💻 Barcelona for digital nomads: a complete guide

Have you ever dreamed or thought about combining travel and work? Does it seem impossible? But in 2023, digital nomads can be found all over the world. Such a life is about working from anywhere in the world, getting to know another culture and… freedom.

Digital nomads are not tied to one place – they have the whole world at their disposal. There are even countries that create special visas for nomads, another name for digital nomads! We explored what Barcelona has to offer.

Why she?

Among the advantages is, by European standards, the affordability of life. Spain is one of the sunniest places in Europe. Here the sun shines more than 3000 hours a year. Pleasant climate, delicious food, friendly locals and many attractions. One of the best cities in Spain for nomads, where you won’t want to leave, is Barcelona.

Life in Barcelona

Warm climate , Mediterranean cuisine, developed infrastructure, equipped beaches, a lot of greenery, restaurants, coffee shops and co-working spaces – all this attracts not only nomads, but also millions of tourists. National Geographic, by the way, recognized Barcelona as the “Best Beach City”. To live here, about 3000 € per month is enough.

Public transport

The transport system includes metro, buses, trams, cable cars, sea and rail transport, a large taxi fleet and well-established air services.

The price for travel on the metro is 2.40 € for a one-time ticket. It is most profitable to purchase travel tickets. When purchasing any pass in the TMB App,  receive a 10% discount.

The received voucher (receipt) after payment must be exchanged for a travel card in the machine. There are ticket machines at Sagrada Família, Diagonal, Sants Estació and Universitat metro stations. Metro trains run at intervals of two to five minutes.

As for buses, you can easily find them. Signs are even painted on the asphalt. With their help you can get to almost any point in the city. And on this site you can even plan your routes.

Housing

In Barcelona, ​​housing can be found to suit any budget, just like anywhere else. But for greater benefits, it is better to take care of this in advance. And yes, during the holiday season prices will be higher than usual.

To rent a room for a month will cost about 650 €. And apartments on average cost from 1500 €. Of course, you can find it cheaper. 

However, you need to take into account factors such as the season, the area in which the apartment is located, the number of rooms and the year the building was built. In new residential complexes, where there is a gym and a swimming pool, rent will be more expensive than apartments on the outskirts of the city with simple renovations.

In any case, we recommend using systems like Airbnb or booking. It is also worth trying to negotiate with the owner about an additional discount for a long rental period. Find more tips on choosing long-term housing here.

Nutrition

The cost of meals in establishments depends on the location. In tourist areas, prices are naturally higher. If you walk around a little and search, the check will be 10-20% less. Lunch in a budget restaurant will cost about 25 €, and breakfast is even cheaper – about 10 € or less.

In Barcelona, ​​it is profitable to buy fresh seafood in stores and cook it yourself. For example , shrimp can be bought for 12 €/kg. Vegetables and fruits are also quite inexpensive – less than one euro.

Siesta

Due to the summer heat, siesta in Spain begins at 14:00 and lasts about three hours. Many stores, churches, restaurants and public places are closed during this time. Consider this nuance before going out into the city.

Safety

The level of security in Barcelona is quite high. But still, do not forget the basic precautions and be aware of pickpockets. They operate more often in places with large concentrations of tourists.

Unfortunately, theft is the most common crime here. And so the friendly and responsive police are always there to protect order.

Internet and communications

There are no problems with the Internet and communication in Barcelona. Almost all bars, restaurants, cafes offer free Wi-Fi. The password can be found on the receipt or asked from the waiter. In libraries you can also access Wi-Fi, but you will have to provide a passport.

There are several mobile operators in Barcelona: Lebara, Orange, Movistar, Vodafone and Yoigo. Every month they will write off an average of 6-15 euros.

Legalization

Citizens of countries outside the Schengen area will require a visa. A visa can be obtained from a Spanish consulate or embassy. Alternatively, you can enter the country on a tourist visa, and then apply to the Ministry of Integration, Social Protection and Migration to obtain a work visa. The application review period is about a month.

List of documents for submission:

• Certificate of no criminal record.
• IP agreement or certificate. The contract must state that the work is remote.
• Account statement. Your income must be from 2520 € per month.
• Certificate confirming that the income is taxable
• Diploma of Higher Education.
• Insurance.
• Other documents may be required, depending on your case.