Working abroad Tips & Tricks

Living and working in Barcelona

Last update: 8 January, 2024  ◦  24 November, 2023 by Photo from Lisa Lisa  ◦  4 minutes reading time
Living and working in Barcelona

Barcelona! The city where you can endlessly savor flavorful tapas or a full plate of paella while enjoying sweet sangria. The city boasts a delightful (kilometers-long!) urban beach, nearly 70 parks, and countless charming shops, restaurants, and a rich culture to explore. Let's not forget the stage of the famous architect Gaudí. Living and working in Barcelona? Absolutely a must!

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8 January, 2024

Barcelona 🇪🇸
Barcelona is the vibrant capital of Catalonia and the second-largest city in Spain. Each year, around 8 million people visit this city, and it's easy to see why. Barcelona is the perfect destination if you want to revel in cultural attractions, culinary delights, and beautiful beaches! Many consider Barcelona among the most stunning cities in Europe. So, working in Barcelona should definitely be on your bucket list.

Of course, the city is renowned for the famous architectural works of Gaudí, some of which are even listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You must not miss these when living and working in Barcelona! Rent a bike in the morning and follow a route along his masterpieces. Barcelona offers numerous charming places for lunch, such as Caravelle. Here, they prepare delicious dishes using fresh seasonal ingredients, including burgers, bowls, tacos, and more. Furthermore, it's just a 10-minute bike ride from the beach. Ending your day on the beach, soaking in the relaxed atmosphere of Barcelona, is truly a treat!

Life in Barcelona 🏙
When you choose to work in Barcelona, you'll enjoy a pleasant climate almost all year round. The city even boasts 2,524 hours of sunshine, per year, ranking it in the top 10 European cities with the most sun! With this abundance of vitamin D, the Spaniards are laid-back people who love outdoor living. In their free time, you often find them with a drink and snacks on a terrace, in the park, or on the city beach. Spaniards are not too concerned about time, so don't be surprised if a local friend is a bit later than you agreed upon. When you start living in Barcelona, you'll quickly notice that the daily rhythm of Spaniards is different from that in other countries. Spaniards often have lunch later in the day at a restaurant and dinner around 21:00 PM!

Living and working in Barcelona will never be boring, you have all the time to immerse yourself in the real Barcelona lifestyle. Settle down in cafes in less touristy areas, stroll through charming neighborhoods like Barrio Gotico and El Born (or one of the many others), and practice your Spanish culinary skills in your own kitchen. Try shopping for groceries at Mercat de la Boqueria, a covered market where vendors sell over 30,000 fresh products. It's touristy, but definitely worth it to score the ingredients for your dinner! Since not all Spaniards speak English fluently, it's helpful and fun to take a Spanish language course.

Living in Barcelona 🏡

Barcelona, thanks to its vibrant city life, affordable living conditions, and pleasant climate, is a popular city for living and working abroad. The cost of living in Barcelona depends on the location you choose. The average costs range from 450 EUR to 900 EUR, depending on whether or not you share accommodation. In the heart of Barcelona, you often pay significantly more for smaller spaces than in the charming suburbs of the city. In total, Barcelona is divided into 10 'districtes' with 73 neighborhoods. The more affordable districts include Sant Martí, Sants-Montjuïc, Nou Barris, and Sant Andreu. On this page, you can find discounts for accommodations through us! Don't forget that you need a NIE number to live and work in Spain.

Reliable websites with a wide range of accommodations in Barcelona are:

Prices for daily groceries, restaurants, phone services, internet, and public transportation are generally low. A subscription to public transportation is a must if you plan to live in Barcelona. The city boasts an excellent network of metros, buses, trains, and trams, which is perfect if you reside a bit further from the city center. If you prefer an active means of transport, the city has also invested significantly in its cycling infrastructure in recent years. For just 50 EUR per year, you can rent a bicycle through Bicing, what a great way to get some exercise around the city!

Working in Barcelona 👩‍💻

The combination of the pleasant climate, excellent infrastructure, relaxed lifestyle, and the coastal location attracts companies of all shapes and sizes to establish themselves in Barcelona. In traditional workplaces, people often work long hours (they also take long breaks) and there's a hierarchical structure. Modern companies tend to be more flexible and open. Personal interaction is highly valued when you start working in Barcelona. Spaniards are friendly and love to chat and they genuinely want you to enjoy your time. The elaborate lunches and open communication among colleagues often lead to the easy formation of friendships in the workplace.

Do you want to embark on an adventure under the Spanish sun? Quickly check our job vacancies in Barcelona and start your adventure today! Living and working in Spain is a fantastic experience!