Most passport holders will be able to stay up to 90 days without the need to do any paperwork. You’ll probably be interested in renting an apartment, unless you are travelling on your own, in which case you may prefer shared accommodation or hotel set up for long-stays.
Thinking about spending a couple of months in Barcelona and working remotely?
Before you rush into reserving an apartment, check the following:
Location & transport links
Heating/Air conditioning
Price per week
Services and fees
Ratings/ Who’s renting?
Payment process
It’s worth having a good space, where you will feel comfortable. It’s fun eating out, but it’s also great to return to a relaxing apartment.
The range of serviced apartments available in Barcelona has expanded in the last couple of years. At the top end of the market, it would be hard to beat the Mandarin Oriental residences at the top end of Passeig de Gracia.
https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/residences/current/barcelona
The Archie apartments that overlook Arc d’Triomf opened in January 2023. Catering for those staying between 32 days and 11 months, this is a hassle free way of establishing a great base, with the bonus of a rooftop swimming pool.
The Barcelona City Authorities have restricted the short term rental market, so all owners need a special licence for short stay rentals. This has limited the growth of platforms like AirBnb and favoured the development of longer term rentals.
Another option when looking for a place to live is to explore the offer of coliving spaces. This attracts a younger age group and sounds a bit like student flat shares, but when you are setting up in a new city you need a place to work, a place to live and the chance to socialise. Coliving sometimes offers all three.
https://coliving.com/barcelona
Rental contracts
If you plan to stay long term, you will need to work with a local real estate agency, deposit a bond, and a fee to the agency. This is when language barriers can add to the confusion and good apartments might disappear from the market before you had time to make a decision.
Renting through friends
If you know people living in Barcelona, they may know someone in their circle who has an apartment to rent. It is still important to have a rental contract and check market rates for similar places, but otherwise, this can be an ideal solution.
In a new city, this is sometimes an attractive option. You get to know some other people and reduce your cost base. Unless you know someone living in the apartment, you may find that in practice you feel more like a lodger. It all depends on how the owner/leaseholder sees the arrangement.
The Born neighbourhood is a popular choice amongst new resiidents.
Mandarin Oriental – serviced apartments at the top of Passeig de Gracia.
Archie Living: long-stay rentals that overlook Arc d’Triomf. A great location and a new alternative for professionals.
Barcelona has a comprehensive public transportation system that includes the metro, buses, trams and trains. The metro system covers much of the city and suburbs. With 24-hour public NitBus transport. Get everything you need to know about getting around Barcelona.
Barcelona has become one of Europe’s top destinations for remote workers, freelancers, digital nomads, and start-ups. A key reason for this is the city’s thriving coworking scene, which offers flexible workspaces, strong professional communities, and an unbeatable quality of life.
Get easy to read guides about Barcelona with information that many new residents will need to find their way around the city. Find information about studying or schools for kids, places to work, places to eat, drink and find great coffee. We also have our favourite tapas bars.