Property rental is gaining momentum in the Spanish real estate market, traditionally dominated by home ownership. In recent years, the percentage of the population living in rental accommodation has risen to 15.4%, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE), and is set to increase over the next few years, especially among younger people.

This trend is particularly noticeable in large cities, where buying a home is more difficult due to high prices, limited housing stock and the urban lifestyle. Which is why in major cities the rental market is thriving.

To encourage home seekers to consider renting, in recent years these large cities have introduced rental assistance programmes.

So as we advance into 2025, let’s take a look at what’s available in cities such as Madrid, Valencia, Seville, La Coruña and San Sebastián.

Rental assistance programmes in Madrid, Valencia, Seville, La Coruña and San Sebastián

First, all these cities continue to offer the youth rental assistance, or bono joven de alquiler, launched by the central government and now extended into 2025. The assistance consists of 250 euros per month for individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 who have a regular income that is no more than three times the official income indicator IPREM.

Regional and municipal governments also have their own local assistance programmes:

• Madrid

In Madrid, there are two types of rental assistance: from the government of the Community of Madrid (regional) and from the Madrid City Council.

• The Community of Madrid has a rental assistance programme for young people up to age 35, seniors over 65, large families, single-parent families with dependents, households with a disabled member or households where all members are unemployed. These grants cover up to 50% of the monthly rent.
• The Madrid City Council has the ReViva programme, aimed at stimulating the rental market by encouraging property owners with vacant homes to rent them out through the municipal housing company. Tenants are guaranteed a rent that does not exceed 30% of their income. To qualify, applicants must have been registered as resident in Madrid for at least a year. Interested tenants can sign up to access and browse available homes on a dedicated website.

• Valencia

In of the Valencia region, the regional government (Generalitat) handles applications for the bono joven de alquiler for 2025.

The Valencia city council also has its own assistance programme for residents. To qualify, applicants must:

• Have a rental contract in the city
• Be registered as resident in the Valencian Community
• Pay no more than 750 euros per month for a full apartment or 375 euros for a room

The programme offers a 40% subsidy on rent for up to a year.

• Balearic Islands

In the Balearic Islands, the regional government also manages applications for the bono joven al alquiler. In addition, it has a separate programme for low-income individuals living on a long-term basis in rental accommodation and paying a rent of no more than 900 euros per month.

• Basque Country

In the Basque Country, the regional government has its own youth rental assistance programme for individuals up to age 36. The aid covers a percentage of the rent for a home in the Basque Country.

The amount varies depending on the location and rental price.

• Maximum rent of 800 euros in Bilbao, San Sebastián and Vitoria-Gasteiz.
• 750 euros in the metropolitan areas of Bilbao and San Sebastián and in towns with more than 10,000 residents.
• 675 euros in smaller municipalities.

This assistance is available until the beneficiary turns 36.

• Castilla y León

Lastly, cities such as Valladolid, in Castilla y León, have rental subsidies for families whose aggregate annual income is between 0.5 and 3 times the IPREM. The amount of the subsidy varies depending on the municipality:

• Municipal Area 1 → Maximum rent is 550 euros/month for an apartment, or 200 euros for a room.
• Municipal Area 2 → Maximum rent is 500 euros/month for an apartment, or 175 euros for a room.
• Municipal Area 3 → Maximum rent is 450 euros/month for an apartment, or 150 euros for a room.

Conclusion

So we see that assistance is available practically throughout Spain, at national, regional or municipal level, to make renting more affordable.