Erasmus Accommodation in Alicante: Complete Guide 2026-2027

Shared flat (room rental) — The favourite choice of 80% of Erasmus students. You share a flat with other students (usually a mix of international and Spanish), have your own bedroom and share kitchen, living room and bathrooms. It's the cheapest option and where you'll make the most friends.

Studio or full apartment — For couples or students who prefer privacy. Much more expensive: a decent studio in Alicante centre is usually above €650/month with bills. Only makes sense if you're sharing with a partner.

University halls of residence — UA has several halls. Pros: everything included, social life guaranteed. Cons: high prices (€700-900/month for a single room with full board) and limited spots that fill up in May-June.

Host family — Uncommon in Alicante but available, especially if you're doing intensive Spanish at a language school. Usually includes meals. Good for fast language progress, not so much for the typical "Erasmus life".

What we do NOT recommend: tourist flats on Airbnb monthly (overpriced) or "informal" rentals without a contract (legal and scam risk).

If you study at UA (San Vicente del Raspeig), you have two reasonable options:

- San Vicente del Raspeig: walking distance to campus, cheaper (€290-380/month), 100% university vibe but quieter at night.

• Alicante city centre or Mercado: more nightlife and beach, TRAM L4 to campus (~15 minutes), slightly more expensive (€350-480/month).

  If you study at UMH (Elche): living in Elche makes sense if you spend the whole day on campus. If you mix Elche classes with Alicante social life, living in central Alicante works — there's a Renfe cercanías train every ~25 minutes.

  If you're at EASD (Art School) or Spanish language academies, living in central Alicante is the most practical option.

  Areas to avoid as an Erasmus student:

  • Industrial estates far from the city with no night public transport.
    • Flats in the outer suburbs without TRAM or TAM nearby.
      • Pure tourist areas (Playa de San Juan, Albufereta) — empty outside summer and poorly connected.

The most common mistake: starting your search 2 weeks before arrival. In September everything fills up.

Full academic year (Sept-June):

• May-June: start checking options, contact serious landlords, decide your budget.
  • July: sign the contract. Good flats are taken now.
    • August: only the worst or overpriced options remain.

      Spring semester (Feb-June):

      • November-December: the perfect moment. Flats free up because some Erasmus students leave after the first semester.
        • January: still some options but already rushed.

          Summer (July-August):

          • Warning: many flats switch to tourist rentals in July-August, prices double or triple. If your programme is summer-only (Spanish school, for example), look for accommodation adapted to your dates from the start and rule out academic-year-only flats.

Real ranges in Alicante for the 2026-2027 academic year (single room in shared flat, what 80% are looking for):

- University area (San Vicente): €290-380/month

• Alicante centre / Mercado: €350-480/month
  • Near the beach (San Juan, La Albufereta): €380-550/month
    • Full studios in the centre: from €650/month

      What the advertised price USUALLY does NOT include (important):

      • Bills: electricity (€15-25/month), water (€5-12/month), gas if any (€8-15/month), internet (almost always included).
        • Final cleaning of the flat (€15-40) deducted from the deposit.
          • Rubbish tax (uncommon, but exists).

            Deposit: Spanish law allows up to 2 months' rent. The standard for Erasmus is 1 month (refunded at the end if everything is fine).

            Standard payment method: first month + deposit by bank transfer before arrival. Always reject those who ask for cash or Western Union.

Do I need to sign a contract? Yes, always. Ask for a room rental contract or a "non-habitual residence" contract (the right one for Erasmus). If they offer rental without a contract, reject it.

Data the contract must include:

• Landlord and tenant (you) details.
  • Exact address, assigned room, which areas are shared.
    • Duration (entry and exit dates).
      • Monthly rent and bills (which are included, which are not, and if there's a cap).
        • Deposit amount and conditions to get it back.
          • House rules (quiet hours, visitors, etc.).

            Do I need a NIE to rent? No. To rent a room your passport is enough. NIE is only mandatory if you'll work or open a local bank account. EU Erasmus students are not required to get a NIE.

            Padrón (city registration): if your stay is 6 months or longer, registering pays off. It's free, done at the city hall by appointment, and you need a certificate from your landlord or a copy of your contract. The landlord must agree to sign the padrón certificate.

            Home insurance: most Erasmus flats already have insurance contracted by the landlord covering the building. You should have your own Erasmus insurance covering personal liability.

After 20 years hosting Erasmus students, these are the mistakes we hear about most:

1. Booking blindly in August when nothing good is left. Fix: start in May-June.

2. Paying 100% of the semester in advance. Never pay more than 1 month + deposit before arrival. If the landlord insists, bad sign.

3. Accepting a flat without a recent photo or video. Ask for a live WhatsApp video tour if you can't visit. If they only show generic photos or refuse, discard.

4. Sharing blindly without knowing who else lives there. Ask about your flatmates' profile (Erasmus / Spanish, ages, smoking, schedule).

5. Not reading the contract before signing. Always read, especially: duration, deposit refund conditions, what happens if you leave early.

6. Not checking the state of the flat on arrival. Take photos of every common area and your room on day one. That protects your deposit when you leave.

7. Trusting Facebook groups without verifying. Common scams: they ask for a deposit upfront and the flat doesn't exist. If a flat seems unusually cheap (under €250 in a central area), it's a scam.

What to bring:

• European adapter (Spain uses type F plug).
  • Towel and sheets for the first nights (some flats include a starter kit, others don't).
    • Documents: passport, acceptance letter, printed rental contract, European health card.

      What to do the first week:

      • Register at the padrón if your stay is ≥ 6 months.
        • Get the TAM youth pass (urban transport) — huge discounts if you're under 31.
          • Activate a Spanish SIM (Yoigo, Pepephone, Lowi: cheapest options).
            • Sign up with the local ESN: the Erasmus student association organises weekly events and is the fastest way to make friends.

              Things that will save you money:

              • Municipal markets (Mercado Central de Alicante, Mercado de Babel): fruit and vegetables far cheaper than supermarkets.
                • University canteens serve full menus for €5-6.
                  • Discount apps: Too Good To Go for leftover restaurant meals at €2-3.