Relocating to Barcelona: Mentor Talent Guide
Barcelona is a city in Spain and is the capital and largest city of Catalonia, one of the autonomous communities in Spain. Barcelona is one of the world’s leading tourist, economic, fair trade and cultural centres. It also has a big influence in commerce, education, science, tech and the arts.
If you are reading this, we assume that you are thinking of or have received an offer of employment in Barcelona. First of all, congratulations. This guide is intended to give you a run-down of all you need to know about relocating to Barcelona.
Getting Started:
Before relocating to Barcelona, there are a number of things that you will want to consider:
1. Accommodation
2. Bank Account
3. Tax Number
4. Salary and Taxation Guide for the area
5. Cost of Living
6. Visas
7. Other – Overview of the city, healthcare, transport, weather and useful websites.
Accommodation
Finding accommodation in Barcelona is competitive so it is important to start searching as soon as possible.
An option for those unsure of searching for property on their own, or want to streamline the experience can visit www.spotahome.com and they will provide you with the help you need looking for a new place to call home. Just visit the website and input your search, you can then take one of their virtual tours and see what the place is like and check out the landlord policies.
When you make a reservation on a property, that property stays blocked until the landlord responds to your request (up to 24 hours). Once the landlord accepts, your payment method will automatically be charged. This is where you pay the first payment of the property as well as a small fee for the websites expenses.
They will then put you in direct contact with your landlord via email, so you can arrange a time to collect keys, move in time, and transfer any documents that have been requested by the landlord.
For more information visit their website.
Useful Links:
http://papayapods.com/search/grid?city=Barcelona
Rental Prices:
As of 2018 please see the rental prices of an apartment in Barcelona.
Average cost of 1 Bed apartment in Barcelona city centre – €893.76
Average cost of 3 Bed apartment in Barcelona city centre – €1,457.79
Rooms for rent around Barcelona can vary – €350-650
Sources: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Barcelona
Supporting Documents:
It is likely that upon looking for accommodation to rent you will be asked for the following documents, so be sure to have them available when you begin your search to avoid any delays. When you are looking for accommodation, it is recommended that you have the following:
· Copies of Photo ID, Permits and Visas
· A bank statement
· Proof of employment – Usually your contract
· A letter of reference from your previous landlord
Fees, Keys and Deposits
In Barcelona, you should make a reservation on a property to take it off the market. Once this is done, the typical amount you would pay as a deposit is the equivalent of 1 months’ rent. Any more than this should raise suspicions. You should then arrange a suitable time and place with your landlord to pick up the keys and move in.
Utilities:
Make sure you are clear which (if any) utilities are included in the property. The landlord should be able to give you a good indication of how much you should expect to pay in utilities.
Bank Account
Opening a bank account upon arrival is one of the most important things you should do. Most employers will only transfer money into a Spanish bank account, so it is essential you set one up as soon as possible.
Most popular banks in Spain:
· Sabadell
· ING Bank
· Evo Banco
· Santander
Tax Number
Spain’s NIE Number is the personal and unique tax identification number that is used to track all financial and legal activities in Spain. The NIE number acts as both a tax and identification number. An NIE number is mandatory for all foreigners who have financial, professional or social affairs in Spain, regardless of whether they are a resident or not.
European citizens typically need to apply for an NIE number after three months in Spain, while non-EU citizens will typically receive their NIE number with their Spanish residency.
Official residents in Spain will also need to register on el padron, Spain’s population register.
You will need an NIE number to be legally employed in Spain, to rent or buy property and to pay for utilities, so it is important to apply as soon as possible, which you can do at the local police station.
To apply you will need the following documents (though this changes depending on where you apply, these documents will generally be required):
· NIE Application (EX 15 form)
· Original Passport (current and not expired) and a photocopy
· Two small photos
· Government Fee (€9.45 in 2016), which you should pay at the bank using a 790 NIE form.
For more information:
Cost of Living
Please see below for the cost of living in Barcelona, as of June 2018.
Source: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Barcelona
Visas
Citizens of the EU/EEA and Switzerland:
Citizens of the EU/EEA and Switzerland have the right to live and work in Spain without a visa or permit, but if you are staying for longer than 3 months you will have to register with the authorities and obtain a residence certificate, which requires you to prove you can support yourself financially and have healthcare insurance.
Citizens of all other states:
Non EU/EEA or Swiss residents planning to stay longer than 3 months in Spain will require a residence visa. This must be applied for at the Spanish Embassy of your home country before departure to Spain. This is different to a Schengen Visa as it allows the holder to begin the residency application process.
Citizens of non-EU countries wishing to stay in Spain longer than 3 months must apply for a residency permit/card (Tarjeta de Residencia) within 30 days of arriving in the country. The application must be made at the foreigners office (oficina de extranjeros) or local police station in the province of intended residence.
The documentation required varies depending on the situation, but these are generally the documents required for applying for a residence permit/card:
· Valid passport and photocopy
· Three passport-size colour photographs
· Completed application form and 3 copies
· Proof of Address in Spain
· Receipt for payment of the administration fee, stamped by bank.
Other
Overview of Barcelona –
Quick Facts:
· Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1.6 million.
· There were no beaches in Barcelona until 1992 when the city was chosen as the venue for that year’s Olympic Games. Barcelona’s beaches are artificial.
· Barcelona is home to the largest football stadium in Europe. Covering a surface area of 55,000 square metres, Camp Nou, FC Barcelona club’s home stadium has a capacity of 99,354.
· More than 10 percent of the city is covered by urban parks, and the surface grows about 10 ha every year, translating to a staggering 18.1 square metres of park area per inhabitant.
· Barcelona is home to no fewer than 9 UNESCO World Heritage sites!
Cities Equality Ranking:
Barcelona is one of the top ranking cities in Europe when it comes to equality. It is currently ranked the 25th best city in Europe for equality based on research carried out on a number of factors such as; male/female labour force participation, income inequality, accessibility and a number of other factors.
For more information –
Healthcare
Spain enjoys a universal healthcare system for all citizens, and under certain conditions, also non-citizens. The system is essentially free, except for small, often symbolic payments for some products or services.
In emergencies, people can use the A&E service in hospitals; for all other hospital visits a referral from a doctor is required.
In Spain there are public and private hospitals, with the former providing free treatment. As some hospitals offer both private and public healthcare services; the presentation of a social security card, an EHIC, or proof of private insurance is advised.
Transport
Barcelona was the first major city in Spain in which trains were implemented. They are currently run by Renfe and FGC where 15 lines run throughout the city.
There are currently 27 open railway stations serving Barcelona, the city’s main terminal station is Barcelona Sants. The construction of station Estacio de la Sagrera will serve the other half of the city.
The Barcelona Metro is an electrified railway network that has served Barcelona since 1924. It currently runs 11 lines in its network.
Two tram lines were introduced to the city in 2004, one serving the western side of the city, the other the eastern side. Both systems have 3 lines each, however more are expected to be introduced and are awaiting approval. An ambitious project to link Barcelona through both systems is currently pending revision.
Buses are a major form of public transport in Barcelona, with extensive local and interurban networks. There is also a network of night buses and a bus rapid transit system is currently being set up to complement the current network.
Current prices of tickets are as follows:
Single ticket – €2.20
Day Ticket – €8.60
T-10 Ticket – €10.20
For more information:
https://irbarcelona.org/getting-around-barcelona/public-transportation/
Useful Websites
Finally we would like to leave you with some links to some websites you might find helpful. You can click on the links below which we hope provide you with even more useful information.
http://www.expatarrivals.com/europe/spain/barcelona/moving-barcelona