Living in Barcelona as an expatriate: an essential guide to settling in successfully

Are you thinking about moving to Barcelona as an expatriate? In the Catalan capital, you can wake up to sea views, enjoy breakfast on a sunny terrace, work from a café in Eixample, and end the day with a glass of wine in El Born. Barcelona has something special that captivates those who come for a few months… and end up staying for years.

If you are planning to move to the Catalan capital, whether for work, studies, or simply to enjoy a better quality of life, this guide is for you. In this Lugaris post, you will find everything you need to know to settle in with ease.

Start a new chapter where the sea, culture, and the good life come together every day. Welcome to Barcelona.

Why Barcelona is one of the top destinations for expatriates

Today, many people choose to live in Barcelona as expatriates. Why? For all of these reasons:

• Mediterranean climate: Mild winters and long summers that invite you to enjoy terraces, beaches, and strolls all year round.
• Quality of life: Good healthcare, safety, green areas, and a continuous cultural offering.
• International atmosphere: More and more foreign professionals choose the city to work remotely, start businesses, or study, creating a diverse and open community.
• Excellent connections to Europe and the world: Its international airport and high-speed train network make getting around easy and efficient.
• A relaxed yet active lifestyle: Here, work-life balance is valued, with time to enjoy family, gastronomy, and leisure.

Cost of living and a realistic budget to settle in the city

Although it is not the cheapest city in Europe, Barcelona offers options for almost every budget. Here is an approximate breakdown of the cost of living in Barcelona to give you a clearer idea:

• Monthly rent: prices depend on the type of accommodation. For example, one room in a shared apartment: €500 to €800. A one-bedroom apartment: €950 to €1,400 in areas such as Poblenou or Eixample. A two-bedroom apartment: €1,400 to €2,000.
  
• Basic monthly expenses (electricity, water, gas, internet): €100 to €200.
• Public transport: monthly T usual pass (zones 1 to 2): €20 to €40.
• Groceries and food: around €200 to €300 per person per month.
• Leisure and dining out: set lunch menus for €12 to €15, casual dinners from €25.

Neighborhoods such as Poblenou, Gràcia, or Sant Antoni offer a strong neighborhood feel, a young and international atmosphere, and a very high quality of services. At Lugaris, we offer mid-term apartments in Barcelona by the sea, located in the Poblenou area, so you can truly feel at home.

Paperwork and documentation for a smooth move

One of the most important steps, and sometimes the most overwhelming, is getting your documentation in order. Here is everything essential you need to keep in mind:

• Foreigner Identification Number (NIE): This is required to sign rental contracts, open a bank account, register with social security, and more. You can apply from your home country at the Spanish consulate or directly in Barcelona.
• Local registration (empadronamiento): Once you have a residential address, you must register in the municipal census at the Ajuntament de Barcelona. This is a requirement to access healthcare services and other administrative procedures.
• Health insurance: If you are from the EU, the European Health Insurance Card provides temporary coverage. If you are from outside the EU or are self-employed, it is advisable to take out private health insurance while you regularize your situation.
• Spanish bank account: Although many people use online banks such as N26, Revolut, or Wise, having a Spanish bank account makes local payments and direct debits much easier.
• Visa or residence and work permit: Depending on your nationality and situation (e.g. student, remote worker, investor), you will need to apply for the appropriate visa. Barcelona frequently welcomes digital nomads and startups, and specific permits are available.

Healthcare, transport, and essential services for everyday life

Living in Barcelona as an expatriate is easier when you understand how daily life in the city works. Below is a practical guide to the most essential services.

Healthcare: public and private

Barcelona has an excellent public healthcare system, managed by CatSalut, the Catalan Health Service.

• If you have a NIE and are locally registered, you can access public healthcare free of charge.
• To do so, you will need to apply for the Individual Health Card at your local Primary Care Centre.
• There is also a wide network of private clinics and health insurance providers, such as Adeslas, Sanitas, or DKV, which are ideal if you do not yet have public coverage or prefer faster access to care.

Although public healthcare is of very high quality, many expatriates choose to combine both public and private systems.

Transport: efficient, safe, and well-connected

Getting around Barcelona is easy, even without a car. These are the most commonly used options:

• Metro: eight lines, operating from 5 a.m. to midnight, until 2 a.m. on Fridays and all night on Saturdays.
• Bus: extensive coverage, with daytime and night routes.
• Tram and commuter trains (Rodalies): connect the city with surrounding metropolitan areas.
• Bikes and scooters: bike lanes run throughout the city, and the public Bicing system is very popular.
• Taxis and ride-hailing apps: Uber, FreeNow, Bolt, and Cabify also operate in the city.

The most recommended transport passes are:

• T usual: unlimited travel for 30 days, €20 to €40 depending on zones.
• T casual: 10 journeys for €12.15 in zone 1.

International community and support networks for expatriates

One of the great advantages of living in Barcelona is that you will not be on your own. The city has a large and active expatriate community. Here is how you can integrate and find support.

Expatriate communities

There are many groups and associations where you can connect with people in a similar situation:

• Internations Barcelona: the best-known expatriate network, with weekly events.
• Meetup: language exchange groups, cultural activities, hiking, networking, and more.
• Facebook groups: such as “Expats in Barcelona”, “Barcelona New in Town”, “Barcelona for Digital Nomads”, or “Spanish Language Exchange”.

Language exchange and new friendships

Learning Spanish or Catalan is key to better integration. There are many free or affordable options:

• Language tandems in bars, libraries, or universities.
• Courses offered by the Consortium for Linguistic Normalization for Catalan.
• Private language schools with programs designed for foreigners.

Social life and wellbeing

Barcelona is ideal for an active lifestyle, from yoga on the beach to running groups in Parc de la Ciutadella. You will also find emotional support if you need it, including bilingual psychologists, coaches, bereavement groups, or cultural adaptation groups.

Tip: Do not hesitate to attend expatriate events during your first weeks. They are an excellent way to make friends, get your questions answered, and start feeling part of the city.

Practical tips to integrate and enjoy Barcelona from day one

Living in Barcelona as an expatriate can be an incredible adventure, especially if you know how to get off to a good start. Here are some practical tips to help you adapt faster, feel comfortable, and make the most of everything the city has to offer.

Register locally as soon as possible

One of the first steps after arriving is to register in the municipal census. This procedure is necessary to:

• Access the public healthcare system.
• Obtain your final NIE.
• Enroll your children in public schools.
• Access certain municipal services and support.

You can register at the Citizen Service Office in your district. You only need a rental contract or authorization from the property owner, along with your passport or NIE.

Activate your digital life in Barcelona

• Spanish phone number: having a local number makes everything easier, from opening a bank account to booking a medical appointment.
• Useful apps: TMB App for public transport, Too Good To Go for affordable food, Glovo, Just Eat, or Uber Eats for home delivery, Meetup and Internations for social life and networking, and the Ajuntament de Barcelona app for information and municipal procedures.

Learn at least the basics of the language

Although you can easily get by in English in Barcelona, learning Spanish or Catalan will open many more doors:

• You will handle paperwork, shops, and healthcare more confidently.
• You will connect with locals in a more natural way.
• You will feel more confident taking part in cultural or neighborhood activities.

There are many language schools, exchange programmes, and free classes offered by the city council.

Discover the city like a local, not a tourist

Make the neighborhoods, markets, rhythms, and hidden corners your own:

• Poblenou, Gràcia, or Sant Antoni are ideal for living as a resident, with a strong neighborhood feel and all essential services nearby.
• Visit municipal markets, such as La Boquería or Sant Antoni, to do your shopping and practice the language.
• Create a list of cafés, parks, and cultural centers where you feel comfortable and can build your own daily routine.

Get involved in the city

Barcelona is a city with a rich cultural life and strong community participation:

• Join local civic centers, there are hundreds across the city, and many offer free activities.
• Take part in festes majors, neighborhood festivals, food events, or local fairs.
• Ask about volunteering opportunities, cultural associations, or sports groups.

This will give you a real support network and help you feel part of the urban fabric beyond expatriate circles.

Be patient and keep an open mindset

Adapting to a new culture takes time. In Barcelona, things generally work well, but not always at the speed or efficiency you might expect:

• Do not get discouraged by administrative procedures; many can be done online or require an appointment.
• Use waiting times to observe, understand, and connect with local life.
• Enjoy small Mediterranean pleasures, a sunny vermouth, a chat at the bakery, and a walk by the sea.

Barcelona is not living against the clock. It is meant to be savored.

Where to live in Barcelona: ideal apartments for expatriates

Finding comfortable, well-located accommodation is key to starting your new life in Barcelona on the right foot. The city offers many options, but if you are looking for a combination of comfort, privacy, quality services, and a strategic location, Lugaris apartments are one of the best choices.

Located on Rambla del Poblenou, one of the calmest, safest, and most vibrant neighborhoods in Barcelona, the long-stay apartments at Lugaris Stay allow you to live right by the beach, just minutes from the city center, and with excellent public transport connections.

Poblenou is an ideal neighborhood for expatriates thanks to its relaxed atmosphere, modern cafés, and proximity to technology hubs, international schools, and medical centers.

At Lugaris, we offer beachside apartments in Barcelona with one double bedroom, as well as apartments with two double bedrooms. They are fully equipped, so you don’t have to worry about a thing:

• Fully equipped kitchen with appliances
• High-speed WiFi
• Spacious and bright interiors
• Personalized, multilingual service
• 24-hour security and additional services on request

As a flexible solution for longer stays, our apartments in Barcelona allow you to settle in without committing to a traditional long-term rental contract, with the convenience of coming and going as you need.

They are also an excellent option if you are in the process of looking for your permanent home in the city. You can live comfortably while exploring neighborhoods at your own pace and deciding where you want to stay in the long term.

Living in Barcelona as an expatriate is an experience worth having. And if you want to feel at home from day one, book your apartment with Lugaris and start your adventure with every comfort on your side.