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The short answer
Without a Spanish nómina (payslip), landlords usually want another form of security: a guarantor in Spain, a bank guarantee (aval bancario), several months paid in advance, approval by the landlord's rent-default insurer, or strong proof of savings or foreign income. The Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos limits what can be demanded for a housing lease, so check article 36 of the consolidated law on the BOE before agreeing to large extra guarantees.
In Spain, a landlord or agency will normally ask for your last few payslips and your employment contract before signing a lease. A Nigerian who has just arrived, works remotely for a company abroad, studies, or is self-employed often has none of these. That does not make renting impossible, but it changes what you need to show. This guide sets out the alternatives landlords accept, the legal limits that protect you, and how to present your case.
Why landlords ask for a nómina
A payslip from a Spanish employer tells a landlord three things at once: you have regular income, it is paid in Spain, and it can be checked. Many landlords also insure the rent against non-payment, and the insurer sets the documents it needs. Without a payslip you need to answer the same three questions in another way.
What landlords accept instead
| Option | How it works | Points to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Guarantor (avalista) | A person in Spain with income signs as jointly liable for the rent | They are liable if you do not pay; check the clause carefully |
| Aval bancario | Your bank guarantees a set amount, usually blocking that sum in your account | The bank charges for the guarantee; the money is tied up |
| Rent paid in advance | You pay several months ahead | Ask for a receipt and a clause on how it is applied |
| Insurer approval | The landlord's rent-default insurer assesses you | See our guide to seguro de impago |
| Proof of savings or foreign income | Bank statements, a foreign contract, tax returns | Have them translated if not in Spanish |
Legal limits that protect you
Housing leases are governed by the Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos (LAU). Two points matter most here:
- Duration. Under article 9.1, the length of the lease is freely agreed, but if it is shorter than five years (seven if the landlord is a company or other legal person), it is extended year by year until it reaches that minimum, unless you give at least thirty days' notice before it ends.
- Deposit and extra guarantees. The LAU sets a legal deposit (fianza) for housing and caps additional guarantees on long leases. We could not read article 36 in our October 2026 fetch, so we do not state the amounts; read the consolidated text on the BOE before you pay.
Building a file a landlord will accept
- A cover note in Spanish: who you are, why you are in Spain, how you pay, how long you plan to stay.
- Identity: passport, NIE and TIE if you have it.
- Income: foreign employment contract, last months of bank statements showing salary, or a contract with a Spanish employer that has not yet produced a payslip.
- Savings: statements showing enough to cover the lease, ideally in euro.
- Work history: once you have worked in Spain, your vida laboral, which you can download online with an FNMT digital certificate (free for adults with an NIE).
- References: a previous landlord in Nigeria or elsewhere, translated.
Worked example (illustrative)
Example: Tunde earns €3,000 a month from a UK employer and has €9,000 in savings. The flat costs €1,000 a month. He offers a one-month deposit, three months in advance and his savings statements. Upfront cost: €1,000 + €3,000 = €4,000, leaving €5,000 of savings. These figures are illustrative; check what your lease and the LAU allow.
If you work remotely for a company abroad
Remote workers are a growing share of Nigerian arrivals, and landlords are not always sure how to read their documents. Present foreign income so it can be checked quickly: a contract on the employer's letterhead, a recent letter confirming your role and salary, and bank statements where the salary credit is easy to spot. If you are on a telework visa, the resolution itself shows that a Spanish authority reviewed your income. Convert amounts into euro in your cover note and say which date's rate you used, so the landlord is not guessing.
Scams aimed at newcomers
- Never pay a deposit for a flat you have not seen, in person or on a live video call with the landlord.
- Check the owner: ask for a simple land registry note (nota simple) and compare names.
- Be wary of landlords abroad who ask for money transfers before handing over keys.
- Pay by bank transfer to an account in the landlord's name, not cash.
Once you have a lease, register on the padrón; see how the fianza works and our first 90 days guide.
Where Pryme fits
Landlords want proof they can trust. A Pryme account statement can be generated as a verifiable statement through VerifyDoc.ai, which the landlord can check is genuine and unaltered. Euro and naira balances sit side by side in one multicurrency account, opened from any country.
Questions people ask
Can I rent in Spain without a work contract?
Yes, if you offer another form of security such as a guarantor, a bank guarantee, advance rent or proof of savings. Each landlord decides what to accept.
How many months can a landlord ask as a deposit in Spain?
The LAU sets the legal deposit for housing and caps extra guarantees; check article 36 in the consolidated text on the BOE for the current limits.
What is an aval bancario for renting?
A guarantee from your bank that it will pay a set sum if you default, usually backed by blocking that amount in your account.
Can a landlord end my lease after one year?
If the agreed term is under five years (seven for a company landlord), the LAU extends it annually to that minimum unless you give notice.
Sources
- BOE: Ley 29/1994 de Arrendamientos Urbanos (texto consolidado) · accessed Oct 2026
- FNMT-RCM: Certificado de persona física · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.