Welcome to Barcelona

Housing

What is the best place to live in Barcelona? The answer, of course, will vary according to personal preferences. If you have children, you may want to choose a family-friendly neighbourhood, whereas young professionals may prefer to be closer to the action in the city centre such as Born or Gràcia.
If you are looking for cheaper properties or rentals, you should consider the towns in the metropolitan area.

Bureaucracy before arriving

Almost no one enjoys dealing with bureaucracy, but it’s something you can’t really avoid. With a bit of determination, organization, and patience, you’ll be able to get through it—even if many forms are only available in the local language and it’s not always easy to find officials who speak your language.

Legalising and translating documents

Certain procedures for moving to Barcelona require official documents from your home country (for example, a birth or marriage certificate), and these must be recognized by the local authorities.

Bank account

There are several banking options in Barcelona, from local banks to branches of major international institutions and large investment banks. It is a good idea to ask your bank in your home country about the
possibility of opening an account with a corresponding branch in Barcelona if there is one. Some banks have English-speaking staff at specific branches to help foreigners.