Moving2Madrid is a relocation and real estate company for expats by expats.
We focus on accommodation, the most important part in a relocation, and also support our clients for all other needs: Madrid orientation, moving in, financial and legal obligations, adaptation to Spanish culture, networking and integrating, finding a school, healthcare.
We enable expats to move to Madrid via a leading blog, innovative relocation products and services they can afford and relate to.
Moving2Madrid makes your move seemless, from A to Z.
According to a study by a rental insurance company, 18 days on average. On average, expats moving to Madrid take 1 to 3 weeks for find a flat. And many finally the quality property they really enjoy when they search for the second time with all the new knowledge they have.
More than 40 000 people relocate every year in Madrid. The expat community is growing in Madrid while the rental properties only represent 13 % of all properties. Quality standards are lower than in cities such as Paris, London or New York: heating, sunlight and modern furniture are optional here. On top of this, many landlords ask for 3 to 6 months deposit and the last 3 pay slips.
Find a place to rent is easy – the difficult part is finding a quality property rental complying with your requirements at the right time.
Yes, but only when you have moved in you new flat and are 100 % satisfied.
You pay for the usual fee for rental search by real estate agents in Spain – 1 month’s rent. The difference is you will have included on top:
First of all, you can check my credentials and recommendation as Moving2Madrid founder and freelance consultant on linkedin.
You can also look up my posts in the #1 expats in Madrid blog as author, or on the official HSBC blog for expats.
I am the responsible for EDHEC Business School (Top 15 according to FT) in Spain – see the official website.
You can call me anytime (+34 622 691 827), and also organize a virtual tour, so you can ask me live via video and skype which part of the flat you want to see. Being an expat like you are, I faced the same issues you’re about to face – read my story here and here.
There’s no minimum as such. The shorter the stay, the more expensive the rent for the same given property.
Standard contracts with the best prices will for a minimum of one year, and then you are able to leave with a 30 days notice. The landlord will have to leave you in the flat for 5 years if you wish to as a minmum.
We make sure that, even if the expat is far from Spain, he gets to see the best properties thanks to:
If you want to book your flat right now, you just have to send me an e-mail at email@Moving2Madrid.com and send an advance payment as agreed with the landlord to the following account: BIC CODE: INGDESMMXXX / ACCOUNT NUMBER: ES42 1465 0100 97 2026896333. As soon as the money is received, I will keep the flat for you. This reservation will be deducted from the deposit.
Legally the minimum is 2 months rent for a furnished rent, directly managed by Madrid’s official department to protect renters.
For people who can’t prove stable revenues, 1 or 2 more months may be required. Many landlords ask for abusive 8 months in total. In these cases, negotiation is required.
To put it simply, for quality properties in the center of Madrid:
– Room in Shared Flat: 400 – 550 €
– Studio: 700 – 800 €
– 1 Bedroom Appartment: 850 – 1000 €
– 2 Bedroom Appartment: 1100 – 1400 €
Aim for 14-15 € per square meter a month in centrical neighbourhoods. You can find as cheap as 10 € per square meter a month in cheaper neighbourhoods.
More details in my blog post about the Cost Of Living in Madrid.
To put it simply, all included (water, electricity, gas, phone, community expenses, taxes) per month:
– Room in Shared Flat: 40 – 80 €
– Studio: 100 – 150 €
– 1 Bedroom Appartment: 100 – 150 €
– 2 Bedroom Appartment: 150 – 250 €
More details in my blog post about the Cost Of Living in Madrid.
If you don’t wish to, no. Every month, you can receive by e-mail the total expenses to be payed with rent plus management fees.
Or you can contract a “utilities package” with Moving2Madrid – fixed price all included for all of your stay. Ask for a quote.
New taxes come up once in a while, like the 2010 “Garbage tax” Madrid invented. 50 to 200 € a year. Or Real Estate taxes increase (IBI increase 2011). This will never affect you during your stay. Legally the landlord has to pay them. However, the contract can include a special clause that states the tenant should pay it. Another reason why you need someone knowledgeable and professional to review your contract, always.
Madrid is a safe city, much safer for instance than other european capital cities such as Paris or London. For example, ratio of policemen per citizen is the highest of all European Union.
Beware of pickpockets in touristic places and you should be safe.
As for neighbourhoods, all the city center is always packed with people at any time of night or day, which means you will never feel alone in a street.
I created a google map describing the top neighbourhoods for expats and newcomers. Just have a look and choose your future neighbourhood !
Apart from this, to live close to expat communities, I would recommend specific neighbourhoods out of the city center close to international schools. For the French community, metro Canillas and Esperanza next to the “Liceo Francés”. For the British, British schools are in posh suburbs such as la Moraleja, Pozuelo and to hang out, better go to the city center where there are plenty of typical pubs like Triskel where the Liverpool fans gather for instance.
The best would be to tell me what kind of life you like to live, what kind of surroundings and activites, and I will tell you the best neighbourhood for you.
Of course, I cannot promise anything there. Here is what I am sure of:
– There are more jobs in Madrid than anywhere else in Spain,
– Madrid is lacking professionals with language skills (as opposed to Barcelona or the coast),
– I knew basic Spanish and got a job within 6 months of searching,
– I will support you with my advice for finding a job, and we can schedule a specific career support session.
Have a look at my detailed article on “How to find a job in Spain” and ask me any question at email@Moving2Madrid.com.
According to the WHO, Spain’s healthcare is ranked 7th in the World, yet ranks 24th overall in cost per person (lower rank is better) – in a nutshell: great and also great value for money. I can even say that from my personal experience, Madrid health system is better than London, Paris, Toronto or Beijing.
Two solutions:
– if you’re from the European Union, do ask for free for the European Health Insurance Card. It’s as of you were Spanish.
– if you’re from outside the European Union, either you work and pay taxes in Spain, which entitles to a Social Security number like everyone. If you do not work in any way or pay taxes to the Spanish state, you will have to get a Private Healthcare Insurance. Contact me to get the inside cut on what’s the best for you depending on your country of provenance.
There are several international schools in Madrid. Yet, available slots are hard to get. We assist in selection procedure all year long.
Have a look at our interactive map with the best schools for expat children in Madrid. This will enable you to see which neighbourhoods are closest to the expat schools you are interested in.
A taxi to most places in Madrid is about 30-40 €. The taxi service in Madrid is good and are easy to find at the airport or anywhere around Madrid.
As for public transport, there’s a direct metro line to Madrid (see google transit to see the exact way to your place) during the day from 6:00 until about 1:00 and a public 24h airport express bus service for only 2 €.
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Pierre-Alban WATERS – Moving2Madrid Madrid
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