Madrid is the capital of Spain, a city that never sleeps and a top destination for Spanish and international students. The big draws, besides its universities, are the cosmopolitan vibe, lush green parklands, the range of bars, cafés and restaurants, world-class museums, markets and department stores. And that's just for starters. Many students also say the locals are so welcoming that the city quickly feels like home.
Accommodation and living costs for international students in Madrid
If you're thinking about living and studying in Spain, you need to know how much it costs to live comfortably. While the cost of living in Madrid will depend on your lifestyle and habits, the average international student can expect to spend more than 1,000 euros on housing, food, and other bills each month.
Accommodation in Madrid will likely be your most significant monthly expenditure. Rental prices in Madrid vary greatly depending on neighborhood, size and amenities. The average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is 1,370 euros per month, while the same sort of property outside the center is around 966 euros per month. To save on costs, most students live in shared flats or student housing. A private room in a furnished apartment begins at around 400 euros per month.
Other accommodation options in Madrid include studio apartments, renting a room in a student residence and living with a Spanish family during your time in Madrid. The most common way to search for student housing in Madrid is through a specialized agency such as Alumni or through your university.
Utilities like electricity, water, and internet service may or may not be included in the cost of the rent. Make sure you take this into account when budgeting accommodation costs. Expect to pay around 160 euros per month for basic utilities for an 85 m² apartment, not including internet or cell phone plans.
Food is another area where costs can vary, depending on eating habits. On average, figure 250 euros to 400 euros per month for groceries and around 15 euros for a meal in an inexpensive restaurant. Using a cost of living index updated by locals will give you an idea of how much you'll spend on basic groceries and meals out.
To stay in touch with friends and family back home and your new friends in Madrid, you'll need to keep your phone connected. You may decide to buy a new phone once you're in Spain or a sim card for your existing mobile. Monthly plans typically start from around 15€ per month.
Good to know:
If you're a university student with a student account, you can use your student email and password to connect to the Wi-Fi network Eduroam. This university Wi-Fi network in nearly all European universities provides easy, secure connectivity from thousands of hotspots in more than 100 countries.
Student discounts in Madrid
There are many discounts available to students and young people living in Madrid. Two of the most useful are Madrid's youth card and the abono joven transport pass. The carné joven (youth card) is a free card for residents between 14 and 30 years old who reside in the Community of Madrid. With it, you can benefit from discounts in more than 50,000 entities covering transport, cultural activities, youth hostels, leisure centers, theaters, and more.
Madrid's public transport offers the abono joven, a steeply discounted travel pass that costs a flat rate of 20 euros per month and is valid on all metro and bus lines across all zones. As of January 2025, the card is available at an even lower price of eight euros per month thanks to additional discounts.
Leisure activities in Madrid
When you're not attending lectures or studying, you'll discover that Madrid is packed to the rafters with things to do in your free time. And as a student, you can benefit from a variety of discounts. If you're a culture vulture, use your youth card to take advantage of free entry to the city's museums or sign up for the JOBO card for free access to theater performances from Monday to Friday. It is available for young people between 16 and 26 years of age.
For nightlife, you'll be spoiled for choice with an extensive range of pubs, clubs, nightclubs and live music venues. The university neighborhood of Moncloa has lots of cheap bars for students and is where many hang out in their downtime.
Good to know:
Students who want to spend some of their free time giving back to their new communities can take advantage of many volunteer opportunities. Organizations like Cáritas help link students with volunteer projects that need a helping hand.
Useful links:
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