Yes, you can request a rental contract if required by local law. Uniplaces provides contract templates in the Landlord Portal for Portugal and Spain.
Is a contract required?
Whether a written rental contract is legally required depends on your country, the type of rental and the duration of the tenancy. In most European countries, a written contract is either mandatory or strongly recommended for medium-term rentals — particularly for rentals exceeding one month.
Even where it’s not legally required, a written contract protects both you and the tenant by clearly defining the terms of the tenancy — rent amount, duration, deposit, house rules and the obligations of each party.
What Uniplaces provides
Uniplaces offers ready-to-download rental contract templates through the Landlord Portal for landlords renting in Portugal and Spain. These templates are designed to comply with local rental law and can be used as a starting point for your tenancy agreement.
- Portugal — visit the Portal do Arrendamento at portal.uniplaces.com/pt-pt
- Spain — visit the Portal del Alquiler at portal.uniplaces.com/es
Portugal rental contract — key points
In Portugal, medium-term rentals are governed by the Novo Regime do Arrendamento Urbano (NRAU). A written contract is required for tenancies exceeding 30 days. The contract must include the property address, the agreed rent, the tenancy duration, the deposit amount and the parties’ identification details. The contract should be registered with the Portuguese Tax Authority (AT) within 30 days of signing.
Spain rental contract — key points
In Spain, rental contracts for residential accommodation are governed by the Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos (LAU). A written contract is strongly recommended and must include the property address, rent amount, tenancy duration and the identities of both parties. The mandatory one-month deposit (fianza) must also be referenced and deposited with the regional authority.
How to share the contract with your tenant
Once you’ve prepared the rental contract, share it with your tenant before or on move-in day. Both parties should sign the contract — keep a signed copy for your records and provide one to the tenant. Do not send contracts through unofficial channels — use email or in-person signing, and keep a digital and physical copy of all signed documents.
Frequently asked questions
Does Uniplaces verify or validate my rental contract?
No — Uniplaces provides contract templates as a resource, but does not review, validate or sign rental contracts on your behalf. The contract is a private legal document between you and your tenant. Consult a local legal professional if you need advice on specific contract terms.
Can I use my own contract instead of the Uniplaces template?
Yes — the Uniplaces templates are a starting point. You can use your own contract as long as it complies with local tenancy law. If you have specific requirements or conditions you want to include, a local lawyer can help you draft a custom agreement.
Does the rental contract replace the booking confirmation from Uniplaces?
No — the Uniplaces booking confirmation is a separate document that confirms the booking terms on the platform. The rental contract is a legal tenancy agreement between you and your tenant. Both documents are relevant and should be kept separately.
What if the tenant refuses to sign the contract?
Contact the Uniplaces support team if a tenant refuses to sign a contract that is legally required in your country. This is an unusual situation and the team can advise on how to proceed while protecting your interests.
Still need help?
Contact our landlord support team →