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🏡 Housing & Relocation

Renting in your new country

The rental basics that catch newcomers out — deposit norms, lease length, furnished availability and whether you must register your address.

Two things catch newcomers out when renting abroad: the upfront cash — a deposit plus an agency fee can mean three months’ rent before you hold the keys — and the paperwork. Many countries require you to register your home address with the authorities within days, and a missed registration can stall your visa, bank account or tax number.

The table covers the rental basics per country: typical lease length, deposit norms, furnished availability and whether registration is mandatory. Indicative rents live on the cost-of-living pages — here the focus is how the rental process works and what to prepare before you arrive.

Country Typical lease Deposit Furnished Register address?
Albania 1 year 1 mo Furnished + unfurnished Yes
Antigua and Barbuda 6 months 1 mo Furnished + unfurnished No
Argentina 2 years 1 mo Furnished + unfurnished No
Barbados 1 year 1 mo Furnished common No
Brazil 30 months 3 mo Furnished + unfurnished Yes
Cape Verde 1 year Furnished + unfurnished No
Colombia 1 year Furnished + unfurnished Yes
Costa Rica 1 year 1 mo Furnished + unfurnished No
Croatia 1 year Furnished common Yes
Curacao 1 year 1 mo Furnished common Yes
Cyprus 1 year 1 mo Furnished common Yes
Czech Republic 1 year 3 mo Furnished + unfurnished Yes
Dominican Republic 1 year 2 mo Furnished + unfurnished No
Ecuador 1 year 2 mo Furnished common No
Estonia 1 year 1 mo Furnished + unfurnished Yes
Georgia 1 year 1 mo Furnished common Yes
Germany 3 mo Furnished + unfurnished Yes
Greece 3 years Furnished common Yes
Grenada 1 year Furnished common No
Hungary 1 year 2 mo Furnished + unfurnished Yes
Iceland 1 year 3 mo Furnished + unfurnished Yes
Indonesia 1 year 2 mo Furnished + unfurnished Yes
Italy 4 years 3 mo Furnished + unfurnished Yes
Japan 2 years 1 mo Mostly unfurnished Yes
Kenya 1 year 2 mo Furnished + unfurnished Yes
Latvia 1 year 1 mo Furnished + unfurnished Yes
Malaysia 1 year 2 mo Furnished common No
Malta 1 year 1 mo Furnished common Yes
Mauritius 1 year 2 mo Furnished common No
Mexico 1 year 1 mo Furnished + unfurnished No
Montenegro 1 year 1 mo Furnished common Yes
Namibia 1 year 1 mo Mostly unfurnished No
Netherlands 1 year 2 mo Furnished + unfurnished Yes
Norway 1 year 3 mo Furnished + unfurnished Yes
Panama 1 year 1 mo Furnished + unfurnished No
Philippines 1 year 2 mo Furnished common Yes
Portugal 1 year 2 mo Furnished common Yes
Romania 1 year 2 mo Furnished common Yes
Serbia 1 year 1 mo Furnished common Yes
Seychelles 1 year 2 mo Furnished common No
Slovenia 1 year 2 mo Furnished + unfurnished Yes
South Africa 1 year 1 mo Furnished + unfurnished No
South Korea 2 years Furnished + unfurnished Yes
Spain 1 year 1 mo Furnished common Yes
Sri Lanka 1 year 2 mo Furnished + unfurnished No
Taiwan 1 year 2 mo Furnished + unfurnished Yes
Thailand 1 year 2 mo Furnished common Yes
Turkey 1 year 2 mo Furnished common Yes
United Arab Emirates 1 year 1 mo Furnished + unfurnished Yes
Uruguay 2 years Furnished + unfurnished No

Deposits and agency fees are where newcomers lose money — and a missed address registration can stall your visa or bank account. Each country’s page has the detail, the platforms locals actually use, and the source.

Renting by country

Frequently asked questions

How much deposit do landlords abroad ask for?

Commonly one to three months’ rent, sometimes plus an agency fee. The deposit column shows the typical norm per country; budget for it on top of your first month.

Do I have to register my address abroad?

In many countries, yes — often within a week of moving in. Registration can be a prerequisite for a residence permit, bank account or tax ID. The table flags where it is required.

Can I rent before I arrive?

You can line up short-term or furnished places remotely, but most long leases need you — and your paperwork — on the ground. Many nomads book a month of temporary housing, then sign a longer lease in person.

Furnished or unfurnished?

It depends on the market — some countries rent mostly furnished, others mostly bare (sometimes without kitchen or light fittings). The furnished column shows what is typical so you are not caught out.

Keep planning

Sources

Dataset generated June 15, 2026.