More and more Spaniards are opting for renting, but rapidly increasing prices are drastically changing the tenant profile. A recent study reveals that the average age of tenants is rising significantly, and fewer people can afford to live alone.
According to a study published on Wednesday by the National Federation of Real Estate Associations (FAI) and the Spanish Society for Guaranteed Rentals (SEAG), the average age of tenants who signed a new rental contract in 2025 is over 35 years. This marks a significant increase compared to the last five years, during which the average age rose from 32.16 years (2020) to 36 years (2025) – an 11.9% increase. The majority of tenants are now couples, underscoring the difficulty of affording exploding rental prices in Spain alone.
The Age of Tenants is Rising: A Detailed Analysis
The study, based on rental transactions registered by real estate agencies this year, shows that the 30- to 40-year-old age group constitutes the largest segment of individuals seeking a primary rental home in Spain, accounting for 62.9%. Additionally, 21.6% are between 40 and 50 years old, and 13.9% are between 20 and 30 years old. This trend is observed nationwide, though regional differences exist.
Extremadura (31.6 years) and Castile and León (32.9 years) have the lowest average ages, which can be attributed to more affordable rental prices in these regions. At the higher end of the spectrum are the Canary Islands (39.2 years) and Cantabria (38 years), showing an age difference of up to seven years. Other regions fall within the 35 to 37-year range, with Navarra and Murcia slightly below (34.1 and 34.3 years).
This increase in the average age reflects a broader trend: renting as a housing system is gaining importance, while the average age of emancipation in Spain has risen to over 30 years. Data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) confirms that the proportion of renters in Spain increased from 14.7% of households in 2020 to 17% in 2024, at the expense of homeownership. This increase is felt across all age groups, particularly among those under 44.
Couples Dominate the Rental Market: Living Alone Becomes Unaffordable
Beyond age, the FAI and SEAG study confirms the dominance of couples among tenants. Two out of three contracts signed in 2025 were by couples (with or without children). Only 17.1% of properties rented through real estate agencies have been leased by single individuals so far this year. This highlights that current rental prices in Spain make it nearly impossible for individuals to afford rent on a single salary.
Another study by Idealista, also published on Wednesday, corroborates this: a single person would need to earn approximately €32,000 net per year for rent not to exceed 30% of their salary, based on the national average rent of a studio apartment (without a separate bedroom) being €800 per month. In major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, these requirements drastically increase to €40,000 to €47,000 net per year for a studio apartment, which costs an average of €1,022, €1,178, and €1,000 respectively. At these price levels, buying a property becomes a more financially attractive option but is often hindered by a lack of savings for the down payment.
According to FAI and SEAG, most rented apartments average 76.22 square meters and have two to three bedrooms. Tenants often face higher prices than anticipated: although the most sought-after average monthly price is around €766, the actual average rent paid reaches €895, with even higher figures in major cities.
Rental Price Hikes Lead to Migration to the Periphery
The massive price increase is leading to an “unprecedented” exodus of tenants to the periphery of major cities and provincial capitals, according to FAI. Already, 30.2% of the demand has shifted to these areas in search of more affordable prices. The president of FAI, José María Alfaro, warns: “This saving comes with high costs and is not feasible for many people, as it means more kilometers per day, more transport costs, more travel time, and in short, a lower quality of life.” He adds that the lack of affordable long-term rental housing has spread “like an oil slick across the entire territory,” even into the second and third peripheries, which has also driven up prices there.
