Are you an expat looking for work in Barcelona? Spain's second-largest city is Catalonia's administrative and economic center and a popular tourist draw. With its world-class attractions, proximity to the sea, delightful climate, and rich cultural heritage, it's no surprise that Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Europe. As a result, it is a highly sought-after destination for job seekers worldwide.
Barcelona has become a hotbed of innovation in recent years, especially in technology, finance, and research and development. The region hosts several top-ranked universities and research institutions and is home to a large and thriving community of researchers and scientists. Additionally, the area hosts an array of international organizations and companies, making it an ideal place for those seeking work in the global economy.
As an expat in Barcelona, you'll likely find a dynamic and exciting work environment with plenty of opportunities for personal growth and career development. Whether you're looking for work in a traditional office setting or seeking a more innovative and flexible work arrangement, Barcelona offers diverse options to suit your needs.
Barcelona's economy
Barcelona is Catalonia's most developed city, home to the country's largest port and one of Spain's major economic centers. Its industrial sectors include electronics, shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, chemicals, appliance manufacturing and tourism. The most important sector is services, which accounts for approximately 90% of the city's economy.
The Catalan capital is also consolidating its role as a magnet for R&D investment. It has been chosen as one of seven AI (artificial intelligence) factory locations in the European Union, which will provide resources and R&D services to start-ups, scientists, companies and SMEs.
Additionally, the Strategic Plan for Science and Innovation 2024-2027 aims to make the city one of the European capitals of science and innovation
The labor market in Barcelona
The labor market in Barcelona is diverse and dynamic, driven by industries such as tourism, technology and creative services. As a hub for startups and international companies, it offers opportunities for professionals across a variety of sectors, especially specialist roles and those demanding advanced qualifications. Competition for jobs can be high, so knowledge of Catalan or Spanish is often advantageous.
Get the appropriate visa or permit to work in Barcelona
Make sure you are eligible to work in the city. If you are from an EU or EEA country, you have the automatic right to live and work anywhere in Spain. You will not have to apply for a special visa or permit. However, if you are from outside the EU/EEA, you will probably need a permit to work in Barcelona. Before you can apply for one, your prospective employer has to start the application process. Citizens of non-EU/EEA countries can only land a job in the city if the job is in shortage occupation or the company hasn't been able to find a suitable candidate from Spain or another European country.
How to find a job in Barcelona
Finding a job in this bustling city can be challenging, especially if you're unfamiliar with the local job market or language. That said, there are things you can do to improve your chances of landing the right job for you. Whether you're a recent graduate, a seasoned professional or a digital nomad in Spain, the following tips will help you find the right job in Barcelona:
Job websites and recruitment agencies
Search for job opportunities online. When it comes to job hunting, the internet will lead you to a deep pool of resources, including job websites like Indeed and Monster and local recruitment agencies. Here is a small selection of agencies to get you started:
- Xpat Jobs - for English-speaking professional jobs
- ThinkSpain - a helpful resource that lets you filter jobs based on whether you want a role where you primarily speak Spanish or English.
- InfoJobs -a job portal and career network. You can search for roles and upload your CV so that employers can find you.
Classified ads and spontaneous job applications
Other places to look include the classified ads section of local newspapers.
There's also nothing stopping you from cold calling once you are in Barcelona. Identify companies you want to work for and ask if there are any openings. You could also submit your CV to Human Resources departments and follow up a few days later with a phone call.
Consider the types of job opportunities available to you. If you're interested in working for a big company, top international firms such as Amazon, Bayer and Unilever have operations in Barcelona. If you're a native English speaker and qualified to teach, you'll discover there's always a demand for English teachers in Barcelona. If you're a health, science or information technology professional, now is an excellent time to look for work in the city as more opportunities in these fields are opening up.
Another popular sector that continually creates positions is tourism. It accounts for around 15% of jobs in the city.
Networking
Many jobs in Barcelona are filled through word of mouth. Sometimes, they're never even advertised. Therefore, making contacts is one of the most important things you can do when looking for a job in Barcelona. Start building your network online with professional websites such as LinkedIn. Once you are in the city, join business network groups and visit websites such as Meetup that focus on bringing like-minded people together. The more you can put yourself out there, the more opportunities you may be able to create for yourself.
CV in Barcelona
Prepare your CV. This is one of the most important steps to take when looking for a new job in Barcelona. Make sure your CV is up to date, easy to read and error-free. If you're applying for an English-speaking job, it is acceptable to submit your CV in English. However, for other jobs, a Spanish CV is expected. If you don't know how to prepare one, consider hiring a CV consultant.
Job Interview in Barcelona
Be prepared for your job interview. Nowadays, even though the COVID pandemic is a memory, some interviews are conducted online through videoconferencing websites such as Zoom. This presents an array of challenges if you've never been interviewed in this way before. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for a remote interview:
- Dress formally, as you would for an in-person interview.
- Find a quiet place in your home to set up your laptop and video camera. Make sure it is clean and uncluttered. You could opt for a professional-looking online background.
- Familiarise yourself with the videoconferencing platform before the interview.
- Ensure your computer has a fully charged battery or plug it into a power socket to make sure it doesn't cut out during the interview.
- When speaking, look directly into the camera. It gives the impression that you are making eye contact with the interviewer.
- Make sure your mobile is turned off or in silent mode.
- Advise other people in your household of the time of the interview so they can keep noise levels down.
- When the interviewer is speaking, use your mute button. This will cut out any extraneous noise from your home that may interrupt them.
If you have an in-person interview in Barcelona, the following tips will stand you in good stead:
- Shake hands with the interviewer.
- If the interviewer asks questions in English, reply in Spanish to demonstrate your proficiency and comfort level with the language.
- Be punctual.
- Conduct thorough research of the company because your interviewer may ask you questions about its history, operations and plans.
- Don't ramble during the interview. Ensure your answers are concise.
- Prepare some questions in advance to ask at the end of the interview. These can be related to the company, its operations and the experience of being an employee of the firm. That being said, don't ask questions such as "How long is the lunch break?" Asking informed and intelligent questions demonstrates you have done your research and are interested in the company.
Important:
The Spanish have a reputation for being relaxed about punctuality. However, if you have a job interview or work meeting, you will be expected to turn up on time.
Applying for a job in Barcelona
When you apply for a job in Barcelona, as elsewhere in Spain, you may be asked to provide the following information:
- A criminal record certificate from your home country and one from Spain (certificado de antecedentes penales).
- A certificate from the Spanish sex offenders registry (certificado de delitos de naturaleza sexual) if you plan to work in a job where there is contact with children.
Preparing your CV in Barcelona
If you are compiling a Spanish CV and cover letter in Spanish, it must be in perfect Spanish. It is unlikely an employer will look at your CV favorably if it is poorly written. If you are not confident of your language ability, hire a native Spanish speaker to check what you've written.
When preparing your CV, you should include such personal details as your name, date and place of birth, current address and NIE (foreigner identity number).
You may also want to include a photo. Although not compulsory, it's expected nowadays. Choose a professional-looking headshot with a neutral background.
Good to know:
Some employers/prospective employers may check your social media accounts to try and get a handle on what you're like. If you don't want them to see anything, make sure you have your privacy settings in place.
The work culture in Barcelona
The typical work culture in Barcelona values relationships, collaboration and work-life balance. Additionally, networking and building strong relationships with colleagues and clients are highly valued. Expats can expect to experience a friendly social work environment, with plenty of opportunities to attend business events and after-work gatherings. Overall, the work culture in Barcelona is a perfect blend of hard work and a relaxed lifestyle.
Living in Barcelona post-Brexit
Brexit has changed a lot of things for UK citizens, including the chance to move to Spain. You can still live and work in the country following the UK's departure from the European Union. However, the rules are a lot tighter.
When the UK was part of the EU, UK citizens benefited from the freedom of movement, which meant they could live and work in Spain without needing a visa or special permit. Since Brexit, UK citizens are classed as third-country nationals who are in the same situation as people from other non-EU countries.
Therefore, the only way to land a job is if it is on Spain's shortage occupation list. This is a continually updated inventory of jobs in short supply in Spain. If you do find a position and an employer wants to hire you, they must demonstrate that a Spanish or EU candidate couldn't fill the post.
Note that if you're a UK citizen who was a legal resident in Spain before 2021, you have an automatic right to work in the country provided you remain legally resident.
Salaries in Barcelona
Of course, you'll want to know how much you can earn in the city. The average annual salary of a person working in Barcelona is 33, 837 euros, according to the Municipal Data Office of Barcelona City Council.
Here are some of the average salaries per profession in Catalonia:
- Scientific and intellectual professionals: 43,311.59 euros per year (men), 36,889.88 euros per year (women);
- Catering workers - 25,088.32 euros per year (men), 17,405.90 euros per year (women);
- Technicians/support professionals – 36,717.12 euros per year (men), 29,783.55 euros per year (women);
- Office/accounting/administration employees – 29,702.57 euros per year (men), 24,170.47 euros per year (women).
You will also need to know whether your salary will allow you to live comfortably in the city. According to the Area Metropolitana de Barcelona (AMB), a person needs at least 1,516.73 euros a month to make ends meet in Barcelona.
Working as a freelancer in Barcelona
For EU/EEA nationals, the process of becoming a freelancer and starting your own business in Barcelona is relatively straightforward. It involves applying for your NIE and registering with the social security system and tax service. For non-EU nationals who want to be their own boss, the process is a little more complicated and involves securing a work visa. Among the most important requirements are:
- Details of how you plan to finance your new business. You may also have to present a business plan
- Evidence you have the skills to carry out the work of your company
- Proof of contracts or commissions
- Evidence of sufficient funds to support the business
- Details of expected returns
- An estimate of the number of jobs you plan to create, if applicable
Another option is to become a remote worker in Barcelona, such as a writer, translator, illustrator, social media manager, accountant or tutor. With the internet and modern communications technologies, working remotely has never been easier. If you select this option, you have to register as an 'autonomo,' which is Spanish for a freelancer or self-employed person.
Good to know:
Spain's digital nomad visa allows individuals to work remotely in the country for up to one year. This visa aims to attract highly skilled professionals and entrepreneurs worldwide to work in Spain while enjoying its beautiful scenery, culture and lifestyle.
Useful links:
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