Is Moving to Barcelona a Good Idea?
Sponsored by BCN Life.
Yes! Moving to Barcelona is the best decision you will ever make. However, moving to Barcelona has indeed become much more of a challenge than in the past. Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city with amazing weather, beautiful terrain—ranging from the beaches to the mountains—fascinating culture and warm, friendly people.
Often, people ask what it’s like living as an American expat in Barcelona. There are many American expats living here—families, entrepreneurs, startup and tech employees, students and remote workers all call Barcelona home. As an American expat living in Barcelona, the way I describe it is that it’s as if Los Angeles and New York City had a baby. Barcelona has the weather, the beach and mountainous areas like Los Angeles does, but with the cosmopolitan vibe and excellent infrastructure of New York’s public transportation and lifestyle. There are many English speaking expats in Barcelona, and they are easy to find in numerous Facebook groups, but the best way to find them is through a relocation service that focuses only on English speaking and expats moving to Barcelona.
Another popular question is whether it’s expensive to live in Barcelona compared to the US and other international cities popular with expats. An important difference between Barcelona and Los Angeles and New York City is that Barcelona is significantly cheaper to live in. The cost of living in Barcelona is one-quarter to one-half the cost of living in cities such as London, Paris, Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York City.
So then, the next question is often about how easy is it to move to Barcelona. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, a number of changes have been made in Spanish consulates especially in the US (with inconsistencies among them), mainly the filing process for Spanish residency visas. New COVID-19 protocols have made it more difficult than ever for US citizens to obtain a visa to live in Spain.
Brexit has further complicated things. Now, for UK residents, new Brexit rules mean that Britons can no longer live in Spain long-term without first obtaining a visa. The new coronavirus guidelines coupled with new Spanish visa regulations form the worst combination for trying to relocate to Spain. Overall, it has never been more difficult to move to Barcelona. However, you have nothing to fear because BCN Life is here to help you make the move as smooth and stress-free as possible.
1. Develop a Moving-to-Barcelona, Step-by-Step Plan
The first thing that you need to do is to hire a moving-to-Barcelona relocation expert. You should use a relocation agency that specializes in relocating expats who do not speak Spanish, and has firsthand knowledge of all the bureaucratic obstacles that foreign nationals face when going through the immigration and relocation process. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to have a Barcelona relocation expert to guide you through all the steps of your move, including any unanticipated obstacles you will inevitably face when making the move. One wrong decision can cost you dearly.
BCN Life’s native-English-speaking relocation experts will guide you through the ever more challenging process of moving to Barcelona. The agency’s mission is to help you create your best life when moving to Barcelona. Started by American expats who moved to Barcelona with family and pets in tow, BCN Life’s founders believed that there had to be a better and easier way to make the process more efficient and less stressful. So they did! BCN Life has a number of popular Barcelona relocation packages.
2. Determine How You Are Going to Earn a Living in Barcelona
Are you thinking of moving to Barcelona as a remote worker? You should because this is the best way to move to Barcelona and earn a good living—preferably for a US company or a business in the UK. This gives you the best of both worlds. You get to live in this spectacular city and you will earn significantly more than you would working for a company in Spain.
How do you find a job in Barcelona? It is not as easy as you might think. The most popular hiring sector in Barcelona is in technology. However, in order to work for a company in Spain you must be authorized to work in Spain. There are only three ways to do this. The first is if you are an EU citizen, or married or in a registered relationship (pareja de hecho) with an EU citizen. If you are a non-EU national, another way to become authorized work in Spain is by obtaining a job in a company here while you are still in your home country. The third way is to come on another kind of resident visa that allows you to live in Barcelona long-term, but does not authorize you to work, or only permits part-time work. If you later obtain a full-time job offer while living in Barcelona you will be required to modify your visa, but will ultimately be authorized to work in Spain.
Are you thinking about starting a business in Barcelona? Starting a company in Spain is certainly possible. But keep in mind that if you are a non-EU citizen, a member of your company will need to be an EU citizen. There is even a special kind of high tech visa that you can obtain if your company qualifies that will allow you and your family to live and work in Spain. Another option for non-EU nationals is to become self-employed, but this process is a very difficult one and your acceptance for the required visa cannot be guaranteed due to the high unemployment rate in Spain as a whole.
3. Visa and Residency Requirements That Allow You to Live in Barcelona without a Job in Spain
Are you moving to Barcelona from the US or another non-EU country? In order to reside in Spain long-term as a non-EU citizen you must have a visa. For example, if you obtain a job in Barcelona while in the US, you would need a work visa. However, most Americans moving to Barcelona don’t have a job in Spain and either move to Barcelona on a student visa or a non-lucrative visa. The student visa is the most popular for students. The key to obtaining the student visa is knowing where and how to obtain all the required documents within the 90-day time frame, finding the best school for you and finding and securing your long-term rental in a new country. The non-lucrative visa is the most popular for expats, but it is now much more difficult to obtain than ever before.
What is a non-lucrative visa? Spain’s non-lucrative visa used to be a lot easier to acquire, but in 2020 the Spanish government imposed new requirements making it much harder to obtain. Previously, the non-lucrative Spanish visa was the most popular way that many remote workers, American business owners, and young professionals with the required savings, have used to move to Barcelona. However, now more than ever you need to use a non-lucrative visa expert to navigate through the process so that your visa application does not get denied. Most Americans use BCN Life’s non-lucrative visa service for this.
Are you moving to Barcelona from the UK? Before Brexit, moving to Spain from the UK had always been a simpler process. When the UK was still a member state of the EU, UK citizens only needed to obtain what’s called a NIE (número de identidad de extranjero) and residency card to legally reside in Spain. But as of January 1, 2021, UK citizens are now non-EU citizens and need to go through the same visa requirements that all other third-country nationals do in order to move to Barcelona and legally live in Spain.
Are you moving to Barcelona as an EU citizen? Immigration requirements for EU nationals are much less complicated than for non-EU citizens. The only issues you will face will be determined if you are moving with or without a work contract. If you have a work contract in Spain, the steps to establishing residency and obtaining your NIE are easier. If you don’t have a contract, the process has additional steps, such as the need to open a Spanish bank account and deposit a certain amount of funds, and you’ll need to get a long-term rental contract, among other requirements.
Step 4: Obtaining Private Spanish Health Insurance
When do you need private Spanish health insurance for residency? Unless you are a permanent resident of Spain or you work for a Spanish company, you must have private health insurance in order to obtain residency—whether you are an EU citizen or not. The good news is that private health insurance is reasonably inexpensive in Spain. Moreover, the health care here, both public and private, is exceptional and it’s available at a fraction of the cost as compared to the US. The key is to find the best Spanish health insurance carrier for your needs. Also, when contracting private health care, it is imperative that you meet the minimum requirements as outlined by the Spanish government for your visa or NIE, or your residency will be rejected.
What is the difference between public and private health insurance in Spain? While public health insurance is paid for by employees via tax contributions and is available to them for no additional charge, private health insurance is paid for by individuals out of pocket. As compared to the US, private health insurance in Spain is relatively inexpensive. Both public and private health care centers in Spain provide excellent care. Having private insurance doesn't necessarily indicate that you will receive better care, but it can mean shorter waiting periods to make appointments to see a doctor. Another benefit of private health insurance is having greater access to doctors who speak English. Each system has its advantages, and many Spanish citizens use both.
5. Finding the Best Neighborhood to Live in Barcelona
Is it difficult to find the perfect neighborhood to live in, in Barcelona? There are so many great places to live in Barcelona. You can live in the old town of Barcelona, such as the Borne or Gothic, which are more touristy but have a great old-town vibe. You can live down the coast to the south in the suburbs of Castelldefels or Sitges, or on the beach to the north in Badalona, or Diagonal Mar, which is more upscale. Or, you can live in neighboring Poblenou, which is where much of the startup community is located—also along the beach. Or, maybe even in an upscale suburb in the hills, such as Sant Cugat.
So, with all the choices, what are the best places to live in Barcelona? While the above areas do have their appeal, the best places to live in Barcelona are more centrally located within the city, the high-end expat favorites are Turó Park and Sarrià-Sant Gervasi. Also centrally located is the popular Eixample district, which is split between right and left, with right being considered more upscale. Eixample left, however, includes the most hipster area of Sant Antoni. Next to Sant Antoni is Poble-sec which is an up-and-coming neighborhood right next to Montjuïc mountain that boasts beautiful walking trails and overlooks the sea. However, for many—including myself— the best overall place to live in Barcelona is, without a doubt, Gràcia. It’s a bohemian neighborhood with many plazas for socializing and is great for expat family life.
Are you moving to Barcelona with family? When moving with children, choosing the best neighborhood is extremely important because your child’s happiness starts with liking where they live. You must factor in their needs such as outside play areas, proximity to extracurricular activities and whether it is a neighborhood for them to make friends. However, the most important factor is choosing a neighborhood based on where your children will go to school and the logistics of getting them there.
6. Finding the Right School for Your Children
The Spanish school system is separated into four age groups and categories. The first level is early education for children aged three to six, which is like preschool and kindergarten. Next is primary education for children aged five to 12, which is the equivalent of elementary school. After primary is secondary education for students 12 to 16 years old, known as ESO (short for enseñanza secundaria obligatoria) in Spain. After ESO, students attend bachillerato, a two year high school diploma program that prepares them for university.
What are the differences between public and private schools in Barcelona? In the city of Barcelona and throughout the region of Catalunya, the official language is Catalan, not Spanish. Because Catalan is the official language, that means that all public schools teach all core subjects in Catalan with the only exceptions being Spanish class and English class (if offered). Private schools, on the other hand, can offer education primarily in English, French or any other language. There are some public schools which offer more of a balanced, trilingual curriculum between Catalan, Spanish and English; these are called concertada schools.
What are concertada schools in Barcelona? Concertada schools are like public schools in that they receive public funding and have to adhere to all the requirements outlined by the education department, but they are not free of charge like traditional public schools. Concertada schools charge tuition fees, and are considered semi-private. In some ways they are like charter schools in the US if those charter schools charged “tuition” instead of requesting “donations” to obtain additional funding. The best concertada schools in Barcelona are very difficult to get into because they rarely have any spaces available. However, there are some tricks that you can use to get into the most sought-after concertada schools.
What are high school options like in Barcelona? High school in Spain consists of the last two years of education, called bachillerato (or bachi, for short), which is the equivalent of the last two years of the US and UK school curricula or like the two-year international baccalaureate (IB) diploma program. It can be extremely difficult for a child of high school age to attend classes taught exclusively in Catalan and Spanish while also in their most important years of secondary education. Many parents decide that their children will get the best out of their high school years if their courses are taught primarily in English. So, almost all expat families opt for private school for children in their high school years.
The most innovative and affordable option for the US curriculum is Barcelona High School (BHS), a new American school in Barcelona. The two, more traditional, private American schools in Barcelona (and also the two most expensive high schools) are The American School of Barcelona (ASB) and Benjamin Franklin International School (BFIS). There are more options when it comes to British Schools but you must be sure to pick the right one for your child.
Also, an important step in deciding which school is the best for your child is to actually speak with parents and children of the schools that you are considering so you can benefit from their experience and knowledge.
7. Finding the Perfect Home in Barcelona
How difficult is finding the perfect home in Barcelona? Finding your home in Barcelona is one of the most challenging but most important things you’ll do. Once you have determined what area you want to live in, you will need to find the right apartment. Using a Barcelona home finding expert who knows the best neighborhoods, the public transportation routes, local activity and things to do is essential in finding the right home for you in your chosen neighborhood. You can use websites like Idealista, Habitaclia and Fotocasa for your apartment search, but the listings can be problematic in that usually agencies don’t list the address of the apartment, often the descriptions and photos are not accurate and the lease terms are unclear. Also, be aware that most listings don’t allow pets.
How difficult is it to move to Barcelona with a pet? Moving to Barcelona with your dog or cat makes it extremely difficult to get approved for a lease on a rental. When searching listings you’ll notice once you filter for pets permitted, there are very few listings to choose from. Using a home finding expert with an established relationship with the agencies, like BCN Life, can get you approved for a lease even when pets are not initially permitted by landlords.
How difficult is the lease negotiation and landlord approval? Once you’ve found the perfect home in the perfect neighborhood for you, you need to negotiate your lease terms and get approved. The main thing that landlords are concerned with is whether you have a work contract in Spain. Additionally, how much do you make per month and how long your work contract is will factor in. When you don’t have a work contract, it is significantly more difficult to get a long-term lease in Barcelona, especially if you’re moving with a dog or cat.
For those looking to buy property in Barcelona, the process is even more complicated. There are several things to consider, but most importantly, don’t rush. Take the time to assess what you want to achieve by buying property in Barcelona. Most of my clients who have purchased real estate in Barcelona started off by leasing before deciding to engage BCN Life’s home buying services to make their life in Barcelona more permanent with the purchase of a home.
8. Obtaining a Bank Account and Getting Assistance with Utilities
How do you open a bank account in Barcelona? While you might expect this to be an easy task, opening a bank account is very difficult. Banks in Barcelona generally require customers to have a NIE before they will open an account for you. You should keep in mind that the quality of your bank experience is completely tied to the quality of the bank team at the particular bank branch. Questions to ask include: Does your representative speak English? Are they responsive when problems arise? An experienced relocation specialist can help you select and open a bank account in an expat friendly bank, even when you don’t have the correct documents or you need something urgent.
How difficult is it to get internet/cable/phone service? This is another task that you would think would be quite simple but is very difficult. Getting internet for your new home can be even more challenging than opening a bank account. You need to find a customer service agent that can help you in English, and whom you can contact if problems arise in the future. A good representative can help you get special offers and can coordinate installation for your new home very quickly. But, if you get the wrong representative, your experience can become extremely frustrating, and internet, cable or phone service could take weeks to install.
How difficult is it to set up utilities in your name? The challenge here is that almost none of the utility service providers for electricity, water and gas offer customer service in English. Moreover, the transferring of utilities and the stopping and starting of services is based on the timetable of the utility companies, not yours. So there needs to be a lot of communication between the prior tenant (or the current owner) and with the customer service representative in Catalan or Spanish. Even when you do speak Spanish, the process is often not a smooth one.
Step 9: Finding Happiness with Other Expats in Barcelona
Is there a Barcelona expat community? Although you are moving to Barcelona to live a new experience and blend with the locals, it is helpful to meet and connect with like-minded expats living in Barcelona. There are many British and American expats in Barcelona, in fact, English-speaking expats living here come from all over the world, from Dubai to South Africa, from India to Ireland and from Israel to Canada, and many other countries throughout Europe. Along with the desire to live their dream life in Barcelona, these expats all share a common language and a desire to connect and spend time with other expats with similar experiences.
What is the best way to integrate into Barcelona’s culture? While hanging out with other expats in Barcelona can be enjoyable it is important to integrate within the city’s culture and lifestyle to truly live the true BCN Life experience. This process can seem a bit daunting, especially when you don’t speak the language. You should consider learning some Spanish, or even Catalan, to be able to communicate better with the people in your adopted country. You will find that many people want to speak English with you, but when you can start to converse in Spanish, however awkwardly at first, you will develop a new love for living here. Sooner or later you’ll get the hang of colloquialisms and the customs, and you’ll feel like a true local.
10. Living in Barcelona Stress-free with Helpline Support
Where do you find Barcelona concierge services to help with the new and the unknown? Once you have finally moved to Barcelona and gotten settled in, you can start your new life. But, you will hit some bumps along the way. Don’t worry, it happens to everyone, but this is where using BCN Life, the Barcelona relocation services expert, can be a lifesaver. BCN Life will guide you through your relocation process from start to finish. It is comforting to know that, after the stress of moving to a new city in a new country, you have someone who can answer your questions and smooth the transition when you do hit those bumps. The relocation experts at BCN Life have your back and will give you the support you need to live your best life in Barcelona.
Originally from Los Angeles, wife and husband team, Lia Morse Mashaka (left) & Akida Mashaka (right) are co-founders of BCN Life and American expats living in Barcelona with their two children and dog.
Sponsored by BCN Life.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website does not and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information available on this site is for general informational purposes only. Laws are subject to change and do so regularly. While the Barcelona Metropolitan endeavors to ensure that the content is accurate and up-to-date, users should seek appropriate legal advice before taking or refraining from taking any action based on the content of the website or otherwise.
