Residents » Overview » Before You Arrive

The ease with which you get the necessary work and residency permits for Barcelona will depend on your nationality. Residents of the European Union and the European Economic Area face much less bureaucracy.

Non-EU residents will typically have to provide more detailed explanations about the purpose of their stay, and the pile of paperwork will have to be routed through the Spanish consulate in their home country. Things may go smoother if you are able to get a job beforehand, as your company may be able to help with a visa application.

It’s advisable to check with your local Spanish consulate or embassy (www.mae.es/en/WebEmbajadasConsulados) about the latest requirements, as laws are constantly changing. The Catalonia government also has a useful Welcome Guide with a requirements overview and helpful resources (www.gencat.net/benestar/immigracio/web_ac).

And, of course you’ll need all your essential documents (passport, birth and marriage certificates, driving licence and, if applicable, identity card). You will need to present these at almost every step.

You'll also need to sort your affairs at home; settle existing rental contracts; shut off water, electricity and phone services; organise shipping or storage; inform banks and financial institutions that you are moving aboard, and looking into tax and pension implications. Browse the rest of this chapter for information about lining up work, a place to live and enrolling children at school.

Perhaps most importantly, consider taking Spanish lessons. English will get you only so far, and you'll need to communicate with locals as soon as you get off the plane.