As one of Europe’s largest cities, Barcelona has a fantastic security infrastructure aimed at keeping tourists and visitors safe while in the city. Nonetheless, like any big city, Barcelona suffers from high levels of petty crime and tourists are usually the main targets. With the ongoing COVID-19 crisis across the country exacerbating economic inequalities, non-violent crimes such as theft and scamming have increased significantly across Barcelona. These facts should not discourage anyone from visiting Barcelona, however. The city is generally very welcoming and, if you follow some basic tips, you can see for yourself just how safe Barcelona is for remote workers.
Without a doubt, the most common form of crime Remote Workers are likely to encounter in Barcelona will be pick-pocketing. This is extremely common particularly in tourist hotspots around the city but can occur pretty much anywhere in Barcelona. Public transport stops and stations are notorious for leaving tourists and visitors to pickpockets - you should ensure that your belongings are not easily visible from afar, and you should certainly only carry as much cash as is essential. If you have to use the Metro or buses during peak hours, it is recommended you place your backpack on your front and keep an eye always on the rest of your belongings. While visiting the beach you will also want to be alert and vigilant about your belongings as theft of valuable items tends to occur here.
Despite the fact Barcelona is safe for remote workers, bag-snatching is common in the city and those carrying around their laptops will want to be particularly vigilant about this type of theft. It is always a good idea to have a backpack that is secure and fits well, as this makes it harder for criminals to snatch it away. In general, it is always a good idea to avoid crowded places if you are carrying valuable belonging with you. When walking in more touristic parts of the city, Remote Workers should not fall victim to distractions that may be aimed at disorienting you in order to more easily snatch your belongings. Additionally, scams are common across the city - visitors should be particularly aware of scams where an individual gets your attention by saying you have bird poo on your shirt, only to then steal your belongings!
As with any large city, Remote Workers will also want to avoid particularly dangerous parts of the city if possible, and particularly at night. It is recommended to be extra careful around the streets off the northwestern part of Las Ramblas as well as Barri Xines and the southernmost part of Las Ramblas. In general, visitors should try to avoid walking alone at night in isolated areas and use taxis whenever possible if very late. If you are out enjoying the city’s nightlife, it is a good idea to make a plan for getting home in advance.
Despite the common and frequent petty crimes experienced by visitors in the city, it remains that Barcelona is safe for remote workers. Violent crime here is very rare and tourists are usually very well-treated and respected around the city. While the local police may not have great English, they are usually ready to help and it is recommended you visit the city’s main police station at Nou de La Rambla if you are the victim of a non-violent crime. As long as you exercise good judgment in terms of navigating the city and secure yourself with a good health and travel insurance policy, you can count on your time in Barcelona to be pleasant and without complications.
For more information about living in Barcelona as a remote worker, check out our complete Barcelona guide.