Hi everyone, I’ve run into a tricky situation recently and would love to hear your advice.
My family and I bought an apartment in the suburbs of Barcelona a couple of years ago, partly motivated by considerations like educational benefits for returning students, and we were living there quite happily. But because of some family matters back home, we might need to return for a year or two. Now the house has become a problem—it’s a common concern for many of us after buying property in Spain: what do we do with it when we leave? I’ve done some research and spoken with a lawyer, and it seems there are a few options. I’m sharing them here for discussion.
Main Options for Managing Your Property
1. Long-Term Rental
This is the most common and hassle-free option. Find a reliable tenant, sign a long-term contract, and you’ll have a steady rental income each month, plus someone to ‘look after’ the house. It is highly recommended to purchase rental default insurance (seguro de impago de alquiler). If the tenant fails to pay, the insurance company will step in and cover the losses, saving you a lot of legal trouble. The downside is that the rental yield might not be as high as with short-term lets, and finding a good tenant is often a matter of luck.
2. Short-Term / Tourist Rental
If your property is in a popular tourist area, this could be a highly profitable option. Renting it out on platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com can generate significant income during the high season. But the drawbacks are significant: first, you need to apply for a tourist rental license (licencia turística). In many large cities, like Barcelona, these are currently very difficult to obtain as new licenses are rarely issued. Second, the management is very hands-on, requiring someone to handle cleaning, key exchanges, and any emergencies. It’s nearly impossible to manage this remotely by yourself.
3. Leaving It Vacant
This was the first option I ruled out. Besides having to continue paying fixed expenses like the IBI (property tax) and community fees, the biggest risk is illegal occupation by squatters, known as Okupas. Spanish law isn’t particularly strong in protecting homeowners in this regard. Once your property is targeted, the legal process to evict them is long and costly. I strongly advise against taking this risk.
How to Manage Remotely?
Whether you opt for a long-term or short-term rental, you’ll definitely need an ‘agent’ if you’re not in Spain. There are essentially two ways to go about it:
| Management Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|
| Hiring a professional property management company | Professional, hassle-free, knowledgeable about laws, can handle disputes | Charges a management fee |
| Asking a trusted friend or relative | No management fee, easy communication | You’ll owe them a favor, they may lack professional expertise, difficult to hold them accountable if things go wrong |
Personally, I’m leaning towards hiring a professional management company. It costs money, but it buys peace of mind, especially when you’re dealing with an asset worth hundreds of thousands of euros.
Has anyone else been in a similar situation? How did you manage your property? Any recommendations for reliable property management companies? Feel free to leave a comment and share your experience!
