Apartments and rooms near Complutense University

Tracing its origins to 1499 in Alcalá de Henares and established in Madrid in 1836, the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) is one of the oldest and largest universities in Spain and in Europe, with more than 70,000 students across a vast range of disciplines. Its main campus forms the core of the Ciudad Universitaria, a dedicated university district in the Moncloa area in the north-west of the city, shared with several other institutions and surrounded by parkland. As one of Spain's flagship public universities, the UCM anchors a huge and international student community.

According to the Spotahome Rent Index 2026, these are the available accommodation in Madrid options and their average price by property type.

Best neighbourhoods near the Complutense University of Madrid

These are the four areas closest to the Ciudad Universitaria campus, chosen for their proximity to the UCM and the amount of accommodation available nearby:

• Ciudad Universitaria: the campus's own district, green and academic, with faculties, halls of residence and parkland, plus the largest pool of student residences of the four. Apartments in Ciudad Universitaria average around 1,650 €, while shared rooms sit close to 705 €.
• Argüelles: a busy, student-filled neighbourhood just east of campus, between the Parque del Oeste and Gran Vía, with a big rental pool. Apartments in Argüelles average about 2,529 €, with rooms near 730 €.
• Gaztambide: a calm, residential Chamberí neighbourhood hugely popular with students, a short walk from campus. Apartments in Gaztambide average around 1,725 €, the most affordable of the four, with rooms near 741 €.
• Vallehermoso: a lively, well-connected Chamberí district to the east, full of shared flats and local life. Apartments here average about 2,300 €, with rooms near 683 €.

Across these four neighbourhoods there are more than 950 properties available near the Complutense University, and every Spotahome listing is fully furnished and ready to move into the day you arrive.

What you should know about the Complutense University of Madrid

The UCM is a comprehensive public university teaching the full range of disciplines, from medicine, law and economics to humanities, sciences and fine arts, with a growing offer of master's programmes in English and one of the largest student bodies in Europe. Its faculties spread across the Ciudad Universitaria, a purpose-built campus district shared with other universities and woven through with parks and tree-lined avenues. The area sits right beside Moncloa and Argüelles, so the city centre, the Parque del Oeste and the Casa de Campo are all close by. For faculties, dates and admissions, the official UCM website is the best reference.

Erasmus Life at the Complutense University of Madrid and in Madrid

The UCM is one of Europe's most popular Erasmus destinations, with hundreds of partner universities and a huge incoming exchange community each year, all coordinated through its international mobility office. Living in Madrid as an Erasmus student means a warm, sociable capital with a vast cultural calendar, cheap and efficient public transport and a young population spread across many universities. Student associations and the city's ESN network run constant trips, language exchanges and socials, which makes settling in quick and easy.

How to get to the Complutense University of Madrid from Madrid city centre

The Ciudad Universitaria campus is quick to reach from the centre:

• Metro line 6: Ciudad Universitaria station sits in the middle of the campus.
• Metro lines 3 and 6: Moncloa, a major transport hub, is a short walk or one stop away.
• Bus: numerous university lines run from Moncloa into the campus and around the faculties.

Common questions (FAQ) about renting near the Complutense University of Madrid

Which are the best neighbourhoods for students near the Complutense University of Madrid in Madrid?

The top student areas combine a genuine young scene with a short walk or metro ride to the Ciudad Universitaria campus.

• Argüelles: central, student-filled and lively, with bars, shops and shared flats, and rooms in Argüelles around 730 €, a few minutes from campus.
• Ciudad Universitaria: right on campus, ideal if you want to walk to class and live among students, with rooms in Ciudad Universitaria near 705 €.
• Gaztambide: a calm, affordable Chamberí neighbourhood hugely popular with students, with rooms in Gaztambide around 741 € and a short walk to campus.

For nightlife and a big student crowd, Argüelles leads; for the shortest commute, Ciudad Universitaria and Gaztambide are unbeatable.

How much does student accommodation near the Complutense University of Madrid cost?

The Spotahome Rent Index 2026 gives clear price ranges for the neighbourhoods around the campus.

A room in a shared flat is by far the most popular choice near the UCM, with the largest number of listings and the friendliest prices for a student budget. If you would rather have your own space, a studio in Ciudad Universitaria is a self-contained option right by campus, with an average price around 1,198 € and bills included in a good share of listings, so check what each monthly figure covers.

When should I start looking for accommodation near the Complutense University of Madrid?

Start as early as you can, because the UCM is huge and demand around campus is high.

• The UCM's main academic year begins in September, so the best listings go over the summer.
• Booking two to three months ahead gives you the widest choice in Argüelles, Gaztambide and the campus area.
• Reserving online before you arrive lets you sign from home and move straight into a furnished flat.

A search in late spring or early summer is the calmest way to secure a good room.

How does Spotahome verify properties and what happens if the apartment doesn't match the listing?

Every home goes through a listing verification process before it goes live, so the photos and details match the real property.

• If the flat doesn't match the listing when you arrive, report it within the first 24 hours.
• The Spotahome team then helps resolve it, by mediating with the landlord or arranging alternative accommodation.

It is a practical safety net when you are booking a home from abroad.

How much deposit do I have to pay? And when is it returned?

The deposit is set by each landlord, usually one or two months' rent.

• On listings tagged "Deposit protected", if the landlord fails to return it within three months of move-out and you met the contract terms, Spotahome refunds it to you directly.
• Many properties also come with no deposit at all, and you can filter for these in the search.

Check the listing before booking to see which option applies.

Do I need a guarantor to rent on Spotahome?

No, you do not need a local guarantor or a Spanish payslip to book.

• To reserve, you usually only need your ID or passport, your acceptance letter or student or worker credentials, and a payment method.
• Once the landlord accepts your booking, they may request proof of solvency and a bank direct debit to finalise the contract.

Having these ready in advance keeps the last step quick and smooth.

What is included in the monthly rent? What is not?

Your monthly rent always includes the rent, the property tax and the building service charges. Utilities like electricity, gas, water and Wi-Fi are included in a good share of the listings, but not all landlords add them: in some flats you'll see a fixed monthly amount on top. Personal items and food are never included. Optional services such as a parking spot or weekly cleaning are usually billed separately. Take a careful look at each listing's description to see exactly what each property covers.

Why is Spotahome the best option for Erasmus and other students at the Complutense University of Madrid?

Spotahome is the ideal platform for Complutense University students because it offers:

• A wide choice near the UCM: more than 950 homes in areas like Argüelles, Gaztambide and Ciudad Universitaria, many less than 15 minutes from campus.
• Affordable options: around 700 rooms in shared flats, with an average price near 710 €/month and bills included in many cases.
• 100% online booking: you can rent from any country or city before you even arrive in Madrid.
• Flexible contracts: stays of 3 to 11 months, ideal for Erasmus, with room for shorter or longer periods too.
• Lower cost: commissions are lower than those of traditional estate agencies.

Spotahome has been helping students find accommodation since 2014, and more than 200,000 have already booked with us.