Erasmus in Madrid

Madrid, Spain's capital and largest city, has one of the highest concentrations of university students in Europe. You'll meet people from Complutense (UCM), Autónoma (UAM), Carlos III and Politécnica (UPM), plus private schools like IE University and ICADE (Comillas).

No sea here, but Madrid's central location makes it a perfect base to explore Spain. AVE high-speed trains and cheap buses reach Toledo in 30 minutes and Seville or Valencia in under three hours. The city itself is sprawling but extremely well connected, and each neighborhood has a strong identity of its own.

On budget, Madrid has gotten pricier in the last few years, mainly because of rent. Plan for around €1,100/month all-in in a shared flat. Food, drinks and culture, however, are still very affordable compared to Paris, London or Amsterdam.

The rental market is very tight, especially around the September intake. Start searching in July if you can, and try to spend a few days on-site to view places — booking blind is a real gamble.

Useful platforms: Idealista (the local benchmark), Spotahome, Badi, Pepe Housing and Erasmus Play (international-student focused, pricier but safer). Budget €500-700/month for a room in a shared flat, depending on neighborhood and condition.

Key areas to know: Malasaña and Chueca (central, young, lively nightlife), Lavapiés (multicultural, cheaper), La Latina (tapas streets and Sunday vermouth crowds), Moncloa-Argüelles (close to universities, student vibe), Chamberí (quiet residential, good compromise). Watch out for scams: never pay before visiting in person and signing a real contract, and always demand a receipt for the deposit.

Madrid's public transport is excellent and incredibly cheap for young people. The Abono Joven costs just €10/month for under-26s and covers all zones (A to E2): metro, buses, Cercanías commuter trains, trams, anywhere in the Madrid region. Confirmed for 2026. Order the physical card as soon as you arrive (NIE + empadronamiento help).

The metro runs from about 6am to 1:30am (slightly later on weekends). Cercanías (suburban rail) is essential if your campus is outside town (UAM at Cantoblanco, Carlos III at Getafe or Leganés). Night buses ("Búhos") take over when the metro shuts.

BiciMAD public bikes are now restricted to registered residents. E-scooters (Lime, Bird, Dott) cover the center but are banned on sidewalks and restricted in several zones.

ESN Madrid is one of the biggest ESN sections in Europe: welcome parties, trips, sports, language exchanges. Every major university also has its own local chapter. Meeting people in your first week is the easy part.

Culture-wise, Madrid is unbeatable: Prado, Reina Sofía (Picasso's Guernica) and Thyssen form the "art triangle". Student tip: free entry during the last 2 hours every day at the Prado and Reina Sofía, and free on Mondays at the Thyssen. To breathe, head to Retiro park or Casa de Campo on weekends.

Nightlife is legendary and runs late: tapas and cañas in La Latina or Malasaña, clubs until 6am (Kapital, Joy Eslava, Teatro Barceló). For weekends, use the AVE or buses to discover Toledo, Segovia, Salamanca, Seville or Valencia — a few hours and you're there.

The NIE (Foreigner Identity Number) is your gateway to everything: opening a bank account, signing a lease, university enrollment. Book online through the Ministry of Interior for an appointment at the Oficina de Extranjería or a police station — slots fill fast, plan 4-6 weeks ahead.

The empadronamiento (registration at your local town hall) happens after arrival, with your rental contract or a landlord's note. You'll need it for the youth transport card, the Spanish-side EHIC/CEAM for longer stays, and several university procedures.

For banking, N26 or Revolut work fine at first. If you need a local Spanish IBAN for the deposit or local transfers, BBVA, Santander or Openbank offer free student accounts. Non-EU students must also get a student visa beforehand, then apply for the TIE (physical residence card) within 30 days of arrival.

Madrid is monolingual: only Spanish (Castilian) is official, unlike Barcelona or Valencia. A real advantage if you want to improve fast — full immersion, no regional dialect to navigate.

You can survive in English in touristy areas, and many degree programs (especially at IE, Carlos III, UAM) are taught in English. But for daily life, paperwork and actually making local friends, A2-B1 Spanish minimum changes everything.

To progress: language tandems are everywhere. Try Mundo Lingo (Wednesday nights in several bars), Tándem Madrid events, or language exchanges in Malasaña bars. Universities offer intensive courses: Centro Complutense de Enseñanza del Español, UAM or Carlos III language centers, often with Erasmus discounts.

Also on Erasly in Madrid