Barcelona sells itself on Gaudí, beaches and late dinners, and its rents can make a student budget wince. The good news is that prices drop quickly once you look at well-connected neighbourhoods and nearby towns instead of the postcard centre.
This guide highlights the cheapest student housing in Barcelona, listing five properties providing student accommodation in Barcelona and the surroundings for less than €700. It is an ideal selection list of accommodation to study abroad in Barcelona for international students, and the same method applies to student accommodation in Spain. When deciding among affordable student apartments in Barcelona, use this guide as your first step. All properties have been listed on University Living’s verified Barcelona database, including current prices.
Quick answer: You can find cheapest student housing in Barcelona by comparing different types of student accommodations, such as shared rooms, private rooms, and studios, located in best student areas in Barcelona.
What Makes Student Housing in Barcelona Affordable?
Cheapest student housing in Barcelona is determined by several factors that fall under your choice. Location is the primary one: the accommodation in the most centrally located areas will always be pricier than the one just a couple of stops away from the center via subway. The second factor is the type of the room – if you opt for a shared double room or a single room with a shared bathroom, the price will be lower than that of the studio or en-suite.
University proximity and public transport will act in conjunction with each other, as a strategically located area will guarantee that you’ll be 20 minutes away from classes for a cheaper rate than if you were in the center. The inclusion or exclusion of the bills will affect your actual expenditure per month, while the booking season will influence the availability, since the cheapest rooms get taken first.
That logic is what unlocks the cheapest student housing in Barcelona: pick a connected area, choose a simpler room type and compare what’s included. If you’re hunting for cheap student flats Barcelona still has plenty of options outside the very centre.
Top 5 Cheapest Student Housing in Barcelona Under €700
Prices are monthly starting prices from University Living, and each applies to a specific room type and tenancy. The list runs from lowest to highest.
1. Xior Collblanc
Starting Price: €599/month
Location: Carrer Doctor Jaume Ferran i Clua, 20, Collblanc, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat
Room Types: Double for Single Use, Double to Share
Best For: Budget-focused students who want a social, amenity-rich residence
Xior Collblanc offers the most affordable starting price in this guide, and even then, your rent includes electricity, water, gas, internet, cleaning of your room on a fortnightly basis, as well as a laundry. Collblanc subway station which is accessible through L5, L9 Sud, and L10 Sud lines is not far away. Additionally, the University of Barcelona Campus Diagonal is located 2.1 km from the apartment, a 19 minutes ride by transport. You also have access to co-working areas, study rooms, outdoor gym, games room and bike storage, with 24-hour reception and CCTV. The property page lists a €225 booking prepayment and a €1,000 deposit.
2. Balmes 335
Starting Price: €639/month
Location: Carrer de Balmes, 335, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08006 Barcelona
Room Types: Economy, standard and superior singles; standard and superior doubles (en-suite options available)
Best For: IED Barcelona or Blanquerna students who prefer a calmer neighbourhood
Balmes 335 is a new co-living structure located in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi. It takes only 17 minutes to reach IED Barcelona by walking, 7 minutes to get to El Putxet metro station on foot, and just 3 minutes to get to Parc de Monterols from the building’s entrance. The price of living there covers electricity, gas, water, Wi-Fi, and even housekeeping services once a week. Security comes as secure door entry and 24/7 emergency assistance.
3. Muntaner 448
Starting Price: €655/month
Location: C/ de Muntaner, 448, Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, 08006 Barcelona
Room Types: Economy single, standard and superior singles (including XL and en-suite options), superior double
Best For: Students who want on-site laundry and a quiet, park-side base
This is located in a majestic building adjacent to Parc de Monterols. Economy single room comes complete with bed, desk and wardrobe, and common bathroom and kitchen. There are electricity, gas, water, and Wi-Fi, and there is also cleaning once a week and laundry facilities. Muntaner station by train takes 7 minutes, 10 minutes for El Putxet metro and 22 minutes walking to IED Barcelona. The University of Barcelona can be accessed within 10 minutes by car.
4. Sants Badal
Starting Price: €664/month
Location: Sants-Montjuïc, 08028 Barcelona
Room Types: Twin Standard and Twin Superior studios (dual occupancy)
Best For: Students who want a full amenity package and are happy sharing a studio
Sants Badal is advertised as a new accommodation for students with a lot of amenities for its cost: a gym, a swimming pool, a library, a quiet place for studying, a terrace and a room for games. Electricity, water and Wi-Fi are included in the rent, and there is a possibility to use a laundry room for additional payment. Mercat Nou metro can be reached in six minutes by walking, while Badal – in ten minutes. There is one more thing that is worth paying attention to: twin studios on the property page are only for men.
5. Terrassa Can Telar
Starting Price: €664/month
Location: Av. de Jaume I, 60, Terrassa, Barcelona province
Room Types: Studio (14-15 sqm) and shared twin studios
Best For: UPC Terrassa and ESCAC students who want a private studio and a full amenity package
Since Terrassa is another city, this will be ideal for students who study nearby and not those who travel to study. The University of Barcelona, for example, takes 45 minutes to reach by train. Having been constructed in September 2025, the residence provides studios that include a private bathroom and kitchenette. There is also access to a swimming pool, a gym, a film room, a game room and study rooms. Utilities such as electricity, gas, heating, water and Wi-Fi are provided in addition to bi-weekly cleaning.
How to Choose Affordable Student Housing in Barcelona
Here are just a few checks to distinguish between an actual deal and a place where you will pay more as soon as extras are added. Use them when looking for student apartments in Barcelona within your budget.
Set Your Monthly Budget
It is not enough to take rent into account while choosing student living in Barcelona offers. Consider food, transport, bills, entertainment and other expenses.
Compare Room Types
There are many types of rooms offered in Barcelona. Shared rooms are the most inexpensive option, en-suite rooms provide a private bathroom, non-en-suite rooms share the bathroom with other students, studios include a private kitchen and private apartments mean the whole place is yours.
Check What is Provided
Wi-Fi, utilities, laundry, studying space and cleaning should be considered. Slightly increased rent in case of including bills may be a better choice than cheaper rent plus other expenses.
Think About Transportation
Even if a cheaper apartment is located far from the university, it might be convenient if there is a metro or train station nearby. Real walking time should be checked.
Book Early
Affordable rooms have limited availability, particularly before the academic year begins. Booking cheapest student housing in Barcelona early gives you more choice.
Popular Areas for Cheapest Student Housing in Barcelona
Searching for student apartments in Barcelona? You will find that these areas feature in the guide below and are suitable for various types of student rentals in Barcelona.
Sarrià-Sant Gervasi. Peaceful and leafy location close to public transport facilities. Parc de Monterols and Jardins d’Enric Sagnier are within minutes of Balmes 335, El Putxet metro and Muntaner train stations, and IED Barcelona and Blanquerna can be reached on foot.
Sants-Montjuïc. Lively residential area around Sants Badal with Café de Sants five minutes’ walk away and FC Barcelona Museum a short drive away. The metro stations of Badal and Mercat Nou allow easy access to the rest of the city.
Collblanc. Useful and well-connected by public transport, with three metro lines at Collblanc metro station. Jardins de la Sénia is eight minutes away from Xior Collblanc, and UB Campus Diagonal and UPC are 3 km away.
Prices depend on the building and type of room, so compare prices and do not assume that an area is affordable.
Student Living in Barcelona: What Should Your Budget Include?
| Expense | Approximate Monthly Cost |
| Accommodation | €599-€664 (starting prices in this guide) |
| Food | €200-€350 |
| Public Transport | €22-€50 |
| Entertainment | €120-€250 |
| Other Essentials | €150-€310 |
Costs depend on lifestyle. The food, transport, entertainment, and necessities cost is taken from the Barcelona cost of living data provided by University Living, and “other necessities” include mobile and internet costs, study materials, and additional expenses. Since utilities costs are not included separately as all five apartments have the utility costs included in their rent, it adds up to around €1,090-€1,620.
How to Book Cheap Student Housing in Barcelona
Booking through University Living takes a few steps:
- Search for student residences in Barcelona.
- Compare properties and prices using the filters.
- Check room types and amenities.
- Review the location and transport connections.
- Select your preferred property.
- Contact University Living’s accommodation experts for assistance.
- Complete the booking and prepare for arrival.
Before you pay, check the current price, contract terms, availability and which bills are included. The same process works for student housing in Spain beyond Barcelona.
Why Book Student Accommodation Through University Living?
University Living verifies student properties, allows comparison of prices and room types in one place, and includes accommodation specialists that will advise you from making an enquiry till booking. It makes it easier for you to plan housing from overseas. Besides housing, ULInfinity provides additional services like health insurance, airport transfer service, international SIM cards, international money transfer, flights and guarantor services.
Final Thoughts
Barcelona offers student accommodation for various budgets and the cheapest student housing in Barcelona may cost significantly below €700 per month. In addition to price, location and utilities also play a significant role in renting property, so always make sure to do proper research before signing any rental contract. No matter whether you opt for a shared double room in Collblanc or a studio apartment in Terrassa, University Living can assist you in booking verified student housing in Barcelona.
Explore affordable properties on University Living and shortlist your favourites today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest student housing in Barcelona?
Of all the five properties discussed above, Xior Collblanc offers the cheapest accommodation in terms of cost per month, at €599 per month. Note that the price may vary depending on the room type, occupancy period, among others. You may verify this information on the University Living live listing page.
Are there student apartments in Barcelona below €700?
Yes, several of the University Living properties offer accommodations priced below €700 per month. These include Xior Collblanc (€599), Balmes 335 (€639), Muntaner 448 (€655) and Sants Badal (€664). The cost depends on the room type; make sure you have this information before you inquire.
How can students find cheapest student housing in Barcelona?
Start with University Living’s Barcelona listings and filter by price, room type and distance to your campus. In addition, you should be willing to search for properties other than the very central ones since the well-connected neighborhoods of Collblanc and Sants-Montjuïc feature on this list.
How much do student accommodations cost in Barcelona?
The average student rent is about €900-€1,400 according to the University Living’s page on Barcelona, making accommodations starting from €599-€664 look particularly good. Averages vary depending on location, room type and facilities, so take them as a reference point, not as a quote.
Are bills included in low-cost student rooms in Barcelona?
In all of the five accommodations listed here, rent covers water, electricity and internet connections, and in four out of the five also covers gas. However, there are differences in what bills are covered. For example, in Sants Badal extra payment is charged for using the laundry room.
