{"id":80020,"date":"2020-09-24T12:40:28","date_gmt":"2020-09-24T12:40:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/staging.expatinfodesk.com\/?page_id=80020"},"modified":"2024-03-06T11:19:20","modified_gmt":"2024-03-06T11:19:20","slug":"barcelona","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.expatinfodesk.com\/destinations\/barcelona\/","title":{"rendered":"Barcelona"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row type=&#8221;container&#8221; padding_top=&#8221;&#8221; padding_bottom=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;three-top-tips&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1599875304748{margin-left: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;border-right-color: #ffffff !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<div class=\"page-header\" style=\"margin-top: 0px;\">\n<div class=\"page-header\">\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">A Bastion of Spanish Tradition and Culture<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p>Barcelona is an intoxicating city that epitomizes the heart of Catalu\u00f1a. Effervescent and seemingly always bathed in sunlight, it is a place that exemplifies a culture, way of living, and tradition that sets it apart from the rest of Spain. The city itself is a visual feast that combines modern sophistication with provincial charm. Old and new exist seamlessly side-by-side and those that explore this unique area will find colorful and flamboyant modernism-style architecture sandwiched between medieval romance and Gothic treasures.<\/p>\n<p>Very few European cities can compete with the cultural experiences on offer in Barcelona. The city celebrates its remarkable artistic legacy at every turn and expatriates living here can while away hours visiting the numerous galleries, museums and exhibitions that are devoted to the likes of Joan Mir\u00f3, Antoni T\u00e0pies and Pablo Picasso museum. Couple this with the luxury of Barcelona\u2019s 4.2 km beach and the Parc de la Ciutadella and you are presented with<\/p>\n<p>Those who prefer a faster pace of life will be enamored with the amazing nightlife on offer. From the decidedly-Spanish, yet undeniably delicious Spanish cuisine on offer in the many restaurants and taverns, to the numerous bars, cafes and clubs, there is always something to do and a new experience to enjoy.<\/p>\n<p>The locals are accustomed to visitors and expatriates from abroad and the majority of them are welcoming and friendly. However, it is important to note that the language of the region is Catalan, not Spanish and unless you speak a little of this language you may find it extremely difficult to communicate. The major tourist areas (hotels, attractions, etc.) will have English-speakers, as will some banks and other services, but English is not as wide-spread as that you will find in other European capital cities and you will need to familiarize yourself with the basics.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>What\u2019s the draw?<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>A thriving city that offers sun-soaked beaches, great nightlife, cuisine and legendary art.<\/li>\n<li>A sophisticated, cultured city that is unique in character and outlook.<\/li>\n<li>Great year-round weather and plenty of sunshine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Live there:<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expatinfodesk.com\/\">Expat Info Desk<\/a> recognizes that relocating to Barcelona can be like falling down a Gaudi-designed rabbit hole. In this area of the world, you need two things to settle ineffectively: patience and knowledge. We can\u2019t help you with being patient but we can offer all of the knowledge you will need.<\/p>\n<p>This\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20200918202517\/https:\/\/www.expatinfodesk.com\/guide-content\/\">relocation guide<\/a> is the result of hard-won personal experience in dealing with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.expatinfodesk.com\/destinations\/barcelona\/visas\/\">visas<\/a> and residency, apartment-hunting, car buying, schools, language barriers and more mundane but necessary activities like grocery shopping and getting around. In other words, it is the helping hand that everybody needs when moving overseas. Enjoy Barcelona with us, and the incredible surrounding areas that make up Catalunya &#8211; arguably the most beautiful region of Spain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243; el_class=&#8221;city-side-bar&#8221;][vc_row_inner el_class=&#8221;sidebar-section-one&#8221;][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Top Tips&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h4|font_size:24|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff&#8221; google_fonts=&#8221;font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal&#8221;][vc_separator color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; thickness=&#8221;1&#8243; up=&#8221;&#8221; down=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<table class=\"table table-condensed sidebar-section-one-table\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"number\">01<\/td>\n<td>Get a bank account: This will be the first thing most utility providers, telecom connectors and employers will require.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"number\">02<\/td>\n<td>Get your NIE: This is a \u00b4foreigners number\u00b4 and will probably be the second thing that utility providers will request.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"number\">03<\/td>\n<td>The government offers free Catalan lessons to foreigners, in order to promote this rare and unusual language, so take advantage of it.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"number\">04<\/td>\n<td>Agents in Spain can ask for up to nine months worth of rent as a deposit, ensure you have sufficient funds to pay this.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"number\">05<\/td>\n<td>Spain is notoriously bureaucratic, allow between three and ten times as much time as you normally would for administration tasks.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner el_class=&#8221;sidebar-section-two&#8221;][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Useful links&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h4|font_size:24|text_align:left&#8221; google_fonts=&#8221;font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal&#8221; el_class=&#8221;useful-links&#8221;][vc_separator color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; thickness=&#8221;1&#8243; up=&#8221;&#8221; down=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;useful-links&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a title=\"http:\/\/www.mumabroad.com\" href=\"http:\/\/www.mumabroad.com\/\">http:\/\/www.mumabroad.com<\/a><br \/>\nUseful help and advice for expat families living in Barcelona.<\/li>\n<li><a title=\"http:\/\/www.senderisme.com\" href=\"http:\/\/www.senderisme.com\/\">http:\/\/www.senderisme.com<\/a><br \/>\nHiking website showing popular hikes and treks throughout the region.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner el_class=&#8221;sidebar-section-three&#8221;][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Interesting fact&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h4|font_size:24|text_align:left|color:%23333333&#8243; google_fonts=&#8221;font_family:Open%20Sans%3A300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal&#8221;][vc_separator color=&#8221;#eeeeee&#8221; type=&#8221;full_width&#8221; thickness=&#8221;1&#8243; up=&#8221;&#8221; down=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<table class=\"table table-condensed sidebar-section-three-table\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div class=\"fa fa-snowflake-o\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<td>Barcelona\u2019s most popular tourist attraction, FC Barcelona Stadium, is also the biggest stadium in the world, with a capacity for 100,000 people.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=&#8221;container&#8221; padding_top=&#8221;&#8221; padding_bottom=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row type=&#8221;container&#8221; padding_top=&#8221;&#8221; padding_bottom=&#8221;&#8221; el_class=&#8221;three-top-tips&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1599875304748{margin-left: 0px !important;border-right-width: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;border-right-color: #ffffff !important;}&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text] A Bastion of Spanish Tradition and Culture Barcelona is an intoxicating city that epitomizes the heart of Catalu\u00f1a. Effervescent and seemingly always bathed in sunlight, it is a place that exemplifies a culture, way of living, and tradition [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":77023,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-barcelona.php","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-80020","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Barcelona Relocation Guide for Expat | Expat Info Desk<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Barcelona is an intoxicating city that epitomizes the heart of Catalu\u00f1a. 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