There are two types of rentals in Spain: short term and long term. Short term rentals are basically designed for holiday makers and come with contracts headed by the phrase "Por Temporada", which translates literally as "seasonal". Long term rentals contracts are headed by the word "Vivienda", which means "home" or "residence" and are designed for those planning to stay long term in this country.

Many people come to Andalucia, especially to the Costa del Sol, to make it their home. If you're thinking of moving to this part of Spain, you will need somewhere to stay while you look for your new apartment or house. In this situation, you'll be looking for a long-term rental.

These are handled in much the same way as traditional apartments. Very often you will find that villas are located in "urbanisations", or property developments located in quiet areas at the outskirts of a city. An urbanisation might also be located a few kilometres from the nearest town or city, and for this reason it is good to enquire as to whether or not you will need to hire a car.

For a more conventional option, both specialised property rental agencies and private individuals offer apartments for long-term rentals. Often the private individual will appoint an agency to manage their beachside, rural or golf property; the agency may offer the renting party further services in addition, such as car hire.

If you want self-catering accommodation which offers all the advantages of a hotel, an apart-hotel is a very convenient option. This has centralised check in and invaluable, time and hassle-saving services such as housekeeping and laundry, ideal for a long-term rental. Services offered may even include childcare, making reservations and organising your golfing needs such as green fees and booking rounds.