Moving in or moving out? Spain has a thriving second-hand market. Here's how to buy and sell safely as an expat, and why Vendo is the best platform for French-speaking communities.
Buying & Selling Second-Hand in Spain: The Expat Guide
Whether you're arriving and need to furnish a flat on a budget, or leaving and want to sell everything before your flight home, Spain's second-hand market is your best friend.
Why Buy Second-Hand?
- Cost savings: Furniture, appliances and electronics at 30-70% off retail
- Environmental impact: Less waste, more sustainability
- Community: Meet other expats and locals, share tips
- Speed: Available immediately, no delivery delays
Where to Buy and Sell
Vendo — The Expat Marketplace
Vendo is the dedicated platform for the French-speaking expat community in Spain. Unlike generic platforms, everyone here understands the expat experience. You'll find:
- Quality items from people relocating back to France, Belgium or Switzerland
- Fair prices without the lowball culture of other platforms
- A safe, verified community
Other Platforms
- Wallapop — Spain's most popular second-hand app (Spanish-language)
- Milanuncios — older but widely used, especially for furniture
- Facebook Marketplace — useful for local groups
Tips for Selling Successfully
- Good photos are everything — natural light, clean background, multiple angles
- Price fairly — check similar listings before pricing
- Be responsive — buyers move fast, especially for popular items
- Meet in public — for safety, meet in a café or busy area for the handover
- Keep packaging — electronics with original boxes sell 20-30% faster
Tips for Buying Safely
- Inspect before paying — always test electronics before handing over money
- Don't pay in advance — scams exist; never pay bank transfer before seeing the item
- Check for IKEA resale — IKEA Spain has an "as-is" section with great deals
- Timing matters — late August and September (end of rental season) have the most listings from people leaving
The Expat Cycle
One of the beautiful things about expat communities is the "passing it on" culture. An expat who arrived 3 years ago and furnished their flat with second-hand goods will sell everything to the next arrival. Vendo facilitates exactly this cycle.
Post your first listing on Vendo today — it's completely free and your item could be in someone's home by tomorrow.
