Flex Living in Spain Explained

The boom of Flex Living in Spain explained

The term Flex Living (short for FLEXIBLE LIVING) is an innovative rental model that offers maximum flexibility, customized services, and a sense of community to the tenant. It is the perfect housing model for people looking for comfort without a long term commitment. And… It is affordable!

The concept of Flex Living is booming and redefining the housing market in Spain, especially in cities where housing is limited and expensive, such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Palma De Mallorca. 

What exactly is Flex Living?

Flex Living helps residents find a balance between independence and connection. It not only provides a viable alternative to traditional rentals, but also fosters the creation of vibrant resident communities. 

Flex Living exists under different formats, focusing on a wide spectrum of audiences, budgets, and stays. Globexs, one of the larger operators of Flex Living in Spain and Belgium, identifies the following formats: Coliving communities, Cohousing communities, Serviced apartments and Senior living.

Different formats of Flex Living in Spain

• Coliving Communities

  A coliving is basically an upgraded shared apartment with built-in community features and flexible leasing. The difference between a coliving and a shared apartment is huge. A shared apartment is an apartment where several people live under the same roof, but without attention to a community and without a professional operator.

  A coliving on the other hand is a professionally run housing project with great attention to shared spaces and the community. Residents are carefully selected and are encouraged to participate in events organized by the operator.

• Cohousing Communities

  Cohousing communities are typically designed for residents who buy or lease individual homes while sharing common spaces. As opposed to colivings, cohousings are usually focused on longer stays. The residents collaboratively design and manage the community.

  Unlike coliving, cohousing communities provide more autonomy, with private homes or apartments alongside shared spaces like gardens, coworking spaces, community kitchens, or event halls. Cohousing communities are usually located in more rural areas, while colivings are typically smaller, and located in larger metropolitan areas.

• Serviced Apartments

  Serviced apartments are fully furnished and equipped urban apartments, usually rented with all expenses included, and with a flexible rental contract. The apartments are professionally branded and managed by an operator and the tenant has access to additional services. The tenants are part of the community organized by the operator.

  People looking for a temporary, fully furnished apartment have significantly more options than before the Covid-19 pandemic, and expect a better product. They expect to have the option to participate to a vibrant community (or not), and expect a professional operator with a strong brand.

• Senior Living

  Senior Living refers to various housing options and communities designed specifically for older adults, typically aged 65+. These communities respond to different levels of independence, healthcare needs, and lifestyle preferences. A senior living unit is not to be confused with a typical retirement home.

  Today older people have a combination of social and health needs to which Flex Living provides an answer. Flex Living can prolong an independent and active life. Senior Living was created to provide solutions to elderly people that are still in an optimal state of health, and still want to enjoy an active life.

A very specific and innovative rental model

Obviously the concepts of flat sharing and temporary furnished rentals are not new, and every major city in Spain counts with several operators. However, what is new is that the audience has shifted from almost exclusively foreign expats, on a specific assignment, to a much broader public.

Temporary rentals and Flex Living in general is becoming more and more attractive to both locals and foreigners, of all ages, of all professional backgrounds. And above all, the expectations of the users has changed a lot. Operators that simply provide accommodation without additional services are losing market share.

All modern Flex Living formats have the following features in common:

1. Professionally run by an operator (such as Globexs)

2. Flexible leases

3. Focus on the community

Flex Living is an accommodation model that falls between the hotel and residential spectrum, but at the same time is different from both. The user is looking for more than just accommodation: He is looking for services, comfort, and a community without a long-term commitment.

Where does Flex Living suddenly come from?

An extension of the sharing economy

The nature of work was forever changed by the pandemic, with many jobs becoming fully remote. The demand for traditional office spaces has shifted with the rapid growth of coworking. At the same time, retail has been transformed in the last 10 years by the rise of e-commerce, and we no longer have a problem whatsoever with sharing a car or a bike with other users. However, the housing sector has largely resisted this evolution to sharing. Rigid lease agreements, steep early termination fees, and soaring rental costs have persisted, making housing increasingly inaccessible.

Flex Living is revolutionizing this landscape and redefining modern housing the way Uber changed transport and Airbnb changed travel. Flex Living is a natural extension of the sharing economy, which prioritizes access over ownership and maximizes the use of shared resources. Like ridesharing (Uber, Lyft) and coworking (WeWork, Regus), Flex Living transforms traditional housing by making living spaces more accessible, cost-effective, and adaptable.

A proven concept in Northern Europe and the USA

So far we have already learned that the Flex Living concept evolved from shifting lifestyle trends, the rise of the sharing economy, and changes in work culture. In the first place it emerged in response to challenges in traditional rental markets, where long leases, high upfront costs, and inflexible terms limited housing options.

While its roots can be traced to cities like New York, London, and Berlin, the Flex Living concept has expanded globally, adapting to different cultural and economic conditions. Currently France has the largest number of Flex Living units in Europe, followed by the UK. According to a 2024 study of Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) “The Flex Living Market in Spain”, Spain is currently 3rd, but catching up.

It is all about flexibility

The 2 main pillars of Flex Living are flexibility and community. Flex Living is designed to remove the rigid constraints of traditional rentals, offering a more adaptable, hassle-free housing experience.

Flexible lease terms

Flex Living units offer month-to-month, short-term, or subscription-based leases (as short as a few weeks or months). There are no long-term commitments, allowing tenants to move when needed.

Fully furnished, fully equipped

Flex Living units come with furniture, kitchenware, appliances, Wi-Fi, and utilities, and are ready for immediate move-in. No need to buy or transport furniture, reducing upfront costs.

All inclusive pricing

The rent includes utilities, Wi-Fi, cleaning services, and maintenance in a single bill. Usually the utilities are capped to avoid excessive usage.

Multi city living

Many Flex Living operators offer multi-city memberships, allowing tenants to move seamlessly between locations. Ideal for remote workers, digital nomads, and professionals who relocate frequently. The Globexs Spain Digital Nomad Program is a good example.

Integrated work & social spaces

Many spaces include coworking areas, lounges, fitness centers, and social events, supporting both work and lifestyle needs.

Hassle-free maintenance & repairs

On-demand maintenance and cleaning services included, reducing the burden on tenants. No need to deal with landlords or repair costs.

The importance of the operator

The operator is the backbone of the Flex Living community and must ensure that the coliving space functions efficiently, remains financially sustainable, and delivers a high-quality living experience for the residents. Unlike traditional landlords, professional operators go beyond just renting out rooms: They create community-driven environments, manage services, and optimize property use to maximize the resident satisfaction.

Defining the community

Flex Living exists under different formats, with more or less “community sense”. Some formats such as urban digital nomad coliving spaces are very much focused on the creation of a tight community. In fact, the “Look-How-Cool-Our-Community-Is” is the main USP for many urban colivings in the largest cities in Spain. Other flex living formats are less focussed on the community and more on the quality of the individual living units, and are leaning more towards traditional “aparthotels”.

Everything depends on the operator. The operator defines the identity of the accommodation and the involvement of the residents in the community, and must organize events, networking opportunities, and social gatherings to create meaningful connections.

Conflict resolution & tenant management

In shared living environments conflicts can arise over shared spaces, noise, or cleanliness. A professional operator must acts as a neutral mediator, enforcing house rules and addressing disputes proactively.

Operational efficiency & maintenance management

Operators must efficiently handle property maintenance, cleaning, security, and repairs to ensure a hassle-free experience. Their role is to provide daily on-demand support for residents, regular inspections and proactive maintenance. A non-professional operator with slow response times will frustrate residents and lead to high turnover.

The future of Flex Living in Spain

The Flex Living sector in Spain will continue to expand as long as it keeps adapting to the evolving housing preferences. Undoubtedly it will bring confidence to real estate investors as a sustainable housing model, and the Spanish administration will follow with supportive policies. At Globexs we feel that there is no way back. The concept of Flex Living reflects the new reality of how we live and work.

As the market matures, it is expected to diversify further, offering an ever wider range of flexible housing options. Operators are becoming more and more creative to answer the dynamic needs of their residents.

Membership programs

Nowadays, many coliving operators in Spain are moving toward subscription-based or membership-based rentals, offering the residents to move freely between different locations. An example is the Globexs Spain Digital Nomad Program allowing residents to freely move between the different Globexs colivings in Elche/Alicante, Valencia and Madrid.

An ever wider audience

As we have earlier in this article, many different types of housing arrangements fall under the definition of Flex Living, and the audience ranges from students to digital nomads to professionals to seniors. Even though Flex Living was in the first place adapted to the needs of younger digital nomads, the concept is appealing to large sections of the population (Basically to anyone that is seeking flexibility and a connection with likeminded souls). Flex Living allows tenants to rent properties for shorter periods, adapting their housing to their changing needs, whether for work, study, or … retire.

Indeed, not only amongst young people the concept of Flex Living is gaining momentum. Baby boomers never saw themselves getting old, but now it’s time for them to retire, and they want to do so in their own way. Naturally, baby boomers have a completely different life than their parents did and, as a result, their retirement looks different as well. Seniors today are staying longer and longer active, and are willing to travel. Many operators are already offering the possibility to their seniors to move freely between residencies in different locations.

Flex Living is also becoming increasingly popular amongst families with young children because it offers them the convenience, flexibility, and affordability needed to adapt to changing lifestyles. It typically involves short-term, furnished rentals with built-in services, allowing families to move more easily without the burdens of long-term leases or homeownership. Ideal for remote-working parents or those testing different cities before settling down.

Globexs Flex Living Communities

Globexs is one of the more important Flex Living operators in Spain. With head office in Valencia, and a branch in Madrid, Globexs is managing hundreds of serviced apartments, and several Coliving Communities. 

Check out the Globexs communities in the most important destinations, or contact us for more information. 

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• Flex Living in Valencia

  Globexs manages colivings and serviced apartments for expats and digital nomads in Valencia.

• Flex Living in Madrid

  Bernabeu and Calero are the 2 most popular coliving spaces managed by Globexs in Madrid.

• Flex Living in Elche-Alicante

  The Palmera Coliving in the city center of Elche is the perfect starting point to explore Spain.

Interesting articles about Flex Living

Check out the Globexs blog and read about Flex Living in Spain:

• The future for digital nomads in Spain.

• Globexs opens new coliving spaces.

• Why digital nomads are moving to Malaga.

• Digital nomads in Cadiz

• The best areas to live as an expat in Valencia.

• The rise of the digital nomad in Spain.

Frequently Asked Questions

You have a question? We have an answer.

What is Flex Living?

The term Flex Living (short for FLEXIBLE LIVING) is an innovative rental model that offers maximum flexibility, customized services, and a sense of community to the tenant. It is the perfect housing model for people looking for comfort without a long term commitment. And… It is affordable!

Flex Living helps residents find a balance between independence and connection. It not only provides a viable alternative to traditional rentals, but also fosters the creation of vibrant resident communities. 

Flex Living exists under different formats, focusing on a wide spectrum of audiences, budgets, and stays. Globexs, one of the larger operators of Flex Living in Spain and Belgium, identifies the following formats: Coliving communities, Cohousing communities, Serviced apartments and Senior living.

What kind of rentals does Globexs offer?

Globexs never rents apartments for tourism purposes, nor offers long term rentals. Globexs is specialized in expat rentals:

• The apartments and houses are fully furnished

• The minimum stay is 1 month. The maximum stay is 11 months.

• The apartments are only intended for use as a temporary housing accommodation.

• Registration on the address is not allowed

• The tenants are not permitted to make it their principal or main place of residence.

• It is not permitted to exercise any trade or craft in the property, nor any other profession.

The owners of the apartments that Globexs offers to its customers have authorized Globexs to negotiate the price and the conditions of the rental with the tenants, and to sign the rental contract on their behalf. However, the owners of the apartments have the final word and need to approve to Globexs the conditions of every rental before Globexs can sign the rental contract on their behalf.

Every rental contract is a legal agreement between the owner of the apartment and the tenant. Globexs acts as an intermediate defending the interests of the owner and the tenant. 

How does the rental process work?

Regardless whether you have found a suitable apartment on Globexs.com or not, simply contact our rental agents. They will guide you through the process and the paperwork. Booking an apartment is fast and easy.

1. You choose your apartment

2. You submit the paperwork

3. When your application is approved you receive the first invoice

4. After payment your booking is pre-confirmed

5. You sign the rental contract

6. You wait for check-in instructions

If you have any questions, we are here to support you at every step.

Can I view the apartment before confirming it?

Whenever practically possible, we are happy to make a viewing appointment for you. However, if the landlord is not available or if the current tenant of the apartment does not consent to a viewing, then it is unfortunately not possible. But not to worry, because most apartments on our platform are verified by a Globexs staff member.

Can I register on the address?

No. It is strictly forbidden to register on the address of a Globexs apartment. Globexs apartments are for temporary use only. The tenant needs to fill out his main address on the rental contract, and needs to notice Globexs in writing if this main address changes. On the rental contract the tenant also needs to mention the reason for his temporary stay. The minimum stay in a Globexs apartment is 1 month, and the maximum stay is 11 months.

What documents do I need to book a Globexs apartment?

We verify the identity and solvency of all tenants. We need the following information / documentation:

• Your current address

• A valid government-issued identity document for each person moving in. 

• If you are an employee: a copy of your employment contract or current payslips 

• If your company pays the rent for you: a confirmation that they cover the monthly rent. 

• If you are self-employed or a freelancer: financial evidence to confirm that you have enough financial liquidity to cover the monthly rent (e.g. a current bank account statement)

• If you are a student / intern: proof of enrollment or internship and financial evidence (e.g. a current bank account statement) or security by a third party including an income statement and a copy of the guarantor's ID or passport

Do you want to know more about the Globexs services and rentals?

Our sales team is at your service.

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