As one of Europe’s foremost tourist destinations and biggest cities in Spain, there are simply so many things to do here that you won't want to miss our best tips for remote workers in Barcelona. Besides embracing the local language and customs, our most important tip for remote workers in Barcelona is to be patient and thorough when it comes to dealing with official matters - going through an immigration process or renting an apartment requires a clear mind. Below, we outline some of our most important tips for remote workers in Barcelona.
Learning Spanish is certainly one of the most useful tips for remote workers in Barcelona. While English here is common, you will get much further with at least some basic Spanish. Having at least some handle on it will allow you to make local friends, navigate the local transport networks and help you in the apartment search and immigration processes. While Spanish may be the language of business and the one spoken by more than 98% of the population, you may also want to delve into the Catalan language which is spoken by about 60% of Barcelona as a second language. Catalan will give you an unparalleled insight into the city’s culture and traditions, and will also be super useful if you travel to Valencia or any of the Balearic Islands.
Life in Barcelona is certainly peculiar. You should arrive in the city with some expectations of what local customs will be like. Firstly, expect things here to go a little slower - long immigration processes, complicated rental contracts and daily siesta hours are a common occurrence in Barcelona. You should also leave any and all notions of visiting a big supermarket at home! Barcelona is home to some incredible local markets, offering the best of local fresh goods and giving you an insight into a more authentic side to the city. Beyond the wineries and tapas bars, take sometime also to learn about Catalonia’s unique history and learn at least some of the local language to fit in your local community more easily.
This may seem obvious but it is definitely one of the most important tips for remote workers in Barcelona. Barcelona is diverse in terms of its neighborhoods and you would be mistaken to think that the famous areas of El Born and Eixample provide a complete experience of the city. Other neighborhoods towards the coast and away from the center of the city may well offer a more authentic perspective on the city as a whole.
When it comes to renting an apartment, you will also want to choose wisely. If you use an agency, be prepared to pay lots of fees for the security of property management; and if you rent directly from a landlord, it is advisable to create a contract with all the terms of rental. Utilities in Europe can be expensive, so you will also want to make sure you know the cost of these in advance.
An attractive aspect of life in Barcelona is certainly the fact it is an international city, with great cultural and professional links to the rest of Europe and the world. An established expat community exist here, and more and more remote workers have chosen Barcelona as a long-term destination. As such, an important tip for remote workers in Barcelona will be to join one of the many online and in-person international communities available across the city. This will help you feel part of the city, and make it much easier to find local friends.
For more information about living in Barcelona as a remote worker, check out our complete Barcelona guide.