Ending your rental contract early in Spain
UpdatedRDL 29/2026 reform
Life changes and sometimes you need to leave early. Spanish rental law — the LAU — gives you an orderly way out: ending the tenancy on your side. The law calls it «desistimiento» (withdrawal) and calls the landlord «arrendador». Here we will just say leaving early and landlord. These are the rules.
What changed
- Withdrawing from the contract generates no right to compensation for the landlord (art. 11.3).
- Temporary-housing rentals have their own way out: from one month into the contract and with ten days' notice (art. 11.2).
In short
- Once at least six months of the contract have passed — one month in temporary rentals — you can leave early on your side (art. 11.1 and 11.2).
- You must give the landlord thirty days' notice; ten if your contract is a temporary one (art. 11.1 and 11.2).
- Leaving this way generates no right to compensation for the landlord: you cannot be charged for it (art. 11.3).
In this guide4 min read
When can I leave early? New
Once at least six months of the contract have passed, you can leave early on your side. That is the way out the law calls withdrawal (article 11.1 of the LAU). Before those six months, the law does not provide it.
If your contract is a temporary-housing rental, you can leave early once at least one month has passed since it was signed (article 11.2).
How much notice must I give?
At least thirty days (article 11.1). The period runs from when the landlord receives your notice, so send it through a channel that leaves proof of when it arrived.
If your contract is a temporary-housing rental, the minimum notice is ten days (article 11.2).
Do I have to pay compensation? New
No. If you leave meeting the conditions above — the six months (or one month in temporary rentals) and the notice — leaving early generates no right to compensation in favour of the landlord (article 11.3).
How do I give notice?
In writing and dated. State the day you will leave the home and make sure the notice arrives at least thirty days ahead — ten if your contract is temporary. Below you will find our notice letter template, ready to fill in.
And when you hand back the keys, remember the deposit: once one month has passed since the handover, any deposit money owed to you starts accruing interest (article 36.4). There is a guide and a letter template for claiming it if needed.
The law behind this guide
Article 11 of the LAU as cited in this guide is the one in Royal Decree-law 29/2026 of 6 October, in force since 8 October 2026. Like every royal decree-law, it is subject to validation by the Congress of Deputies within thirty days of its promulgation (article 86 of the Constitution).
Example
You leave 8 months into an ordinary contract
- Minimum notice to the landlord
- 30 days
- Compensation to the landlord
- €0
- If it were a temporary contract: minimum notice
- 10 days
Straight from art. 11 of the LAU: from 6 months in and with 30 days' notice, leaving generates no right to compensation (11.3).
Frequently asked questions
Can I leave before six months of contract?
The way out in article 11.1 exists once at least six months of the contract have passed, giving thirty days' notice. If your contract is a temporary-housing rental, one month since it was signed is enough, with ten days' notice (art. 11.2).
How much notice do I have to give?
At least thirty days; ten days if your contract is a temporary-housing rental (art. 11 of the LAU). The period runs from when the landlord receives the notice.
Can I be charged a penalty for leaving early?
No: if you leave meeting the deadlines of article 11, your leaving generates no right to compensation in favour of the landlord (art. 11.3).
What happens to my deposit when I leave?
Once one month has passed since you hand back the keys, any deposit money owed to you accrues legal interest (art. 36.4). See the deposit guide for how to claim it.
What do I do now?
Check how long you have been there
Look at your contract date: you need at least six months behind you — one month if your rental is temporary.
Give written notice 30 days ahead
Tell the landlord thirty days in advance (ten for temporary rentals), through a channel that leaves proof of when it was received.
Use the notice letter template
The letter below already has the structure and the legal citation: fill in your details and send it.
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