An American in Barcelona: living the life
Going from fascinated tourist to proud local if you are moving to Barcelona from the USA: the dos, the don’ts and everything in between.
No ninis allowed
A nini in Spanish or Catalan is someone who isn't a student (ni estudia) nor an employee (ni trabaja). Unless you stay for less than three months as a tourist, that is something you can’t do: the documentation for American ex-pats in Barcelona needs to justify you are here, working or with a student visa.
To relocate to Barcelona from the USA, you can get your visa either by finding a job in a local company –willing to go through all the hustle of bureaucracy– or by coming here as an employee of an American company. You will find all the info you need to reside in Barcelona long-term as an American on the Ministerio de Exteriores website.
To relocate to Barcelona from the USA, you can get your visa either by finding a job in a local company –willing to go through all the hustle of bureaucracy– or by coming here as an employee of an American company. You will find all the info you need to reside in Barcelona long-term as an American on the Ministerio de Exteriores website.
Find your place
After you’ve sorted out the boring papers, you can start looking for and finding your perfect home in Barcelona. The average cost of living in the city, including rent, is about 1600€, so you must adapt your budget with that number in mind. Luckily enough, this is a city full of possibilities, from sharing a room in a spacious apartment in Eixample or Gràcia, to renting a flat with all the amenities in lively Born or quiet Sarrià. If the sea is what makes you tick, you have Barceloneta, the old fishermen's neighbourhood or Poblenou, where new buildings and lofts in old factories are equally attractive.
Once you have found a place to live, you need to register as an inhabitant of the city in the Ajuntament (City Council). This step will enable you to access all the city services, go to the doctor (which is public, universal and free here) and comply with your obligations as a Barcelona citizen.
Find your home in Barcelona
Once you have found a place to live, you need to register as an inhabitant of the city in the Ajuntament (City Council). This step will enable you to access all the city services, go to the doctor (which is public, universal and free here) and comply with your obligations as a Barcelona citizen.
The fun part
As an American ex-pat living in Barcelona, you can be part of a thriving community in the city. If you haven’t a knack for languages, don’t worry. You will still be able to attend stand-up comedy acts, go to the theatre and do different activities in English. Many bookshops, like Finestres, Laie, Come in, or La Central and kiosks sell books and press in English, and you can easily catch a film in Cinemes Verdi, Phenomena or Renoir Cines.
The app Meet up is also a great way to start meeting people with shared interests, and you can never go wrong by joining a Spanish or Catalan class so you can finally start a conversation with a local at any given moment. Talking to people who have been born and have lived here all their lives is what will make the experience unique for you.
Benvinguts a casa nostra! (Now you only need to learn Catalan to get it 😜)
Find your place
The app Meet up is also a great way to start meeting people with shared interests, and you can never go wrong by joining a Spanish or Catalan class so you can finally start a conversation with a local at any given moment. Talking to people who have been born and have lived here all their lives is what will make the experience unique for you.
Benvinguts a casa nostra! (Now you only need to learn Catalan to get it 😜)
Going from fascinated tourist to proud local if you are moving to Barcelona from the USA: the dos, the don’ts and everything in between.
No ninis allowed
A nini in Spanish or Catalan is someone who isn't a student (ni estudia) nor an employee (ni trabaja). Unless you stay for less than three months as a tourist, that is something you can’t do: the documentation for American ex-pats in Barcelona needs to justify you are here, working or with a student visa.
To relocate to Barcelona from the USA, you can get your visa either by finding a job in a local company –willing to go through all the hustle of bureaucracy– or by coming here as an employee of an American company. You will find all the info you need to reside in Barcelona long-term as an American on the Ministerio de Exteriores website.
To relocate to Barcelona from the USA, you can get your visa either by finding a job in a local company –willing to go through all the hustle of bureaucracy– or by coming here as an employee of an American company. You will find all the info you need to reside in Barcelona long-term as an American on the Ministerio de Exteriores website.
Find your place
After you’ve sorted out the boring papers, you can start looking for and finding your perfect home in Barcelona. The average cost of living in the city, including rent, is about 1600€, so you must adapt your budget with that number in mind. Luckily enough, this is a city full of possibilities, from sharing a room in a spacious apartment in Eixample or Gràcia, to renting a flat with all the amenities in lively Born or quiet Sarrià. If the sea is what makes you tick, you have Barceloneta, the old fishermen's neighbourhood or Poblenou, where new buildings and lofts in old factories are equally attractive.
Once you have found a place to live, you need to register as an inhabitant of the city in the Ajuntament (City Council). This step will enable you to access all the city services, go to the doctor (which is public, universal and free here) and comply with your obligations as a Barcelona citizen.
Find your home in Barcelona
Once you have found a place to live, you need to register as an inhabitant of the city in the Ajuntament (City Council). This step will enable you to access all the city services, go to the doctor (which is public, universal and free here) and comply with your obligations as a Barcelona citizen.
The fun part
As an American ex-pat living in Barcelona, you can be part of a thriving community in the city. If you haven’t a knack for languages, don’t worry. You will still be able to attend stand-up comedy acts, go to the theatre and do different activities in English. Many bookshops, like Finestres, Laie, Come in, or La Central and kiosks sell books and press in English, and you can easily catch a film in Cinemes Verdi, Phenomena or Renoir Cines.
The app Meet up is also a great way to start meeting people with shared interests, and you can never go wrong by joining a Spanish or Catalan class so you can finally start a conversation with a local at any given moment. Talking to people who have been born and have lived here all their lives is what will make the experience unique for you.
Benvinguts a casa nostra! (Now you only need to learn Catalan to get it 😜)
Find your place
The app Meet up is also a great way to start meeting people with shared interests, and you can never go wrong by joining a Spanish or Catalan class so you can finally start a conversation with a local at any given moment. Talking to people who have been born and have lived here all their lives is what will make the experience unique for you.
Benvinguts a casa nostra! (Now you only need to learn Catalan to get it 😜)
