Student halls of residence in Barcelona

If you’re looking for accommodation and are considering a student residence in Barcelona, you will find this article useful. Here are the most important details to take into account about the residences, such as their advantages and disadvantages, characteristics of private and university residences, how to rent an affordable residence and some answers to frequently asked questions.

The Catalan capital welcomes numerous national and international young people every year, which translates into a great availability of accommodation and residences in the city. However, this is also reflected in the high demand from students, so we recommend that you start your search as soon as possible.

Pros and cons of living in a residence in Barcelona

Some main pros and cons of this type of accommodation in Barcelona:

Pros of living in student dorms in Barcelona

Certain university campuses are on the outskirts of the city, and some residences are located nearby, so getting to class will be easy.
Normally you will have access to common areas to share with other students who live there, which may include a gym, study rooms, terrace, and leisure rooms with television and games. In residences outside the city, the spaces are usually larger and may even have courts for different sports and an outdoor pool.
Finding a room in Barcelona can be quite a difficult task due to the high demand there is, and renting in a residence is often a simpler process.
In some residences, they organise activities and events to foster a sense of community, which can be games, movie nights or themed meals.
Some only accept male or female students, which is a plus if that's what you prefer.
If you prefer not to cook and focus on your studies, there are some residences that include meal service. It can be half board (breakfast and dinner) and full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
It’s an ideal way to meet other students when you arrive at the University and city. You will surely make friends from Catalonia and from different parts of the world!

Cons of living in student residences in Barcelona

The spaces are usually quite small, although this normally happens in the apartments of this city.
Some don’t have air conditioning for the summer, and the temperatures in Barcelona are very high! You must also consider the humidity in the environment...
Some studio flats do not include kitchenware or sheets and bedding, so you have to take them yourself or buy them when you arrive.
Many of the apartments include amenities that differentiate them, and this is reflected on the high rental prices.
There are frequently established rules regarding schedules, possibility of receiving guests, use of common areas, etc. That is, they usually provide less independence than private apartments. This is even more accentuated when it comes to colegios mayores (residence halls).

Private student residences in Barcelona

There are a lot of private student residences in Barcelona! Many of them are in central locations, with good access to institutions that are based in those areas, while others are on the outskirts of the city and even in other urbanisations, where some Universities also have campuses.

These residences welcome young people who are going to be studying in different institutions, which allows you to easily expand your circle of friends. That is, you’re not only going to interact with people who study at your University.

This type of accommodation has several options: single rooms, shared rooms, complete studio apartments for yourself or shared between two people. Additionally, some rooms feature a kitchenette with a mini refrigerator, a dishwashing area, and a microwave, all in a compact space. In these rooms, there is generally the option of having a ceramic hob to cook (there is usually no oven), but you have to choose between having one or hiring the half board service (breakfast and dinner) or full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner).

Another fact to take into account is that in some cases bed linen and towels are not included. Sometimes you can buy them there for an extra price, or you can also take them from home or buy them when you arrive in Barcelona. In addition, you can hire extra services in the rooms, such as cleaning or changing sheets every one or two weeks.

In residences, there are usually spaces that have amenities such as sofas, television, ping pong or billiard tables. They can also have a gym and a terrace where to get some air and enjoy the views.

University student halls of residence in Barcelona

When we talk about university residences, we are referring to those that belong to each of the educational institutions in the city. In this type of accommodation, typically you can choose between single rooms, shared rooms, small studio apartments, with a kitchen and bathroom for you, and complete apartments shared between several students.

The truth is that, in Barcelona, normally university residence facilities are older than private residences. This can be seen reflected both in the structure of the building and in the furniture, as well as in the common spaces they have.

Many of these university residences are located close to the institution to which they belong, which may mean that they are on the outskirts of Barcelona and that, to reach the cultural and leisure places most frequented by students, you must travel a long time on public transport.

It’s important to highlight that in university residences and colegios mayores the practice of hazing (“novatadas") has been prohibited. In case you are not familiar with the term, it refers to certain rituals or behaviours directed towards new students to humiliate them before they are fully accepted into the group. Due to various instances of abuse, these practices have been legally prohibited, although in some places they still persist.

Some characteristics of this type of accommodation in institutions in Barcelona are:

University Residences of the University of Barcelona

This prestigious institution has colegios mayores and its university residence where you can apply for a place. You have to pay close attention to where you’re going to study to see if the location suits you, since the UB has 9 different locations.

If you want to know about accommodation near the University of Barcelona, read this article.

University Residence Halls Autonomous of Barcelona

The UAB residences are located in the Vila Universitaria area, on the Bellaterra campus, which is about 40 minutes by train away from Barcelona. This places you close to your studies, but far from the leisure and cultural sites that the city offers.

If you want to know about accommodation near the Autonomous University of Barcelona, read this article.

University Residences Polytechnic of Catalonia

Classes at this institution are taught in up to nine different centres and locations. The UPC offers the option of renting accommodation near them through agreements with several student residences and in some of its own, such as Vilanova i la Geltrú.

If you want to know about accommodation near the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, read this article.

University Residence Halls Pompeu Fabra

UPF does not have its own accommodation buildings, but it also has agreements with residences that give priority to students of this institution and that are close to the campuses.

If you want to know about accommodation near Pompeu Fabra University, read this article.

Rent cheap student residences in Barcelona

The price of residences in Barcelona varies considerably depending on the location, the amenities offered, and when you search. With our Erasmus Play platform, you can easily and quickly explore the available and verified student residence options for the time you plan to be in Barcelona, allowing you to compare their characteristics in a simple way. You can make the reservation 100% online and securely, so you can focus on more important things about your stay in Barcelona: finding where to eat the best patatas bravas!

Frequently Asked Questions about student dorms in Barcelona

What are the requirements to apply for a place in a student residence in Barcelona?
The main requirement is to be enrolled in a university based in the city. You also have to present a valid ID or passport and, in some cases, the details of an account in a Spanish bank to issue rental receipts.
What’s the difference between student residences and colegios mayores?
The main distinction is that the colegios mayores are linked to Universities, while the residences can be part of Universities or have a private nature. Additionally, it’s important to note that colegios mayores tend to impose stricter rules compared to residences, especially when it comes to schedules and the presence of guests.
How much does a student residence cost in Barcelona?
The cost of a shared room in a residence usually ranges from €600 onwards, while individual rooms are usually between €750 - €850 per month on average.
When to apply for a student residence in Barcelona?
We recommend that you do it as soon as possible, as demand is often very high. Furthermore, if you’re going to apply for a university residence, you have to pay close attention to the deadlines determined by your institution.
Are there female or male university residences in Barcelona?
Yeah! Although they are not the most frequent if for any reason you want to live with people of the same sex, in the Catalan capital you’ll find a variety of options.