How much does a student room cost in Madrid?
A room in a shared apartment in Madrid costs €400–800 a month. Prices by neighborhood, upfront move-in costs and a full monthly student budget.
A room in a shared apartment in Madrid costs €400–800 a month. A room with its own bathroom runs €700–1,000, and a studio €1,100–1,900. On top of rent, budget for what you pay upfront to move in, utilities if they're not included, and everyday costs.
This guide breaks down what each type of place costs, which neighborhoods fit which budget, and how much money you really need for your first month. It also explains the Spanish terms you'll come across, so nothing in a listing or contract catches you off guard.
The short answer is:
Room in a shared apartment: €400–800/month.
Room with a private bathroom: €700–1,000/month.
Studio or small apartment: €1,100–1,900/month.
Utilities, if not included: €50–120/month for a room, up to about €220 for a studio.
Upfront to move in: about 2.5 months' rent on average.
Total monthly budget (rent + living costs): €750–1,600.
Spanish words you'll see in listings and contracts
Contracts and messages with landlords in Madrid are often in Spanish. These are the words that matter for your budget.
Spanish | What it means |
|---|---|
Piso compartido | Shared apartment (flat) |
Habitación | Room |
Estudio | Studio |
Gastos incluidos | Bills included in the rent |
Suministros | Utilities: electricity, water, gas and internet |
Fianza | Security deposit, returned when your contract ends |
Tarifa de administración | Admin fee many landlords charge to prepare your room and look after you during your stay |
Mensualidad | One month's rent |
How much does each type of place cost?
Price depends mostly on two things: how many people you share with, and whether the bathroom is yours. Location matters, but less than you'd think.
Type of place | Price (€/month) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
Room in a shared apartment (4–6 people) | 400–600 | Undergrads on a tight budget who want a lively apartment |
Room in a shared apartment (2–3 people) | 550–800 | Students further into their degree who want it calmer |
Room with a private bathroom | 700–1,000 | Master's and exchange students who'd rather skip the bathroom queue |
Studio or small apartment | 1,100–1,900 | Full independence |
Student residence (residencia) | Varies, usually includes services | First year away from home |
A tip: always compare prices with bills included. A €550 room with electricity, water, gas and internet included costs the same as, or less than, a €500 room that charges them separately.
Utilities can be included in the rent, partly included, or charged as a fixed monthly fee. With a fixed fee, expect €50–120 a month for a room and up to about €220 for a studio.
Room prices by neighborhood
Neighborhoods next to Ciudad Universitaria (home to Complutense and UPM) and in the center cost the most. If your university is well connected by metro, living two or three stops further out saves you €100–200 a month.
Neighborhood | Room (€/month) | Near | Why choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
Moncloa · Argüelles | 550–900 | Complutense, UPM | Walk to class, surrounded by students |
Chamberí | 600–950 | CEU, IE, Comillas | Quiet, safe and very well connected |
Malasaña · Centro | 550–1,000 | All, by metro | Neighborhood life and nightlife on your doorstep |
Lavapiés · Embajadores | 500–800 | All, by metro | Young crowd, more affordable |
Tetuán | 450–750 | Complutense, Nebrija | Good value for the connections |
Puente de Vallecas | 400–700 | All, by metro | Metro Line 1 straight to the center, among the lowest prices |
Usera · Carabanchel | 400–650 | All, by metro | The cheapest option inside Madrid |
Not sure which area suits you? Browse student rooms in Madrid and filter by area to see what's near your university.
What you pay before you move in
Rent isn't your first big expense; moving in is. Getting into a room in Madrid takes about 2.5 months' rent upfront on average, so plan for it from the start.
What | Usually | What it is |
|---|---|---|
First month's rent | 1 month | The month you move in, paid upfront when you book or sign. |
Deposit (fianza) | 1–2 months | Returned by your landlord when the contract ends, as long as the room is in good condition. |
Admin fee (tarifa de administración) | Depends on the landlord | Charged by many landlords to prepare your room before you arrive and look after you during your stay: maintenance, repairs and help when you need it, a bit like a hotel concierge. |
Example: for a €500/month room, expect €1,000–1,500 before you get your keys, depending on the deposit and the admin fee.
Cost of living in Madrid for students: monthly budget
Including rent, a student in Madrid spends €750–1,600 a month. The difference comes down to the type of room and how often you go out.
Expense | Per month |
|---|---|
Room | €400–1,000 |
Utilities (if not included) | €50–120 |
Youth transport pass (Abono Joven) | €10 |
Food and groceries | €200–300 |
Phone | €10–20 |
Going out | €80–150 |
Total | €750–1,600 |
If you're under 26, the Abono Joven youth pass covers metro, buses and commuter trains (Cercanías) across the whole Madrid region for €10 a month. It's the easiest saving on the list.
A Spanish prepaid SIM costs about €10–20 a month, and you'll need your passport to activate it.
How not to overpay (or get scammed) when booking from abroad
Prices go up in July, August and September, when everyone is searching at once. Students who book in May or June get more choice and less pressure.
Start looking 3–4 months before you arrive.
Always ask whether bills are included, and get the total move-in cost in writing.
Be wary if anyone asks for a bank transfer before you've seen a contract.
Be wary of prices 30% below the area average: they're usually bait or a scam.
Never pay through a money-transfer service to someone who says they're abroad and will send you the keys.
Read the contract before you sign. If it's only in Spanish, run it through a translator first.
If you're booking from abroad, use a platform that protects your payment until you move in.
How it works on Rezefy
Your next home, without the hassle. On Rezefy you see every cost on the listing before you confirm, and you book 100% online. With SecureStay, your first month's rent stays with Rezefy until 24 hours after you move in: if everything's fine, it goes to your landlord; if something serious goes wrong, Rezefy refunds it and helps you find another place.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a student room in Madrid cost on average?
€400–800 a month in a shared apartment, and €700–1,000 with a private bathroom.
What's the cheapest area in Madrid for students?
Usera, Carabanchel and Puente de Vallecas, with rooms from about €400 and direct metro lines to the center.
How much money do I need to move into a room in Madrid?
About 2.5 months' rent on average: first month, deposit and, if there is one, the admin fee. For a €500 room, that's €1,000–1,500.
What's the cost of living in Madrid for a student?
€750–1,600 a month including rent, depending on the type of room and how often you go out.
Are bills included in student rooms in Madrid?
Sometimes. They can be included, partly included, or charged as a fixed monthly fee of about €50–120 for a room and up to €220 for a studio.
Can I book a room in Madrid from abroad without seeing it?
Yes, if the platform reviews its listings and protects your payment until you move in. Never send money to someone you can't verify.
When should I start looking for a room in Madrid?
May–June for a September start, and November for a January start.
