Short-Term Rentals in Valencia: The Complete 2026 Guide

A short-term rental in Valencia meets a very specific need: living in the city for a few weeks or months without signing a multi-year residential lease. It is the usual choice for professionals relocated for a project, postgraduate students, families waiting to move into a new home, and newcomers who want to get to know the neighbourhoods before settling on one.

In this guide we explain how these rentals work under Spanish law, what they cost in 2026, which areas are worth considering and what to check before you sign. We write from our experience managing more than 80 furnished apartments across seven buildings we own in Valencia.

What a short-term rental is and who it suits

In Spain, a short-term or temporary rental is known legally as a seasonal lease (arrendamiento de temporada). It is a contract for a limited period, tied to a specific reason: a work assignment, an academic programme, renovation work on your own home or a settling-in period in the city. The difference from a standard residential lease is not only the length but the purpose: the tenant's permanent home is elsewhere.

It works particularly well for:

• Relocated professionals on a project lasting several months or a new posting.
• Master's and PhD students or researchers with a fixed academic stay.
• Families in transition waiting for a new home or renovating their own.
• People moving to Valencia who would rather live in the city for a few months before looking for something permanent.
• Companies that need to house teams or relocated staff. We cover this in our guide to corporate apartment rentals in Valencia.

How seasonal leases work under Spanish law

Seasonal leases are governed by Article 3 of the Spanish Urban Leases Act (LAU), which classes them as leases for a use other than permanent housing. In practice, this means:

• A stated reason for the stay. The contract must set out why you need the accommodation (work, study or a specific personal reason) and a duration consistent with that reason.
• An agreed duration. The LAU sets no minimum or maximum for this type of contract; it depends on the reason. At DLS Spaces, stays run from 21 nights to 11 months.
• A two-month deposit. In the Valencian Community, temporary-use contracts require a deposit of two months' rent, which the landlord lodges with the Generalitat Valenciana (the regional government) within 15 working days.
• No registration at the address. DLS Homes does not permit empadronamiento (registering the apartment as your address at the town hall). Doing so would treat the property as your permanent residence and legally reclassify the temporary-use contract as a standard residential lease.

This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For your specific situation, we recommend consulting a qualified professional.

How much a short-term rental in Valencia costs in 2026

The price depends on the size of the apartment, the building, the time of year and the length of the stay. As a guide, these are the monthly ranges at DLS Spaces:

Apartments come fully furnished and equipped, with the main costs included in the monthly fee: utilities, wifi and maintenance carried out by our own team. The price you see is, in practice, the real cost of living in the apartment.

When working out your upfront budget, remember the two-month deposit. For example, for a one-bedroom apartment at €1,830 a month, the initial outlay would be around €5,490 (first month plus two months' deposit, which is returned at the end of the contract if there are no issues). For a fuller cost breakdown, see our guide to monthly apartment rental in Valencia: prices and what is included.

Seasonal, short-stay and residential leases: the differences

These three types of rental are often confused. This table sums up the essentials:

"Short stay" is not a legal category in itself: depending on length and use, it falls under either a seasonal lease or holiday rental rules. We explain this in detail in our guide to short-stay apartment rentals in Valencia.

The best areas in Valencia for a short-term rental

The area shapes your day-to-day life as much as the apartment does. Our buildings are spread across four parts of the city, each with its own character:

• Ciutat Vella (El Carmen). Buildings on Calle Alta and Calle Huertos. The historic centre, where everything is walkable and the old Turia riverbed is a few minutes away. A good fit if you want neighbourhood life and do not need a car.
• Ruzafa and Eixample. Buildings on Calle Cádiz and Calle Cuba. A district with plenty of restaurants and cultural venues, well connected to Joaquín Sorolla station and the city centre.
• Extramurs (La Petxina). Buildings on Juan Llorens and Calle Turia. Quieter and more residential, next to the Turia Gardens, with good metro and bus links.
• La Raïosa (Jesús). Building on Compromiso Caspe. A local, everyday neighbourhood close to the train station, where day-to-day services are more affordable.

Some of our buildings also hold GBCe VERDE sustainability certification. If you are still unsure which neighbourhood suits you, our guide on where to stay in Valencia by neighbourhood will help you decide.

How to book a short-term rental, step by step

1. Set your dates and the reason for your stay. This helps you choose the right length and prepare the contract paperwork.
2. Choose your apartment and area. On our website you can filter by building, apartment type and available dates.
3. Book online. Our own booking platform guides you through every step.
4. Sign the contract. It includes the reason for the stay, the agreed duration and the two-month deposit.
5. Move in. During your stay, cleaning and maintenance are handled by our own team, with no intermediaries.

Working with a company that owns its portfolio has a clear advantage: every apartment follows the same standard, and any issue is resolved by the same team that runs the building. If you are comparing providers, our guide on how to choose a temporary rental company in Valencia may help.

We offer phone support in Spanish and English, and written support in six languages: Spanish, English, French, German, Italian and Dutch.

Frequently asked questions about short-term rentals in Valencia

What is the minimum and maximum length of a short-term rental?

Spanish law sets no fixed duration for seasonal leases: it must be consistent with the reason for the stay. At DLS Spaces, stays run from 21 nights to 11 months.

Can I register my address (empadronamiento) at a short-term rental?

No. DLS Homes does not permit registration at the address, as it would turn the temporary-use contract into a standard residential lease (Article 3 LAU). For your specific situation, we recommend consulting a qualified professional.

How much is the deposit for a short-term rental in Valencia?

Two months' rent. In the Valencian Community, the landlord must lodge it with the Generalitat Valenciana within 15 working days, and it is returned at the end of the contract if there are no issues.

Did the law on seasonal rentals change in 2026?

Royal Decree-Law 26/2026 introduced changes to seasonal leases on 1 October 2026, but the Spanish Parliament repealed it on 2 October. The previous framework under Article 3 of the LAU therefore still applies.

Are pets allowed?

Yes, in all our buildings except the one on Calle Turia. Up to two pets are allowed, with a supplement of €200 per month per pet.

What is the difference between a short-term rental and a holiday rental?

A short-term (seasonal) rental is governed by the LAU and designed for stays of weeks or months with a specific purpose. Holiday rentals fall under regional tourism regulations and are aimed at leisure stays of days or weeks.