University accommodation guide in Barcelona: options, prices and tips

Finding accommodation is one of the first decisions you will have to make if you are going to study in Barcelona. The city offers different alternatives for students, such as:

• University residences
• Shared flats
• Rooms
• Private apartments or studios

The best option will depend on your budget, the university where you study, the level of privacy you are looking for and the services you need.
In this guide, we explain what alternatives are available and what you should take into account before booking.

University residences are an especially practical option for those arriving in Barcelona from another city or country and looking to have their accommodation organised from the beginning. In addition to having a place to live, they allow you to share your daily life with other students and meet new people.

Regarding accommodation, the options may vary depending on the residence. They may also include additional services that make students’ daily routines easier, such as maintenance, cleaning or laundry.

The price of a residence depends on factors such as location, room type, included services and length of stay. Therefore, before choosing, it is advisable to check what the monthly fee includes and compare the different options according to your needs and budget.

Sharing a flat allows you to divide the rent and some expenses between several people. It can also be a good way to meet people, share experiences and gain independence during your university years.
One of the main advantages is that you can find flats in different areas of Barcelona and choose between different options according to your budget. 

However, before renting, it is important to take into account which expenses are included, how much is paid for utilities and whether there are other costs, such as the deposit or management fees.

You will also have to organise aspects such as cleaning, shopping for common areas, schedules and living arrangements with your flatmates. Therefore, it is advisable to discuss the flat rules beforehand and make sure that the atmosphere and way of living suit you.

Renting a room allows you to have a private space and share the common areas with other students. It can be an intermediate alternative between living alone and sharing the entire accommodation, especially if you are looking to reduce the cost of rent.

The price can vary considerably depending on the area of Barcelona, the size of the room, the condition of the flat and the services or expenses included. Some rooms are furnished, which can be practical if you are moving to the city to start your studies and do not want to buy furniture.

Before choosing this option, it is advisable to check which areas are shared, how many people live in the flat and which expenses are included in the price. It is also important to know the contract conditions, length of stay and living arrangements.

Studios offer greater privacy and usually combine sleeping, studying and cooking areas in the same space, as well as normally having a private bathroom. They are an option for those who prefer to have their own space and not share the main areas of the accommodation.

In exchange for this greater independence, the price is usually higher than that of a room in a shared flat. In addition to the rent, it is important to check whether utilities, internet, cleaning or other services are included or paid for separately.

Studios can be particularly interesting for students looking for peace and quiet, flexibility and their own space to organise their routine. Before deciding, compare the size, equipment, location, included services and total monthly cost, not just the rental price.

Each type of accommodation offers different conditions in terms of privacy, services, price and social life. Comparing these characteristics will help you find the option that best suits your needs and way of living.

Before comparing prices, always check which services are included and which you will have to pay for separately.

The monthly budget depends on the type of accommodation and your lifestyle. In addition to the price of the accommodation, you should take into account:

• Accommodation: rent, residence or room.
• Utilities: water, electricity, gas and internet when they are not included.
• Transport: metro, bus, train or FGC.
• Food: weekly shopping and eating out.
• Deposit: initial payment that may vary depending on the accommodation.
• Other expenses: university materials, leisure, phone, gym or hygiene products.

Rental prices also vary considerably depending on the area of Barcelona. According to data from the Generalitat de Catalunya, between January and March 2026 the average rent for a home in the city was €1,137.35 per month. However, this figure is an average for Barcelona as a whole and there are differences between districts: in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi the average was €1,599.89, while in Nou Barris it was €816.57.

You can consult the updated data by district and neighbourhood on the Barcelona City Council Data Portal.
Remember that when comparing options, you should always calculate the total monthly cost, including accommodation, utilities, transport and other regular expenses.

Before choosing where to live, you should not only focus on the price. Location, services, stay conditions and connections to your university are also important when finding accommodation that suits your daily life.
Before booking, check these aspects:

1. Location: check the distance to your university and how long it will actually take you to get there. You can also consider the proximity to supermarkets, pharmacies, gyms, shopping areas and other services that you regularly use.
2. Transport: check the metro, bus, train and FGC connections near the accommodation. Do not only look at the distance, but also the total travel time and whether you need to make several changes.
3. Total price: in addition to the rent, check whether you will have to pay for utilities, internet, cleaning, maintenance or other services. This will allow you to calculate how much you will actually spend each month.
4. Included services: depending on the accommodation, services such as wifi, cleaning, maintenance, laundry, reception or common areas may be included. Check which ones are included and which have an additional cost.
5. Length of stay: check whether there is a minimum stay and whether the accommodation allows stays by month, semester or for the entire academic year. This point is especially important if you are only going to study in Barcelona for a few months.
6. Contract and conditions: before signing, read the accommodation conditions and check aspects such as the length of stay, payment method, check-in and check-out dates and the conditions for ending the stay.
7. Deposit and other initial payments: find out how much you will have to pay when you move in and what that amount includes. Do not make any payment without first knowing the conditions and what you are booking.
8. Room and privacy: check whether the room is individual or shared, whether it is furnished and how much space you will have to store your clothes and personal belongings.
9. Kitchen and equipment: check whether there is a kitchen, whether it is private or shared and what appliances and utensils are available. If you are going to cook regularly, this aspect can make an important difference in your daily life.
10. Bathroom: check whether you will have a private or shared bathroom and how many people will use it. In a shared flat, it is also important to know how many students live in the property.
11. Common areas: consider whether there are spaces such as a living room, terrace, gym, leisure rooms or outdoor areas. In addition to being useful in everyday life, they can make it easier to socialise with other students.

The best area will depend on where your university is located and also on the journey you may have from the residence to the place you need to go. Do not settle for simply seeing that it has one, but compare prices, places, stays, people and the documentation of each residence.

If you study at UB

The University of Barcelona has different faculties in Barcelona. Living in central areas can make commuting easier and provide access to nearby services, shops and leisure activities.

If you study at UPF

UPF has different campuses within Barcelona. Living in the city centre can be a practical option for combining university and urban life.

If you study at UPC

UPC has centres in Barcelona and other locations such as Sant Cugat, Castelldefels, Manresa and Terrassa. In this case, first check which campus your degree is taught at.

If you study at UAB

The main campus of UAB is located in Bellaterra. You can consider living in Barcelona or in towns in the surrounding metropolitan area, always taking into account the connections to the campus.

If you study at ESADE

ESADE has campuses in Barcelona and Sant Cugat. If you study at the Sant Cugat campus, living nearby can considerably reduce your daily commute.

The area where you live can make a difference to your daily life as a student. When choosing, you should take into account certain aspects such as: the distance to the university, transport connections, the atmosphere of the neighbourhood and the type of lifestyle you are looking for.

A university residence usually offers simpler management and services designed for students, while a shared flat can allow you to share expenses and have greater autonomy over the accommodation.

If you want to find out more about the differences between both options, you can consult our guide on university residence vs. shared flat.

If you are coming to study in Barcelona from another country, finding accommodation in advance will help you arrive with everything more organised. Before booking, it is important to check the documentation, stay conditions and included services.
Before booking, check:

• Required documentation.
• Check-in and check-out dates.
• Booking fee and deposit.
• Included services.
• Cancellation conditions.
• Possibility of a semester stay.

Booking in advance also allows you to compare the different options available more effectively.

It is advisable to start looking for information between 3 and 6 months before starting the academic year.

• 6 months before: compare areas, prices and universities.
• 3-4 months before: start contacting accommodation providers.
• 1-2 months before: try to have your booking confirmed.
• Last few weeks: the available options may be more limited.

If you are going to study in Barcelona for the full academic year, the sooner you know your university and dates, the sooner you can start looking.

Looking for accommodation in a hurry can cause you to overlook important aspects. To avoid problems and choose an option that suits your needs, it is worth reviewing some of the most common mistakes before booking.
When looking for university accommodation, avoid these mistakes:

• Focusing only on the price.
• Not calculating transport costs.
• Not checking which services are included.
• Not reading the cancellation conditions.
• Not checking the minimum stay.
• Booking too late.
• Not checking the exact location of the campus.
• Not considering the space available for studying.

Before booking your university accommodation, it is important to check some basic aspects to avoid surprises.

This checklist will help you make sure that everything is clear before confirming your stay, check:
☐ Location and distance to the university.
☐ Transport connections.
☐ Total monthly price.
☐ Included services.
☐ Minimum length of stay.
☐ Deposit and cancellation conditions.
☐ Room and bathroom type.
☐ Kitchen and common areas.
☐ Cleaning and maintenance.
☐ Documentation required to book.

The area will mainly depend on the location of your university and your preferences. You can prioritise living close to the campus, having good transport connections, being in a central area or looking for a quieter environment.

Yes. Many options allow you to complete the booking process before arriving in Barcelona. Before doing so, it is important to check the required documentation, stay conditions, deposit and included services.

Check the location, total price, included services, minimum stay, cancellation conditions, room type, common areas and any additional costs.

Yes, some options offer semester stays, although conditions may vary depending on the accommodation. It is important to check the minimum stay and availability for the dates you need.

At Unihabit you will find different accommodation options for students in Barcelona and other university cities.

Unihabit Barcelona – Ciutat Vella

The Unihabit Barcelona – Ciutat Vella University Residence is located in the centre of Barcelona and is an option for students who want to live close to different universities and enjoy urban life.

Unihabit Barcelona – Gràcia

The Unihabit Gràcia university apartments allow you to live in Barcelona in an area that is well connected to different parts of the city.

Unihabit Sant Cugat

The Unihabit Sant Cugat University Residence is located on the ETSAV-UPC campus and is the best option for students at ETSAV-UPC.

Unihabit Girona

The Unihabit Girona University Residence – Montilivi Campus is located on the Montilivi Campus, next to many of the UdG faculties.

Unihabit Manresa

The Unihabit Manresa University Residence is located on the city’s university campus, very close to UManresa and UPC.