Kevin, a New York native, moved to Málaga to work as an English teacher through a government program. Renting in Málaga as a foreigner, without Spanish payslips or local documents, quickly turned into a dead end – until MoveSpain stepped in.
Origin: New York
Rental Budget: €1,700
Destination: Málaga
3 Bedrooms
Kevin, from New York, arrived in Málaga to teach English through a government program. He and his roommates were looking for a 3-bedroom apartment with a rental budget of €1,700.
He took the standard route: browsing listings on Idealista and contacting landlords directly. But landlords and agencies weren’t receptive, because he had no Spanish payslips or local documentation – the classic wall of renting in Málaga as a foreigner.
“People in Spain weren’t going to take me seriously as someone to rent their apartment to because I was from America…even real estate agencies couldn’t secure me a lease due to documentation issues,” Kevin shared.
Kevin contacted MoveSpain and shared his housing struggles. From that moment, our team took charge: Pablo, a relocation expert fluent in English and Spanish, became his representative and made renting in Málaga as a foreigner a workable process.
Bilingual representation, accompanied viewings and a safe, fair lease.
Also available for renters: health and home insurance, furniture and interior design and visa services.
“MoveSpain made sure that we weren’t having one pulled on us by the real estate agency because we couldn’t understand what they had written,” said Kevin.
“I couldn’t recommend the service more. MoveSpain was essential to me finding the place I have now. For anyone, especially young people in language assistance programs, this service is a game-changer for securing housing in Spain,” he concluded.
Watch Kevin tell his story in the video above. Thinking about renting in Málaga as a foreigner, or anywhere in Spain? See how we help you find your home or contact our team.
Yes, but it is harder. Many landlords and agencies ask for Spanish payslips or local documents, which is exactly where Kevin got stuck. A bilingual representative who explains your situation to landlords can make the difference: that is how Kevin secured his lease.
Landlords and agencies often ask for one, and you will need it for most official and financial paperwork in Spain, such as opening a bank account. The NIE (foreigner identification number) is managed by Spain’s migration authorities.
Residential rentals are governed by the Urban Leases Act (Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos). Make sure you understand your contract before signing: Kevin’s lease was reviewed and clarified so there were no misunderstandings with the agency.
Yes. In Kevin’s case, a background check on the landlord revealed questionable ownership, so Pablo advised him not to go ahead with that property.
