A Cuban woman living in Spain has issued a warning on TikTok, highlighting the harsh realities of the Spanish rental market. Despite having saved 30,000 euros, she claims it doesn't guarantee finding an apartment, describing the housing search as "a true nightmare" for newcomers.
Karla González, who shares her migration journey through her "immigrant mom diary," has identified Spain's rental market as one of the toughest challenges she has faced since moving to the country.
"As a Cuban residing in Spain, the housing issue has undoubtedly been the most significant challenge," she stated in her video, which quickly garnered over 1,500 views in less than a day.
The Struggle for Housing
According to Karla, landlords are imposing increasingly stringent requirements, including rent insurance, permanent employment contracts, bans on children and pets, and sometimes only renting to military personnel or government officials.
Adding to the difficulty is the cost. Karla noted that a two-bedroom apartment can cost around 900 euros per month, with a security deposit—equivalent to three months' rent—that "you rarely see again."
Discrimination in the Rental Market
The most painful experience, she says, is the discrimination based on her accent. "When they hear the Cuban accent, some won't even call you back. They don't hang up the phone, thanks to divine intervention," she lamented.
This testimony aligns with a March 2025 report stating that 99% of real estate agencies in Madrid and Barcelona accept discriminatory clauses at landlords' requests. People with foreign accents are told "the apartment is unavailable" 47% of the time, compared to 31% for Spaniards. In Barcelona, the gap rises to 57%.
The Broader Context
Karla also discussed the broader implications of the rental system: "This situation leads to three outcomes: desperation may drive people to occupy illegally, landlords being overly selective might end up renting to unsuitable tenants, and some may assume that living in Spain makes one naive."
The rental market context exacerbates the situation. The average rent in Spain reached a historic high of 15.1 euros per square meter in May 2026, a 4% year-over-year increase. In Madrid, prices hit 23.4 euros per square meter, equating to approximately 1,638 euros monthly for a 70-square-meter apartment. From 2020 to 2025, prices increased by 34% nationwide.
Challenges for Cuban Immigrants
Cubans face unique challenges: many arrive without pre-existing job contracts, lack a Spanish credit history, and have no network to act as guarantors. Other Cuban women in Spain have shared similar stories about the real estate market's hurdles. A Cuban influencer revealed in November 2025 that landlords demand pay stubs from the last three months and an advance deposit.
Karla also recalled a Cuban couple in Spain who reported legal abuses related to renting, highlighting that the issues extend beyond just finding a place to live.
Her final message was one of caution, not discouragement: "My message isn't to deter you from coming to Spain. It's to come informed, come prepared, and with realistic expectations. Because emigrating isn't just about packing a suitcase and buying a plane ticket."
She further advised having a family member or friend provide temporary accommodation upon arrival, as the housing market, in her words, "is a true nightmare."
Key Challenges in Spain's Housing Market
What are the main barriers for immigrants seeking housing in Spain?
Immigrants face numerous obstacles, including strict landlord requirements such as rent insurance, permanent employment contracts, and discrimination based on accents, which makes securing housing a significant challenge.
How does discrimination affect the housing search for foreigners in Spain?
Discrimination based on accents is prevalent, with foreign accents often resulting in potential tenants being told that apartments are unavailable, exacerbating the difficulty of finding housing.
What financial requirements do landlords in Spain typically demand?
Landlords often demand financial security such as rent insurance, evidence of permanent employment, and sizable security deposits, which can be challenging for new immigrants to provide.