Buy an apartment in Spain furnished or unfurnished?

When we plan to buy an apartment in Spain, we dream of doing everything to our own taste so that it suits us perfectly and reflects our individuality. However, in most cases flats and houses in Spain are sold already furnished, and sometimes even with all the design elements left by the previous owner. You’re lucky if your tastes match theirs, but given the difference in mentality between our countries, the chances are not that high. At Granfield Estate, we see this dilemma with almost every client — and after years of helping buyers on the Costa Blanca, we’ve developed a practical approach to the furniture question. Even expensive solid-wood furniture in the classic “Spanish style” often looks dated – to put it bluntly, like something from grandma’s house. Living in an interior that makes you feel uncomfortable is unpleasant, which means you’ll eventually want to change the furniture.

How Much Does It Cost to Furnish an Apartment in Spain?

Toni Expósito, CEO of Comprarcasa, believes that the cost depends on many factors – and we completely agree. Things like the size of the home, the quality level of the furniture, whether you hire a furnishing specialist (someone like Toni) or an interior designer, the family structure and how many children you have all matter. In very general terms, Toni says that furnishing a 70 m² flat will cost around 15,000 euros. For a house of more than 100 m², you would be looking at about 20,000 euros. These are very approximate estimates, Toni admits. We think he simply forgot that Ikea exists in Spain.

A significant part of the budget usually goes on updating the kitchen – around 5,000 euros. Unfortunately, it is the kitchen that most often needs renovation and new appliances. If you manage to buy an apartment in Spain with a kitchen that already suits you, your overall costs will be much lower. The same applies to bathrooms. Replacing the bathroom furniture itself is relatively inexpensive, roughly 500 euros, but if a full renovation is needed, be prepared to spend at least another 4,000 euros (including labour). According to Toni, you should allow about 2,000 euros to furnish each bedroom. We think that if you calculate “at the low end of the market”, you can manage with about 1,000 euros per bedroom plus the cost of mattresses (and here the range is enormous: some people are quite happy with an inflatable pool mattress for 6 euros, while others can only sleep on the most expensive mattress in the world, like the Vividus for 69,500 dollars).

Furnished or Unfurnished: Which Is the Better Choice?

If you expect additional expenses after buying property in Spain – for example, mortgage payments, taxes or high running costs – it is usually better to buy a place that is already furnished. However, keep in mind that if you absolutely hate the previous owner’s style, living in such a home may bring you much less joy than you imagined.

Pros and Cons of Buying a Furnished Apartment

Advantages of buying an apartment in Spain with furniture

1. No extra costs for furnishing the apartment
2. You can move in and start living there on the day of completion
3. Savings on moving costs (transport, movers)
4. You don’t spend time and energy organising a big move
5. You can sell the old furniture (even if not for much)

Disadvantages of buying an apartment in Spain with furniture

1. The furniture might not be to your taste
2. If you already own furniture from your previous home, you will have to find somewhere to put it

From our experience at Granfield Estate — a licensed agency (RAICV1663) and member of Asivega on the Costa Blanca — over time people end up replacing most of the furniture anyway. But since property in Spain is often bought as a holiday home or for rental, it is usually easier and cheaper to buy a furnished apartment and then change the furniture gradually.

Buying a new-build property in Spain is, in this respect, the ideal option. New developments are sold with fully fitted kitchens and bathrooms. This covers the most complicated, time-consuming and expensive part of moving in. All that is left is to furnish the living room and bedrooms, which is much easier – and more enjoyable.

Whether you’re looking for a furnished apartment ready to move in or an empty canvas to make your own, Granfield Estate can help.

Granfield Estate
Av. Bélgica 1, C.C. Parquemar, La Mata, 03188 Torrevieja (Alicante)
Tel: +34 865 44 33 33
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Frequently Asked Questions

Are most apartments in Spain sold furnished or unfurnished?

In most cases — furnished. It is common in the secondary market in Spain to sell properties fully equipped: with furniture, appliances, and often all household items. This is convenient for those who want to move in immediately or rent it out, but it requires a compromise on interior style.

Can you negotiate with the seller to remove the furniture before the sale?

Yes, this is permissible and often practiced, especially if the buyer wants to furnish the apartment themselves. The terms of the property transfer (with or without furniture, which appliances remain) are specified in the deposit agreement. Our agent will help you articulate your wishes during negotiations with the seller.

How much does it cost to furnish a 70 m² apartment in Spain?

According to estimates from Spanish specialists — from €10,000 to €20,000, depending on the quality of the furniture and the need to replace the kitchen. Updating the kitchen costs between €4,000 and €6,000, each bedroom — from €1,000 to €2,000, and the bathroom — from €500 to €5,000. If you focus on budget options (Ikea, local stores), the amount is significantly reduced.

Does the presence of furniture affect the price of the apartment when buying?

Directly — no: Spanish legislation requires that the purchase agreement specifies the price of the property itself without furniture and movable property. In practice, sellers often informally include the value of the furniture in the total price. It is important to clearly specify in the contract what exactly remains in the apartment — this will help avoid misunderstandings when handing over the keys.