Accommodation in Seville

Finding accommodation in Seville is a relatively painless task. On arrival, while expats get their bearings, there are plenty of economically priced hostels in the city centre or estate agencies that can provide short-term living quarters.

As in most cities, the closer to the centre or the larger the property, the higher the housing prices. The benefit of Seville is that its central area is relatively small, and it’s easy to get from one end to the other on foot, by bike or scooter, or other forms of public transport.

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Types of accommodation in Seville

Apartments

Most housing in Seville is in the form of apartments. These range from small studio apartments to larger three- or four-bedroom flats. 

Expats on a budget, particularly international students moving to Seville to study, can find flatshares. This is essentially renting a room in an apartment and sharing communal spaces such as the kitchen and living room with other flatmates, and dividing the living expenses appropriately.

Serviced apartments

As one of Spain’s most quintessential cities, Seville is no stranger to short-term expat stays and tourist visits. As such, serviced apartments and aparthotels are available which meet an expat’s every need. Fully furnished with cleaning services and access to various amenities, these are usually preferred as corporate accommodation. They offer all essential hotel facilities and also allow for self-catering. Costs may be lower than a hotel suite, although luxury serviced apartments do come with a heavy price tag.

Houses

Houses with gardens are available on the outskirts of the city as well as in Seville’s surrounding towns. This would involve a bit of a commute into the city, but is often considered by expat families with children as well as expats who prefer a more peaceful living environment.

Furnished vs unfurnished

Both furnished and unfurnished apartments can be found in Seville, although free-standing houses and villas are often unfurnished. Tenants in unfurnished apartments will have no problem finding furniture, be their décor preference modern or antique, with a host of stores in Seville, including IKEA.

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Finding accommodation in Seville

Thanks to multiple online property portals, the easiest way to find a property in Seville is by searching online. Both international platforms, such as HousingAnywhere and Nestpick, as well as Spanish-based websites, including idealista, yaencontre and pisos.com, are a good start. Online platforms allow for networking and contacting landlords and agents. House hunters can refine their searches based on the types of accommodation, budget and move-in dates, as well as rules on smoking, having pets and allowing musical instruments to be played.

Posting a comment or question on social media pages and expat forums can also help a new arrival secure accommodation. Adventurous expats travelling on a shoestring budget can also find temporary accommodation in a homestay environment and can connect with hosts through platforms such as Couchsurfing.

When looking for accommodation in Seville, enlisting the services of a real estate agent or relocation company can also take the weight off a new arrival's shoulders. Real estate professionals may have access to housing that is not yet on the market while also be able to navigate any language barriers between property owners and prospective tenants.

The best time to find accommodation in Seville is early September before the university starts. Finding accommodation in August can be hard – landlords are normally at the beach enjoying their summer holiday. Otherwise, new arrivals can find housing any other time of year.

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Renting accommodation in Seville

Leases

Most expats rent flats on a 10-month to yearly basis. When making an application, prospective tenants may need to provide proof of finances, a credit check and for a guarantor to sign the contract on their behalf.

Deposits

Expect to pay a one or two month rental deposit. 

Utilities

We recommend that tenants confirm with the landlord who will be responsible for paying utilities, including water, electricity, gas and internet. Usually, in serviced apartments and holiday lets, utility costs are fully or partially included in the rent. However, rental agreements in other property types and for longer-term stays may require the tenant to pay for all utility bills.