How much does apartment renovation cost in Spain?
Renovating an apartment in Spain is a topic that keeps coming up like a boomerang among people buying properties on the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, or in big cities like Madrid and Barcelona. A well-planned apartment renovation in Spain can completely change your quality of life or increase the rental value of the property. However, before you start choosing tiles and kitchen designs, it is worth knowing how much it costs to renovate an apartment in Spain and what these amounts depend on – as well as when a renovation permit is required in Spain.
Below you will find a practical guide on costs, factors affecting the price, labor rates, and how much a turnkey apartment renovation in Spain costs.
What will you find in the article?
Apartment renovation in Spain: what are the average costs?
When estimating how much it costs to renovate an apartment in Spain, price ranges per square meter are most often given. This allows comparison of different standards and scopes of work.
Example indicative values (gross, with VAT), often used for preliminary calculations:
– Light renovation / refresh (painting, minor repairs, renewing bathroom or kitchen without changing installations): from approx. €250 – 400/m². This is a good option if the apartment is in decent condition and you just want to “refresh” it for rental or quick sale.
– Standard apartment renovation in Spain (new flooring, refreshing walls, kitchen and bathroom modernization, partial replacement of installations): approx. €500 – 800/m². For a 70 m² apartment, this gives a range of €35,000 – €56,000.
– Major renovation of an apartment in Spain (replacement of electrical and plumbing installations, new bathrooms, kitchen, carpentry, windows, often changing wall layouts): from approx. €900 – 1,500/m² and more. For a 70 m² apartment, you can realistically speak of €63,000 – 100,000+, especially in the best locations and with higher finishing standards.
These amounts are a reference point for discussions with an architect or a team. If someone promises a “major” apartment renovation in Spain for €200 – 300/m², you should very carefully check the scope of work and quality of materials.
What determines the cost of renovating an apartment in Spain?
How much it costs to renovate an apartment in Spain depends not only on the size. Several key factors influence the final valuation:
Property location
- In regions such as Costa del Sol, Madrid, Barcelona, Balearic Islands, rates for apartment renovations in Spain are higher than in small towns.
- In popular tourist resorts, both labor and material costs are higher.
Technical condition of the building and apartment
Old buildings (e.g., from the 60s–80s) often require:
- replacement of electrical installations,
- modernization of plumbing installations,
- inspection of structure, ceilings, possible reinforcements.
All this raises the cost of renovating an apartment in Spain, especially when unforeseen works appear after uncovering walls or floors.
Scope of work and finishing standard
- The wider the scope (changing wall layouts, moving installations, ducted air conditioning), the higher the price.
- Standard materials from the so-called high-end range (natural stone, branded fittings, smart home systems) can increase renovation costs by even several dozen percent.
Design and supervision
In Spain, a technical architect / engineer (aparejador) is very often involved who:
- prepares the design,
- ensures compliance of work with building law,
- helps to obtain a renovation permit in Spain, if required.
The cost of design and supervision is usually several to a dozen percent of the investment value, but in return you gain control and safety.
Renovation permit in Spain
Even if you are not touching load-bearing walls, a renovation permit in Spain (licencia de obra menor / mayor) is often required, issued by the appropriate Ayuntamiento (city council).
Depending on the municipality, fees and required documents vary, but you need to consider:
- cost of the municipal fee (usually a percentage of the declared renovation cost),
- waiting time that can delay the start of work.
What are the costs of hiring a renovation team or specialist in Spain?
When planning an apartment renovation in Spain, you also need to know approximate labor rates. Final amounts depend on the region and the company’s reputation, but for example:
General construction teams (a company coordinating all the work) usually work on a “fixed price” model (presupuesto cerrado), which includes labor, some materials, plus a markup for coordination and warranty.
Specialist tradespeople (electrician, plumber, carpenter, tiler): hourly rates often range from €25 – 50/h in popular regions. For small jobs (e.g., door replacement, minor repairs), minimum charges for travel and the first hour may apply.
Interior designers / architects who help optimize space and budget and supervise quality may charge:
- a flat fee for design,
- a percentage of the total apartment renovation cost in Spain,
- or a combination of both models.
Choosing a cheaper, unverified team risks corrections, delays, and warranty problems. That is why in Spain, contracts, precise cost estimates, and clear payment stages are extremely important.
What are the costs of a turnkey apartment renovation in Spain?
For many foreigners, the most convenient option is a turnkey apartment renovation in Spain: they order everything from one company, from the design to the last cushion on the sofa. Of course, the question arises: how much does a turnkey apartment renovation in Spain cost?
What usually does a “turnkey” renovation include?
- functional and visual design,
- obtaining a renovation permit in Spain, if required,
- complete dismantling of old finishes,
- new installations, floors, walls, ceilings,
- bathrooms and kitchen including cabinetry and appliances,
- often also fixed furniture and equipment elements.
Indicative price ranges
It is assumed that a turnkey apartment renovation in Spain usually costs about €1,000 – 1,800/m² and more, depending on the standard, location, and level of personalization.
For a 70 m² apartment, €70,000 – 126,000+ is a realistic range for a full transformation, including coordination, supervision, and furnishings.
A turnkey renovation is more expensive, but you save time and nerves, have a single point of contact coordinating everything, making it easier to plan budget and deadlines. A well-prepared company will also include the renovation permit in Spain and community formalities in the valuation.
Summary
If you are planning an apartment renovation in Spain and want to calculate how much it costs for your specific case (city, area, scope of work), it is best to start with:
- a brief overview of the scope,
- photos and floor plans of the apartment,
- checking which renovation permit will be required in your municipality.
Based on this, a realistic cost estimate can be prepared, avoiding unpleasant surprises during the work.
If you are interested in properties in Spain for renovation, read our article on the subject and contact us.
