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The total monthly occupancy cost for a long-term rental in the Costa Brava area (Girona province) is made up of several components regulated by Spanish law.
TL;DR: The Costa Brava student rental market is centred on Girona city and the Universitat de Girona (UdG). Shared rooms start from around 300 EUR/month; private studios reach up to 950 EUR/month. Spanish law (LAU, 2023 reform) caps the security deposit at 1 month's rent and requires landlords to pay agency fees. Start your search early, prepare your rental file (passport/NIE, enrolment proof, financial guarantee), and target the Barri Vell, Eixample, or Montilivi neighbourhoods depending on your campus.
Finding long-term student accommodation in the Costa Brava region means navigating a dynamic rental market centred on Girona city, home to the Universitat de Girona (UdG). Whether you are an Erasmus exchange student, a Master's candidate, or a full-degree international student, understanding the local rental landscape - from neighbourhood choices to lease regulations - is essential to securing the right home for your academic year. This guide covers everything you need to know about long-term rental in Costa Brava: student-friendly neighbourhoods, realistic budget ranges, the documents required for your rental application, and the key rules of Spanish tenancy law that protect you as a tenant.
The Costa Brava, located in the Girona province of Catalonia (Spain), is primarily served by the Universitat de Girona (UdG) for higher education, with over 15,000 students across three main campuses: Barri Vell, Montilivi, and the Campus Centre in the Eixample district. Long-term rental options for students range from shared rooms starting at around 300 EUR/month to private studios and 1-bedroom apartments reaching up to 950 EUR/month, depending on location and property type (source: Investropa, January 2026; Idealista, 2024-2025). Spanish rental law (LAU, as reformed by the 2023 Housing Law) provides strong tenant protections, including a security deposit (fianza) capped at 1 month's rent and a legal obligation for landlords to cover agency fees. The rental market in Girona is competitive at the start of the academic year, making it advisable to begin the search and prepare a complete application file at least 2-3 months in advance.
Finding long-term student accommodation in the Costa Brava region means navigating a dynamic rental market centred on Girona city, home to the Universitat de Girona (UdG). Whether you are an Erasmus exchange student, a Master's candidate, or a full-degree international student, understanding the local rental landscape - from neighbourhood choices to lease regulations - is essential to securing the right home for your academic year. This guide covers everything you need to know about long-term rental in Costa Brava: student-friendly neighbourhoods, realistic budget ranges, the documents required for your rental application, and the key rules of Spanish tenancy law that protect you as a tenant.
Rental prices in the Costa Brava region vary significantly depending on location and property type. In Girona city, the main student hub, shared rooms near the Universitat de Girona (UdG) start from around 300 EUR/month, while private studios range from 700 EUR/month to 800 EUR/month. In coastal towns such as Blanes or Lloret de Mar, 1-bedroom apartments are available from approximately 700 EUR/month, while premium coastal villages like Begur or Cadaques command significantly higher rents (source: Investropa, January 2026, based on Idealista Girona province index and Cambra de la Propietat Urbana de Girona). Students are advised to factor in utilities, the mandatory security deposit (fianza), and any supplementary guarantee requested by the landlord when planning their overall housing budget.
One of the most common mistakes made by international students searching for long-term rentals in the Costa Brava / Girona area is confusing short-term tourist rentals with long-term residential leases. Many online platforms prominently display holiday apartments that are not suitable for academic-year stays and are not governed by Spain's protective Urban Tenancy Law (LAU). Students should specifically search for arrendamiento de vivienda habitual (habitual residence lease) contracts, which guarantee a minimum 5-year tenure and strong tenant protections under the LAU.
A second frequent error is paying agency fees when they are not legally owed. Since Spain's 2023 Housing Law (Ley de Vivienda), agency fees for long-term residential rentals must be covered by the landlord, not the tenant. Some agents attempt to charge these fees under alternative labels such as administrative costs - students should be aware of this practice and refuse such charges.
Finally, many students underestimate the competitiveness of the Girona rental market at the start of the academic year (September-October). Starting the search at least 2-3 months in advance and preparing a complete rental application file - including passport or NIE, proof of enrolment, and a financial guarantee - significantly improves the chances of securing accommodation.
The student market on the Costa Brava centres on Girona and the Universitat de Girona, with three campuses: Barri Vell, Montilivi and Centre. The Barri Vell is lively but dearer; the Eixample, central, has mid-range prices; quiet Montilivi has the Resa Campus Montilivi residence and buses (lines 1 and 10).
From abroad, a Home Finder sorts through the offers and views for you.
Landlords generally ask for a valid passport or NIE, proof of university enrolment and proof of financial means: bank statements, a grant letter or a guarantor. Gather these before the viewings.
The UdG International Office and partners such as Aluni.net publish listings aimed at students. A Home Finder helps you put the file together and backs your application.
Start at least 2 to 3 months before you arrive: the Girona market becomes very competitive from July, as the new academic year approaches, and stays tight in September and October.
Prepare a full application before the first viewing: passport or NIE, proof of enrolment and a financial guarantee. In sought-after areas, landlords decide quickly.
In Girona, a room in a shared flat costs between 300 and 500 EUR/month, a studio or one-bedroom flat between 700 and 950 EUR/month. Allow 80 to 150 EUR/month for bills in a shared home.
The legal deposit is one month's rent, with up to two months of additional guarantee, so three months at most in advance. Letting agency fees are the landlord's responsibility since the 2023 housing law.
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