Kindred has identified Spain as a European expansion market, but Barcelona — with its beach appeal and established tourist infrastructure — has received more attention than Madrid. For Madrid residents, Kindred’s modern platform is appealing but the local inventory is still thin.
Kindred’s fee structure creates particular friction in Madrid. The city’s late-night, tapas-hopping culture means visitors come for long weekends and extended stays — but Kindred’s cleaning fees plus service fees make even a four-night trip cost €400+ in platform charges. In a city where a world-class dinner with wine costs €25, paying €400 to a platform feels disproportionate.
SwapSpace understands that home swapping should be affordable by local standards, not just by Silicon Valley standards — and that cities like Madrid deserve equal priority to coastal tourist destinations.
What Is Kindred?
Kindred is a members-only home swapping network founded in 2021 by former Opendoor employees. It has grown rapidly to almost 300,000 members across 150+ cities, backed by $148 million in venture funding from investors including Andreessen Horowitz, NEA, and Index Ventures. Kindred operates on a give-to-get credit system where one night hosted equals one credit to travel. There is no annual membership fee, but guests pay a service fee of up to $35 per night plus cleaning fees per trip. Kindred provides professional cleaning before and after each stay, a concierge service for logistics, and $100,000 in host protection coverage. The platform is app-first and requires all members to list their own home before they can browse others.
Why Madrid Travellers Are Looking for Kindred Alternatives
Kindred has Spanish presence, but Madrid sits behind Barcelona in priority.
Madrid inventory trails Barcelona significantly. Kindred’s Spanish expansion focused on Barcelona first. Madrid — despite being Spain’s capital, largest city, and an increasingly important international destination — has thinner listings and less network value for local members.
Fees are disproportionate to Madrid’s cost of living. Kindred’s cleaning fees (€250-300) plus service fees (up to €30/night) mean a four-night Madrid swap costs €370-420 in fees. In a city where a caña (beer) costs €2.50 and a menú del día costs €12, spending €400 on platform fees feels absurd.
Madrid’s domestic swap needs aren’t served. Madrid members often want Spanish regional swaps — Barcelona, San Sebastián, Málaga, the Balearic Islands. Kindred’s inventory in these secondary Spanish markets is thin, limiting the regional exchanges that madrileños most value.
Kindred vs SwapSpace: How They Compare
| Feature | Kindred | SwapSpace |
|---|---|---|
| Membership cost | No annual fee — service fee up to $35/night + cleaning fees per trip | Free during founding phase |
| Credit system | Credits — 1 night hosted = 1 credit, all homes equal | SwapCredits – 1 credit = 1 night, all homes equal |
| Welcome credits | 5 credits at signup | 7 SwapCredits for every new member |
| Verification | Application-based, members vetted | Invite-only, every application reviewed |
| Renters welcome | Yes | Yes – renters are first-class members |
| Damage protection | $100,000 host protection | Coming soon |
| Madrid listings | Available | Growing – founding community |
Why SwapSpace Works for Madrid Members
SwapSpace is an invite-only home exchange community where verified members swap homes and travel affordably using SwapCredits. Unlike Kindred, every member is vetted before joining, creating a high-trust community from day one.
The SwapCredits system is deliberately simple. One credit equals one night at any SwapSpace home, regardless of size or location. This means Madrid renters with modest flats can access the same destinations as homeowners with large properties – something that not every platform offers.
New members receive 7 SwapCredits immediately after listing their home. That is enough for a full week of accommodation before you have hosted anyone. This solves one of the biggest frustrations with traditional home exchange – needing to earn points or arrange a simultaneous swap before you can travel.
SwapSpace is currently building its founding community across London, New York, and cities across Europe. Madrid is a priority location, which means members who join now get early access to the community and the most attentive support as it grows.
Home Swapping Tips for Madrid
Madrid is Spain’s vibrant capital — and home swapping here offers a deeply authentic Spanish experience.
Barrio identity defines the Madrid experience. Malasaña’s vintage shops and craft cocktail bars, La Latina’s Sunday Rastro market and tapas crawl, Lavapiés’s multicultural energy, Chueca’s rainbow-flagged terraces — each barrio is a world unto itself. Your listing should transport visitors into daily life in your specific neighbourhood.
The late-night culture is a genuine selling point. Madrid’s rhythm is unlike any other European capital — dinner at 10pm, drinks at midnight, streets alive until dawn. If your neighbourhood embodies this, mention it. International visitors from earlier-dining cultures find this thrilling and specifically seek it out.
Metro connectivity is excellent. Madrid’s Metro is one of Europe’s most extensive. Mention your nearest station and how many stops to Sol, Gran Vía, or the Prado. Good Metro access significantly increases your listing’s appeal.
Summer heat is intense — AC is essential. Madrid summers regularly exceed 40°C. Air conditioning isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a requirement. If your apartment has AC, state it clearly. If it doesn’t, suggest the best months to visit (spring and autumn are ideal) and be transparent about summer conditions.
What Madrid SwapSpace Members Are Looking For
Madrid members include Spanish professionals, international residents drawn by the city’s lifestyle, and families rooted in their neighbourhood communities. Many live in characterful apartments in historic buildings — high ceilings, wooden shutters, interior courtyards — the kind of homes that embody Madrid’s architectural personality.
Incoming demand for Madrid comes from across Europe and increasingly from the US and Latin America. Visitors want the authentic madrileño experience: eating jamón at a neighbourhood bar in La Latina, watching sunset from Templo de Debod, browsing the Prado without rushing, and experiencing the city’s legendary nightlife. Your Madrid apartment, in a real barrio with real neighbourhood life, makes this possible.
How SwapSpace Works
1. Apply and get verified. Submit your home details and photos. We review every application within 48 hours to ensure quality and trust across the community.
2. Earn and use SwapCredits. Receive 7 credits when you join – enough for a week of free accommodation. Earn more by hosting other members. Each credit equals one night at any SwapSpace home worldwide.
3. Swap and travel. Browse available homes, connect with verified hosts, and start exploring. Whether it is a mutual swap or a one-way stay using credits, every exchange is between trusted, vetted members.
Ready to Start Swapping in Madrid?
SwapSpace is currently accepting applications from homeowners and renters in Madrid. As a founding member, you will get early access to the community, 7 SwapCredits to start travelling immediately, and a say in how the platform grows.
Looking for alternatives to other platforms in Madrid? Check out our guides to the best HomeExchange alternative in Madrid, best Airbnb alternative in Madrid, best VRBO alternative in Madrid.
