or Renfe train, rents are higher but the lifestyle benefits — proximity to the beach, the Explanada de España, and the historic Barrio de Santa Cruz — are significant. A realistic all-in monthly housing budget (rent + utilities + internet) for a student in Alicante ranges from 350 EUR/month at the low end to 1,150 EUR/month at the high end, depending on location and type of accommodation (source: Erasmus Play, 2024–2025; Investropa, early 2026).
One of the most frequent mistakes made by international students searching for long-term rentals in Alicante is underestimating the upfront costs. Under Spain's Urban Leases Law (LAU, Art. 36), landlords are entitled to request a security deposit (fianza) of one month's rent, and may additionally ask for up to two months' extra guarantee — meaning students may need to have up to three months' rent available before moving in.
Another common error is paying agency fees as a tenant. Since Spain's Housing Law (Law 12/2023, Ley por el Derecho a la Vivienda), agency fees for long-term residential rentals must be paid by the landlord, not the tenant. Students unfamiliar with Spanish rental law are sometimes asked to pay these fees illegally (source: C2C Property, 2024; Health Plan Spain, 2025).
Finally, many students confuse seasonal leases (arrendamiento de temporada) with long-term residential leases. Contracts of less than 11 months may be classified as seasonal rentals and offer fewer tenant protections under the LAU. Always verify the type of contract before signing.
Fantastic, nothing to add. Mathilde managed to find us an apartment that met all our criteria. Thank you so much for your help and professionalism.
Gaëlle provided excellent service. We finally found accommodation that suited us. At first, I was a little pessimistic, but in the end, everything went well.
Justine was an invaluable help. She quickly found us a rental that perfectly matched our requirements. Her availability, kindness, and responsiveness are undeniable. I highly recommend her services!
Fantastic, nothing to add. Mathilde managed to find us an apartment that met all our criteria. Thank you so much for your help and professionalism.
Start with Idealista, Fotocasa and Uniplaces, plus Erasmus Play for student listings near the UA campus. The most practical areas are San Vicente del Raspeig, next to the campus, Carolinas Altas, linked by TRAM line 2, Sant Blai and Benalúa. A Home Finder based in Alicante can sort through the listings, view on your behalf and send your application as soon as a place fits.
Not always: landlords mainly ask for a valid NIE or passport, proof of income or a grant, and recent bank statements; some also ask for a guarantor (avalista) or an extra deposit. Have your grant letter ready before you apply, too. With these documents prepared, the process moves much faster. The Home Finder helps you gather the file and supports your application with the landlord.
A flatshare is still the cheapest option: a room in San Vicente del Raspeig or Carolinas Altas starts at around €250 a month, and a flatshare in Sant Blai keeps you under €400. A studio or one-bedroom flat in the city centre lets for between €800 and €1,000 a month. In a flatshare, bills are sometimes included; for a whole flat, budget for them separately.
At least two to three months before your move-in date. In San Vicente del Raspeig and Benalúa, good flats sometimes go in under 48 hours after being listed. Use that time to get your NIE or gather your passport, proof of funds and grant letter, and to set aside the two to three months' rent you will pay before signing.
Between €350 and €1,150 a month all in (rent, bills, internet), depending on the area and type of home. A room in a flatshare starts at around €250, a studio in the city centre costs €800 to €1,000. For a whole flat, add €80 to €150 in bills. When you move in, allow one month's fianza, plus up to two months' extra guarantee. Agency fees have been paid by the landlord since 2023.
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