Cost of Living · Provider Overview
Relocation Services in Spain: Overview for Expats
Relocation services in Spain split into two categories: full-service packages that handle housing, paperwork, and settling-in (€3,000-15,000+), and à la carte services for specific needs like housing search or school placement (€500-2,000 per service). Most individual expats successfully relocate without professional help; families with children, corporate relocations, and those with tight timelines or low tolerance for bureaucracy find real value in paid assistance.
Last reviewed: January 2026
Overview only. This is general information about a category of services, not a recommendation or endorsement. Individual providers vary significantly. Always verify current details directly with any provider you're considering.
Who this is for
This overview may help if you:
- People relocating for work who may have employer-sponsored relocation support
- Families with children needing school placement assistance
- Those unfamiliar with Spanish housing markets or bureaucracy
- Anyone trying to understand what relocation services actually provide
This may not be the right fit if you:
- Those looking for specific service recommendations (we don't recommend providers)
- People on tight budgets who can handle the process independently
- Digital nomads or short-term visitors with flexible needs
Key tradeoffs
Important considerations when evaluating this category of services.
Full-service packages vs. à la carte services
Full-service packages (€5,000-15,000+) handle housing search, NIE appointments, school placement, utilities setup, and orientation. À la carte services (€500-2,000 per item) let you pay only for what you need. In practice, housing search is the highest-value service for most people; the rest can often be handled independently once you're on the ground.
Cost vs. time and stress savings
A relocation consultant might save you 40-60 hours of housing search and bureaucracy navigation. At €3,000-5,000 for a basic package, you're paying €50-100/hour for that time. Corporate relocations with employer coverage make this irrelevant; individuals need to decide if their time and sanity are worth that rate.
Local knowledge vs. building independence
Relocation consultants solve problems once. You'll face ongoing bureaucracy (tax filings, renewals, utilities) for years. Using a consultant for initial setup means learning these systems later instead of now. The tradeoff: easier start vs. steeper learning curve later. Some people prefer the crutch; others find it creates dependency.
Corporate packages vs. individual engagement
Employer-sponsored relocation typically uses pre-approved vendors with standardized packages—less flexibility, but you're not paying. Individual engagement means choosing exactly what you need, but corporate discounts don't apply. If your employer offers relocation support, using it almost always makes financial sense even if the vendor isn't your first choice.
What to verify
Before selecting any provider in this category, confirm these items.
- Clarify exactly what's included in any package—scope varies widely between providers.
- Understand fee structures (fixed vs. percentage of rent found, etc.) and what's excluded.
- Check whether the service includes visa/legal assistance and verify credentials for those services separately. Learn more
- Ask about their network in your target city—local expertise matters for housing and schools.
- Verify cancellation terms and what happens if you don't find suitable housing or services.
- Request references from clients with similar situations to yours.
Pricing: what varies
Cost structures differ between providers. These are common pricing factors to investigate.
| Category | What to check |
|---|---|
| Housing search | Standalone housing search: €500-2,000 depending on duration and market difficulty. Barcelona and Madrid command premium rates. Some charge flat fee; others take one month's rent (8-10% of annual rent). Flat fees are typically better value for expensive properties. |
| Full relocation packages | Comprehensive packages: €3,000-8,000 for individuals/couples, €8,000-15,000+ for families. Corporate packages often €10,000-20,000 because they include executive-level housing budgets and spousal career support. Price correlates loosely with scope—always compare itemized inclusions. |
| School placement | Education consultancy: €500-1,500 per child for placement assistance; €2,000+ if touring and applications are included. International school demand in Barcelona and Madrid is high—consultants have relationships with admissions offices that matter for waitlisted schools. |
| Settling-in services | Hourly assistance (NIE appointments, bank accounts, utility setup): €75-150/hour. Half-day orientation tours: €200-400. These services have the lowest barrier to DIY—organized people often skip them. |
| Additional costs | Excluded from almost all packages: rental deposits (2-6 months' rent), international moving (€3,000-15,000+), visa legal fees, government charges. A €5,000 relocation package can easily require €15,000+ in additional outlays to actually complete the move. |
Prices vary by provider, location, and individual circumstances. Always request current pricing directly.
Requirements: what varies
Eligibility and documentation requirements differ. These are common factors.
| Category | What to check |
|---|---|
| Timeline | Engage 2-3 months before arrival for housing search; 4-6 months for school placement (international school admissions have deadlines). Rush timelines compress options and may add 20-50% to fees. Last-minute relocation often means temporary housing while searching—a common and manageable approach. |
| Your input | Full-service doesn't mean hands-off. You'll provide documents, make decisions, attend viewings, sign leases, and show up for appointments. Expect 10-20 hours of active participation even with comprehensive support. The service handles logistics, not decision-making. |
| Budget clarity | Housing search only works within your stated budget. Consultants cannot find €1,200 apartments in central Barcelona for clients with €1,000 budgets. Be realistic upfront—inflated expectations waste everyone's time and may lead to mismatched recommendations. |
| Visa status | Housing search can begin before visa approval, but signing leases typically requires NIE or proof of visa application. School enrollment requires residency documentation. Consultants coordinate timing but cannot bypass these dependencies. |
| Language | Expat-focused services operate in English. The value is precisely that they handle Spanish-language bureaucracy on your behalf. If you're fluent in Spanish, the core rationale for using these services diminishes significantly. |
Operational notes
Day-to-day factors that affect the experience of using these services.
Service scope
Read the scope document carefully. 'Housing search' may mean 10 viewings or unlimited viewings. 'Settling-in support' may mean one day of assistance or ongoing availability. Ambiguous scopes create disputes—get specifics in writing before paying.
Geographic coverage
Barcelona and Madrid have robust relocation service markets. Valencia, Malaga, and Seville have fewer options but adequate coverage. Smaller cities may require finding services in the nearest major city. Rural areas have minimal professional coverage—expect to self-navigate.
Corporate vs. private clients
Some firms have minimum package values (€5,000+) geared toward corporate clients. Others specifically target individual families with smaller budgets. Ask about minimum engagement before detailed discussions—misalignment wastes time.
Ongoing support
Typical packages include 30-90 days of post-arrival support. After that, questions may go unanswered or incur hourly fees. If you expect to need ongoing guidance, negotiate extended support upfront rather than paying premium hourly rates later.
Network relationships
Consultants with landlord relationships can access off-market properties and expedite applications. The flip side: they may steer you toward relationship properties over better-fit alternatives. Ask whether they show properties they don't have relationships with.
Alternatives: what differs
Other approaches or provider types that serve similar needs. No rankings—each has different tradeoffs.
The majority of expats relocate without professional help. The realistic requirements: 2-4 weeks on the ground for housing search, comfort with Idealista/Fotocasa navigation, basic Spanish or willingness to use translation tools, and tolerance for bureaucratic uncertainty. If you have flexibility on timing and don't need school placement, DIY is entirely viable.
Idealista and Fotocasa are the primary rental platforms—same listings agents see. The challenge: responding quickly (good properties go within days), communicating in Spanish, and competing against applicants with Spanish income documentation. If you're comfortable with this, platform fees are zero. If not, a housing-only service (€500-1,500) may be worth it just for this step.
Facebook groups (Expats in Barcelona, Americans in Madrid) provide peer advice, landlord referrals, and warnings about scams. Information quality is mixed—outdated advice circulates alongside current experience. Useful for sanity-checking decisions, less useful as primary guidance. Free and available 24/7.
Spanish inmobiliarias work for landlords (who pay their commission) but will help you find apartments. The service is effectively free to renters, but agents prioritize their landlord relationships over your interests. Works well for straightforward searches; less helpful for negotiating terms or finding off-market properties.
The right choice depends on your specific situation. Consider your priorities before narrowing options.
Next steps
Continue your research with these related guides.
Cost of Living Hub
Understand expenses before budgeting for relocation services.
Spain Cost of Living
What varies in Spanish costs and budgeting.
Spain Country Guide
Complete overview of setting up in Spain.
Living in Barcelona
City-specific housing and settling-in context.
Healthcare Hub
Health insurance is often part of relocation planning.
Sources & references
General References
- EuRA (European Relocation Association) – Industry association; provider verification
- Individual service provider websites – Scope and pricing vary; verify directly
Note on Sources
- This is a category overview – Relocation services vary significantly. Always verify scope, credentials, and references before engaging any provider.
Information gathered from these sources as of January 2026. Provider offerings, pricing, and requirements change frequently.