If you are looking to rent a room in Spain, here is a detail you might not expect. Smokers are often more welcome than pets.
A new study by Idealista shows that 10% of room rental listings accept smokers, while only 8% allow tenants with pets.
Room rental in Spain: Rules
When you are renting a room rather than a full property, it usually means sharing space with others.
Because of that, many landlords set clear rules from the start to avoid problems later on.
And it seems pets are more of a sticking point than cigarettes.
Alicante and the Costa Blanca
If you are searching in Alicante, the numbers are quite tight.
Only 8% of listings allow pets, which puts the province among the more restrictive areas. For smokers, the figure is slightly better, with around 10% of rooms open to them.
Where pets have it easier
Some parts of Spain are far more relaxed when it comes to animals.
Cities like Girona (36%), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (32%) and San Sebastián (27%) are much more pet-friendly when it comes to shared accommodation.
At the other end of the scale, places like Teruel and Segovia sit at just 2%.
Smokers get a warmer welcome
When it comes to smoking, the picture flips slightly.
Cities such as Melilla (30%) and Cáceres (25%) are the most open to smokers. Among larger cities, Barcelona and Sevilla sit around 14%.
Valencia, however, is one of the strictest, with only 3% of listings allowing smokers.
What it means in practice
For expats on the Costa Blanca, the takeaway is simple.
If you are planning to rent a room and you have a pet, expect fewer options and a bit more searching. If you smoke, you will still need to check carefully, but you might find slightly more flexibility.
