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Top 5 property management companies in Spain
Owning an investment property in Spain is a great way to generate rental income and have a place to stay when you visit for vacation. However, many property owners find themselves stretched too thin trying to manage their property from thousands of miles away.
A reliable property management company in Spain can take that stress off your shoulders. They will help you stay booked out with tenants and handle maintenance and repairs so that the only thing you have to do is collect a check every month.
Here are the top 5 property management companies in Spain, plus everything you need to know about how property management works in the country.
We'll also introduce the Wise account, which allows you to send, spend, and receive your money across the globe in over 40 currencies – all at the fair mid-market rate.
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What does a property management company do?
Property management companies handle the day-to-day operations of your property, including:
- Finding and screening tenants
- Collecting rent and handling payments
- Coordinating repairs and maintenance
- Managing tenant complaints and issues
- Marketing your property
- Handling legal paperwork
- Conducting regular property inspections
- Managing security deposits and lease renewals
A good property management company can save you a lot of time and headache. Not to mention, since property management companies often have large networks, they will help you stay booked with tenants and increase your profits, essentially paying for their services.
Spain also has strict rules for rental properties that can trip up foreign owners.
| 💡 All rental properties require a tourism license, regardless of whether you plan to rent short-term or long-term. You must display this license on your listings and comply with certain regulations.¹ |
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A property management company in Spain can assist you with this.
Naturally, property management companies in Spain charge fees, usually somewhere between 10% and 15% of rental income for both short and long-term rentals.¹
Most of the time, this commission includes basic property maintenance, but things like emergency repairs are extra.
Top 5 largest property management companies in Spain
It's important to find a property management company in Spain that's the right fit for your needs.
It's often a good idea to get in touch with other homeowners in your neighborhood and ask them what property management companies they're using. Searching online is also helpful, but pay attention to ratings and reviews.
Here are a few options to get you started.
Savills
Savills is one of the largest international property services companies in the world, with a strong presence in Spain for over 30 years. The company operates with over 600 employees across Spain and has access to a global network of 40,000+ experts in more than 70 countries.²
They're a full-service real estate firm that handles everything from residential properties to large commercial developments. Property management services include:³
- Residential property management
- Commercial property management
- Hospitality management services for hotels and resorts
- Technical advisory and building consultancy
- Property valuation and market analysis
- Investment sales and acquisitions
- Facilities management with 24/7 support
- Sustainability and environmental compliance management
- Tourism license assistance and regulatory compliance
In other words, this property management company is a good fit for property owners who require a comprehensive service. They can be a particularly good option for investors with multiple properties who don't mind paying premium rates for international expertise.
GuestReady
GuestReady is an award-winning Airbnb management company that specializes in short-term rental properties across Spain. It's a great fit for property owners who have an apartment or a house that they want to turn into a vacation rental.
The company operates in major Spanish cities including Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Seville, Málaga, Granada, Bilbao, and many other popular tourist destinations.⁴
GuestReady's services include:⁴
- Complete Airbnb and short-term rental management
- Online listing
- Photography
- Pricing management
- Guest communication
- Cleaning and laundry
- Provision of toiletries
- Guest check-in
GuestReady uses a commission-based pricing model, meaning that they take a percentage of each booking instead of charging flat monthly fees. How much the commission is depends on your property and the market.⁴
Sometimes, GuestReady also offers fixed rent solutions, but this is determined on a case-by-case basis.⁴
Micasamo
Micasamo is a specialized property management company that focuses on the La Manga Club and San Javier areas in Murcia, Spain.⁵ These areas are popular with expats and have strong rental markets.
Property management in Spain services include:⁵
- A dedicated property manager for each owner
- Property inspections with photos and videos
- Short-term rental management
- Pricing advice and market analysis
- Legal compliance assistance
Micasamo has a very personalized approach to rental property management in Spain, so your specific package can include other services or add-ons.
You can choose from 3 different packages, Essential, Advanced, and Bespoke, to get the level of service that fits your needs and budget. For rental property management specifically, Micasamo works on a commission basis.⁵
Engel & Völkers
Engel & Völkers is a high-end real estate company that specializes in the luxury property market across the globe, including Spain. They also offer property management services, which can be a great fit for you if you own a high-value property.
Engel & Völkers charges a monthly fee of 4.5% of the rental income for its property management services. This fee covers basic management but doesn't include extras like repairs, additional contracts, taxes, legal services, or insurance policies.⁶
Property Management Barcelona
Property Management Barcelona focuses specifically on properties in Barcelona. This company can be a smart choice for property owners who want specialized local expertise, since property management can vary by region in Spain.
Services offered by Property Management Barcelona include:⁷
- Marketing your property
- Tenant screening
- Rent collection
- Maintenance
- Professional photos
- Property inspection
They can also assist with things like personal shopping and selling your property when it's time for you to move on. Having a company that knows Barcelona's specific rental market, regulations, and tenant preferences can be very valuable if you own property there.
Is paying a property management company worth it in Spain?
It depends on your specific situation and goals. It's usually worth it in the following scenarios:
- You live far from your Spanish property: Managing a property from the US is very difficult without local help
- You don't speak Spanish fluently: Dealing with tenants and legal requirements in Spanish can be challenging and risky if you make mistakes
- You want to earn more in rental income: Professional companies can often help you achieve higher rents and lower vacancy rates
- You own multiple properties: Trying to manage them on your own, especially from the US, will quickly get overwhelming
| Most importantly, paying for property management in Spain is worth it if you want passive income without having to deal with the day-to-day operations yourself. |
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Property management companies in Spain can save you a lot of time and stress.
However, it's important to find a company that matches your needs. For example, a large international firm like Savills might not be the best option for you if you own a small studio apartment and want to turn it into an Airbnb. In this case, a short-term rental specialist like GuestReady can be more helpful.
Even with a property management company, there's one cost that many people forget about. Moving money back and forth between the US and Spain often comes with high bank fees and unfavorable currency exchange rate markups.
When you're collecting rent or paying for property management services, these costs add up over time and can cost you hundreds or even thousands of USD.
| Send money internationally with Wise to 140+ countries and 40+ currencies – all at the fair mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees. |
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Sources
- Property Tax International - A complete guide to managing your Spanish rental property
- Savills - The experts in local and international property
- Savills - Property Management
- GuestReady - Airbnb Management in Spain
- Micasamo - All You Need to Know About Our Property Management Services in Spain
- Engel & Volkers - Property Management
- Property Management Barcelona - Property Management Barcelona
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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