Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about moving to Valencia
Services
What does the apartment search service include?
It includes: needs analysis, active search based on your criteria, pre-selection of options, visit coordination (in-person or virtual), document verification, negotiation with landlords, contract advice, and support until key handover.
Do you offer a satisfaction guarantee?
Yes. We work until you're satisfied with the options presented. If nothing suits you, we continue searching at no additional cost within the agreed timeframe (usually 30 days).
Can I hire just part of a service?
Yes, we offer modular services. For example, you can hire only the immigration consultancy or combine several services. Contact us to learn about available options.
What is the Buyer's Agent service?
Our Buyer's Agent service provides exclusive representation for international property buyers in Valencia. We search the full market, negotiate on your behalf, and manage the entire purchase process — from NIE to notary. We never represent sellers.
Process & Timeline
How long does it take to find housing?
On average, 1-2 weeks from when we start the active search. For rooms it's usually faster (5-10 days). Times may vary depending on season, budget, and specific requirements.
Do I need to be in Valencia to find an apartment?
Not strictly necessary. We offer remote searches with virtual tours (live video calls).
How does the initial consultation work?
Very simple: 1) You schedule a 30-minute video or phone call, 2) We discuss your needs, budget and dates, 3) We propose the most suitable service or package, 4) If you decide to continue, we sign an agreement and start immediately.
What happens if I don't find anything I like?
We keep searching. Our commitment is to present options that meet your criteria. If after 30 days of active searching there are no satisfactory results, we evaluate together whether to adjust the search criteria.
Documentation & Requirements
What documents do I need to rent in Valencia?
Generally: valid passport, NIE (or at least the application), employment contract or last 3 months' payslips, reference letter, and bank guarantee or guarantor resident in Spain. We help you prepare everything.
Can I rent without having a NIE yet?
Yes, it's possible. Many landlords accept that you're in the process of applying for the NIE. We help you find flexible options and manage the necessary alternative documentation.
Do I need a guarantor to rent?
Most landlords require one. It can be a bank guarantee or a person with residence in Spain. If you don't have one, we can help you find options that accept alternatives.
What is the NIE and how do I get it?
The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is your tax identification in Spain. It's requested at Immigration Offices or police stations. In our immigration consultancy we explain step by step how to apply for it.
Are you looking for an apartment or a room?
We offer both services: complete apartment search for families and room search in shared flats for tighter budgets. Both include full support until contract signing.
Housing in Valencia
What are the best neighborhoods to live in Valencia?
Depends on your profile. For families: Algirós, Benimaclet, Campanar. For young people: Ruzafa, El Carmen, Benimaclet. For quiet living: Mestalla, Exposición. For tight budgets: Orriols, Torrefiel. All with good metro connections.
How much does it cost to rent in Valencia?
In 2026, a one-bedroom apartment in central Valencia rents for roughly €1,000–1,300 per month, and a two-bedroom for €1,300–1,700. Prices drop 20–30% in districts like Benimaclet, Patraix or Campanar. Furnished flats aimed at foreigners cost more. Rents have risen every year since 2021.
Is it safe to rent in Valencia?
Yes, Valencia is a very safe city. We verify the legitimacy of all offers, check landlord documents, and protect you from common scams (especially 'transfer only without visit' ones).
Is there a large international community in Valencia?
Yes, there's a very large and active international community, including many Latin Americans, Europeans, and digital nomads. In many neighborhoods you'll find multicultural atmospheres and cultural events. We help you connect with the community.
About Us
Who is Raíces Valencia?
We're a team founded by immigrants who went through the relocation process themselves. We specialize in helping expats and newcomers from around the world settle in Valencia with all the services they need: housing, property buying, paperwork, and integration.
How are you different from a real estate agency?
We're a relocation service that represents only you, through the whole move. We search the whole Valencia rental market, view flats on your behalf, check the contract and help with your NIE, padrón registration and arrival. We've been through the move ourselves, so we know where it gets hard.
Do you work with people from any country?
Yes, we work with people from all over the world — from the US, Germany, UK, Latin America, and beyond. Our services are designed for anyone who wants to move to or buy property in Valencia.
Do you have a physical office in Valencia?
Yes, although most initial meetings are virtual for convenience. For property visits and in-person procedures, we meet you in Valencia. Our team is 100% available here.
Renting in Valencia as a foreigner
Can a foreigner rent an apartment in Spain without residency?
Yes. You don't need residency or a visa to sign a long-term lease in Spain. Most landlords ask for a passport, proof of income and a deposit. Some request a NIE, but it isn't legally required to rent. Raíces Valencia handles the search and negotiation before you arrive.
What is the average rent in Valencia, Spain in 2026?
In 2026, a one-bedroom apartment in central Valencia rents for roughly €1,000–1,300 per month, and a two-bedroom for €1,300–1,700. Prices drop 20–30% in districts like Benimaclet, Patraix or Campanar. Furnished flats aimed at foreigners cost more. Rents have risen every year since 2021.
How do I find a long-term rental apartment in Valencia?
Most long-term listings appear on Idealista and Fotocasa, but good flats are often rented within 48 hours. Landlords prioritise tenants with Spanish income and references, which is why many foreigners use a relocation service. Raíces Valencia searches, visits and negotiates on your behalf, charging one month's rent only when you get the keys.
What are the best websites for renting an apartment in Valencia?
Idealista is the largest property portal in Spain, followed by Fotocasa and Pisos.com. For short-term or furnished stays, Spotahome and Badi are common. Listings move fast and many are duplicated across sites, so most foreigners combine portals with a local relocation agent who can visit flats the same day.
What are the requirements for a rental contract in Valencia?
A standard long-term contract under Spain's Urban Leasing Law (LAU) requires a passport or NIE, proof of income and a one-month legal deposit. Landlords may ask for up to two extra months as a guarantee. Tenants have the right to stay five years, even if the contract says one.
Can I rent an apartment in Valencia remotely, before I arrive?
Yes, but it's risky without someone on the ground. Scams targeting foreigners are common on portals, and landlords rarely hold a flat for someone abroad. Raíces Valencia visits the property, checks the contract and can sign on your behalf with power of attorney, so you arrive with keys in hand.
What is the difference between a relocation service and an estate agent?
An estate agent works for the landlord or seller and shows only their own listings. A relocation service works for you: it searches the whole market, visits properties, negotiates and handles contracts, NIE, padrón and utilities. Raíces Valencia charges one month's rent, only when you get the keys.
Cost of living & budget
How much does it cost to live in Valencia, Spain in 2026?
A single person needs about €1,800–2,300 per month in Valencia in 2026, including rent for a one-bedroom flat. A couple spends around €2,800–3,500, and a family of four €4,000–5,000. Groceries, transport and dining out are 30–40% cheaper than in London or most US cities.
How much money do I need to live in Valencia?
Comfortably, around €2,000 per month for one person and €3,200 for a couple. That covers rent, utilities, groceries, public transport and eating out several times a week. For visa purposes, Spain's non-lucrative visa requires proof of roughly €2,400 per month for the main applicant.
Can I live in Spain for $2,000 a month?
Yes, in Valencia $2,000 (about €1,850) covers rent for a one-bedroom flat outside the centre, bills, groceries and some leisure. It's tight in the city centre or with a car. Most single foreigners who move here spend between $2,200 and $2,800 monthly.
Can I live in Spain on $3,000 a month?
Yes, $3,000 (about €2,750) gives a single person a comfortable life in Valencia, including a central one-bedroom apartment, gym, regular dining out and travel. For a couple it's adequate but requires choosing a less central neighbourhood. It also exceeds the income threshold for the non-lucrative visa.
Can you live on $1,000 a month in Spain?
Not comfortably in Valencia. €900 barely covers a room in a shared flat plus food. Rents alone start around €1,000 for a one-bedroom apartment. Smaller inland towns are cheaper, but visa income requirements make $1,000 insufficient for legal residency anyway.
Is living in Valencia, Spain expensive?
Compared to other Western European and US cities, no. Valencia is 40–50% cheaper than London and about 30% cheaper than Madrid or Barcelona. Housing is the main cost and has risen sharply since 2021, but food, healthcare, transport and utilities remain affordable.
Is it cheaper to live in the US or in Spain?
Spain is significantly cheaper. Rent, healthcare, groceries and transport cost 30–60% less than in most US cities. Valencia offers a one-bedroom flat for around €1,200 versus $2,000+ in comparable US cities. Salaries are lower too, which mainly matters if you plan to work locally.
How much money do I need in the bank to move to Spain?
For the non-lucrative visa, Spain requires proof of roughly €28,800 per year for the main applicant plus about €7,200 per dependant, shown in savings or passive income. Beyond visa requirements, budget €5,000–8,000 for deposits, agency fees, first month's rent and setup costs.
Moving to Valencia from the UK or US
Is it hard for a US citizen to move to Spain?
Not hard, but it takes planning. Americans need a visa for stays over 90 days. The most common routes are the non-lucrative visa (for retirees and those with passive income) and the digital nomad visa (for remote workers). Processing takes two to four months through a Spanish consulate.
How difficult is it for a UK citizen to move to Spain after Brexit?
Since Brexit, British citizens need a visa to live in Spain, like any non-EU national. The non-lucrative visa and digital nomad visa are the main options. Applications go through the Spanish consulate in London, Manchester or Edinburgh and take around two to three months. The Golden Visa closed in April 2025.
Is it a good idea to move to Valencia, Spain from the USA?
For many Americans, yes. Valencia combines a Mediterranean climate, walkable neighbourhoods, public healthcare and living costs about half those of major US cities. The main challenges are the visa process, lower local salaries and the language. Most newcomers settle within three to six months with local support.
Is Valencia, Spain a good place for Americans to retire?
Yes. Valencia is consistently ranked among the best cities in Europe for retirees thanks to its climate, healthcare, safety and cost of living. A retired couple lives comfortably on €3,000–3,500 per month. The non-lucrative visa is the standard route for retirees with pensions or savings.
Which city in Spain is best for American expats?
Valencia, Madrid, Barcelona and Málaga attract the most Americans. Valencia stands out for combining big-city services with lower rents, a beach and a manageable size. Madrid suits career-focused movers, Barcelona is the most expensive, and Málaga offers the warmest winters.
What are the biggest mistakes people make when moving to Spain?
Common mistakes: renting sight unseen from abroad, underestimating how fast good flats disappear, choosing a neighbourhood without visiting, arriving without a NIE appointment, assuming English is widely spoken, and skipping the padrón registration, which unlocks healthcare and schooling. A relocation service prevents most of them.
What is the 2-year rule in Spain?
It usually refers to the two-year residency requirement for citizens of Latin American countries, Portugal, the Philippines and others to apply for Spanish nationality. For everyone else, nationality requires ten years of legal residency. It is unrelated to visas or renting.
Neighbourhoods in Valencia
Where do most expats live in Valencia?
Foreigners concentrate in Ruzafa, El Carmen, Gran Vía, Cánovas, El Cabanyal and Benimaclet. Families often choose Campanar, Alboraya or L'Eliana for space and international schools. Ruzafa and Cabanyal attract younger remote workers; Gran Vía and Pla del Real attract those seeking quieter, upscale streets.
What is the best neighbourhood in Valencia for expats?
It depends on your lifestyle. Ruzafa is best for nightlife and cafés, Gran Vía and Cánovas for elegant, central living, El Cabanyal for the beach, and Benimaclet for value. Families favour Campanar or the suburbs near international schools. Most foreigners visit three or four areas before deciding.
What are the best neighbourhoods in Valencia for families?
Campanar, Pla del Real, Benimaclet and the towns of Alboraya, Godella and L'Eliana are popular with families. They offer larger apartments or houses, parks and proximity to international schools like Caxton College, American School of Valencia and the British School. Rents are lower than in the centre.
Where do the wealthy live in Valencia?
Valencia's most expensive areas are Gran Vía, Pla del Real, Cánovas and Ensanche, where classic buildings sell for over €5,000 per square metre. Outside the city, La Cañada, Rocafort and Santa Bárbara are the traditional villa areas, along with waterfront apartments in Patacona.
Valencia vs other cities
Is it better to live in Barcelona or Valencia?
Valencia is cheaper, less crowded and easier to settle in; Barcelona has a bigger international job market and more nightlife. Rents in Valencia are 30–40% lower. For remote workers, retirees and families, Valencia usually wins; for careers in tech or multinationals, Barcelona still leads.
Is Málaga or Valencia nicer to live in?
Valencia is a larger, more complete city with a better public transport network, more cultural life and lower rents relative to income. Málaga has warmer winters and a stronger British community. Valencia suits year-round residents; Málaga appeals to those prioritising sunshine and nearby coastal towns.
Which is better to live in, Alicante or Valencia?
Valencia is bigger, with more jobs, universities, healthcare and culture; Alicante is smaller, cheaper and warmer. Alicante has a larger British community, while Valencia attracts a broader international mix. For a full city lifestyle, choose Valencia; for a relaxed coastal base, Alicante.
What US city does Valencia compare to?
Valencia is often compared to San Diego for its climate, beach and relaxed pace, at roughly a third of the cost. In size and feel, it resembles Charleston or Austin's walkable core. Unlike most US cities, Valencia is fully walkable with reliable public transport.
Buying, visas & legal
Can I buy a house in Spain for $50,000?
Not in Valencia city, where the cheapest small apartments start around €90,000. In rural inland areas of Valencia province, village houses under €50,000 exist but usually need renovation. Buying property no longer grants residency: Spain's Golden Visa closed in April 2025.
Can I live in Spain permanently if I buy a property?
No. Since April 2025, buying property no longer provides residency rights in Spain. You still need a visa such as the non-lucrative or digital nomad visa. Owning a home helps prove accommodation for your application but doesn't replace it.
What are the legal requirements for relocating to Valencia?
Non-EU citizens need a visa before arrival. Once in Valencia, everyone must obtain a NIE (foreigner identification number), register on the padrón at the town hall, and non-EU residents must collect their TIE residence card within 30 days. EU citizens register at the police for a green certificate.
What are the steps to buy a house in Valencia as a foreigner?
First a NIE number and a Spanish bank account, then a reservation agreement, a private purchase contract (arras) with a 10% deposit, and finally the deed at the notary. Budget 11–13% on top of the price for taxes and fees. A buyer's agent like Raíces Valencia represents only you, never the seller.
Moving logistics
How much does an international move to Valencia cost?
A shared-container move from the UK or Netherlands to Valencia costs roughly €1,500–3,000 for 20–30 m³ in 2026; a dedicated truck €4,000–7,000. From the US, a 20-foot container costs €5,000–9,000 plus customs handling. Transit takes 3–7 days from Europe and 4–8 weeks from North America.
Do moving companies offer full relocation packages to Valencia?
Some international movers offer packages, but they usually cover only transport, storage and customs. Finding a home, the rental contract, NIE, padrón and utilities are rarely included. For that, you work with a local relocation service in Valencia such as Raíces Valencia, which charges one month's rent only when you get the keys.
Didn't find your answer?
Contact us directly and we'll resolve all your doubts in a free initial consultation