Are properties in Spain usually sold furnished?

Yes, the majority of resale properties on the Costa Blanca are sold fully furnished. This is especially common for apartments and bungalows in urbanisations that have been used as holiday homes. New builds are typically sold unfurnished but include kitchen appliances (hob, oven, extractor) and built-in wardrobes.

How much does it cost to furnish a 2-bedroom apartment in Spain?

Budget €5,500–€8,000 for basic furnishing (IKEA-level) or €10,000–€15,000 for mid-range quality. This covers living room furniture, beds and mattresses, kitchen equipment, bathroom accessories, outdoor furniture, curtains and lighting. Delivery and assembly add €300–€500 on top. IKEA Murcia, Leroy Merlin and local furniture stores are the main options on the Costa Blanca.

Do I need an inventory when buying a furnished property in Spain?

Absolutely. A detailed inventory (inventario) should be annexed to the purchase contract, listing every item included in the sale with descriptions and ideally photographs. Without a formal inventory, you have no legal recourse if the seller removes items between signing and completion. Your lawyer should ensure this is included in the contract.

Is a furnished or unfurnished property better for rental income?

For holiday rentals, furnished is essential — guests expect a fully equipped property. For long-term rentals targeting international tenants (the dominant rental market on the Costa Blanca), furnished is strongly preferred. Only if you target Spanish tenants on standard annual contracts might unfurnished be acceptable. Quality of furnishings directly impacts rental rates and occupancy.

Can I negotiate to exclude furniture from the purchase?

Yes, this is negotiable. If you prefer to furnish yourself, you can ask the seller to remove all movable items before completion, which may result in a lower purchase price (5–10% less). However, this is unusual on the Costa Blanca and may complicate the sale. Most buyers prefer to accept the furniture and replace items selectively over time.

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Furnished vs Unfurnished Property in Spain: Buyer's Guide

By Nea Randelin•Updated April 2026•9 min read• Fact-checked April 2026

Nea Randelin

Exclusives & Listings Responsible· OceanHome, Torrevieja

Runs the property book — works directly with vendors, coordinates photography, and makes sure every listing is accurately described and priced.

About Nea→| Fact-checked April 2026

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Key Takeaways

✓ Most resale properties on the Costa Blanca are sold furnished or part-furnished — this is the market norm.
✓ Furnished properties typically command a 5–10% premium over equivalent unfurnished ones, but buying the same furniture separately could cost €8,000–15,000.
✓ Always request a detailed inventory (inventario) listing every item included — this should be annexed to the purchase contract.
✓ For holiday rental investment, buying furnished saves time and money — the property is ready to rent from day one.
✓ New builds are usually sold unfurnished but with kitchen appliances (hob, oven, extractor) included.

The Spanish Market Norm

If you are buying property in northern Europe, you almost certainly expect to receive an empty shell and furnish it yourself. In Spain — particularly on the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol — the market works differently. The majority of resale properties are sold fully furnished, including sofas, beds, wardrobes, dining tables, kitchen equipment, curtains, lamps and sometimes even towels and bedding. This is especially true for apartments and bungalows in residential urbanisations, which are often used as holiday homes.

This convention exists because a large proportion of sellers are non-resident owners who purchased the property as a holiday home. When they sell, they have no practical way to ship furniture back to their home country, so it is included in the sale. For buyers, this is generally an advantage — you get a move-in-ready property without the expense and hassle of furnishing from scratch in a foreign country.

However, “furnished” does not always mean “well-furnished”. The quality of furniture varies enormously. Some properties come with tasteful, modern furnishings worth €10,000+. Others come with tired, 20-year-old furniture that you will want to replace immediately. This is why viewing the property carefully and agreeing on the inventory before signing the contract is essential.

Cost Comparison: Furnished vs Unfurnished

Furnished properties are typically priced 5–10% higher than equivalent unfurnished properties in the same area. For a €150,000 apartment, that is an effective furniture premium of €7,500–€15,000. Is it worth it?

Furnishing a 2-bedroom apartment from scratch in Spain costs approximately:

Item	Budget	Mid-Range
Living room (sofa, TV unit, coffee table)	€1,500	€3,500
Kitchen (appliances, utensils, tableware)	€800	€2,000
Bedrooms (beds, mattresses, wardrobes if not built-in)	€2,000	€4,500
Bathrooms (towels, mirrors, storage)	€300	€800
Terrace/outdoor furniture	€500	€1,500
Curtains, lamps, decor	€400	€1,200
Total	€5,500	€13,500

So the furnished premium of €7,500–€15,000 is roughly equivalent to buying mid-range furniture yourself. The key advantage of buying furnished is time and convenience — the property is ready to use (or rent) immediately, and you avoid the logistics of sourcing, delivering and assembling everything in a foreign country. Popular furniture stores on the Costa Blanca include IKEA (Murcia, 40 minutes from Torrevieja), Leroy Merlin, and local retailers like Muebles Boom and Amuebla.

The Inventory: What Should Be Included

The most important step when buying a furnished property is agreeing on a detailed inventory (inventario) that is annexed to the purchase contract. This document should list every item included in the sale — and ideally be accompanied by photographs taken during the viewing. Without a formal inventory, disputes about what was “supposed to be included” are common.

A good inventory should specify: all furniture (with description, not just “2x chairs” but “2x white wooden dining chairs”), white goods (fridge, washing machine, dishwasher, oven), air conditioning units, curtains and blinds, light fixtures, and any outdoor furniture or barbecue. It should also note items that are excluded from the sale — personal items, artwork, specific electronics, etc.

Under Spanish law, fixtures that are “attached” to the property (built-in wardrobes, fitted kitchen, bathroom fittings, air conditioning units, blinds) are considered part of the immovable property and should always be included unless explicitly excluded. Movable items (sofas, beds, lamps) are only included if stated in the contract or inventory.

Rental Investment: Furnished Is Essential

If you are buying for holiday rental, a furnished property is non-negotiable. Guests expect a fully equipped, move-in-ready home. The quality of furnishings directly affects your nightly rate and reviews. Properties with modern, well-maintained furniture and a well-equipped kitchen consistently achieve higher occupancy and better ratings than tired, outdated interiors.

For long-term rental, the situation is mixed. Spanish tenants renting year-round often prefer unfurnished, as they have their own furniture. However, the expat rental market on the Costa Blanca strongly favours furnished — tenants arriving from abroad for 6–12 months expect a ready-to-live property. If your target market is international tenants, furnished is the way to go. For more on rental returns, see our rental income guide.