Digital Nomad Life: Your Guide to Working Remotely in Barcelona (2024)

Do you catch yourself daydreaming in your office chair? Do you fantasize about sipping Aperol on a beach, conquering your workload with a stunning ocean view?

This dream can become your reality in Barcelona, Spain’s most vibrant city. As a digital nomad in Barcelona, you can ditch the monotonous 9-to-5, embrace the freedom of remote work, and join a thriving community of independent professionals across the globe.

But staying connected with colleagues and crushing deadlines while living the dream can feel overwhelming.ClickUp can be your remote work superhero.Sign up today and see for yourself.

This powerful tool helps you organize, track tasks, collaborate seamlessly, and stay on top of communication. With ClickUp managing your projects, you can focus on enjoying the perks of being a digital nomad in Barcelona.

Get ready to explore why Barcelona is the perfect European escape for your remote work lifestyle and how ClickUp can keep you productive while you soak up the sun.

Barcelona for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers

Barcelona is one of the best European cities for digital nomads. With its thriving digital nomad community, supportive community, rich cultural history, and warm weather, Barcelona offers several reasons to choose it as your remote work haven.

Quick facts about Barcelona

The advantages of being a digital nomad in Barcelona

1. Excellent transportation

Barcelona has an extensive public transportation system that makes it easy to explore and navigate the city. Plus, venturing beyond Barcelona is a breeze, allowing you to travel throughout Spain without hassle.

This city is well-connected with other parts of Spain, opening the door to easy, stress-free travel nationwide.

This is thanks to Barcelona’s well-developed network of:

• High-speed trains (AVE): These transport you to major Spanish cities like Madrid, Valencia, and Seville in a flash
• Regional trains: These are more affordable options for exploring nearby towns and coastal regions
• National bus network: These provide extensive coverage for reaching even smaller destinations

2. Great internet connectivity

A reliable, high-speed internet connection is essential for digital nomads, especially if you’re working with a remote team. Thankfully, Barcelona delivers. The city boasts some of the best internet infrastructure in Europe, offering a strong and dependable connection to keep you productive.

Moreover, many cafes and co-working spaces throughout Barcelona provide free Wi-Fi.

3. Thriving international community of digital nomads

Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter isn’t just stunning; it’s a hub for a large and welcoming digital nomad community.

You can expand your professional network through workshops, conferences, and meetups designed for remote workers.

There are also many social events, such as hikes, beach days, and cultural outings. You can easily meet fellow digital nomads by signing up for online groups, co-working spaces, and meetup groups, and you can also follow digital nomad hashtags and digital nomad groups on social media.

4. Vibrant cultural hub

Barcelona offers more than stunning scenery. The vibrant city boasts a rich cultural heritage and stunning architecture, including the works of Gaudí. Immerse yourself in Catalonia’s deep-rooted history and explore the city’s vibrant atmosphere.

The lively Barcelona nightlife, trendy bars, exciting food scene, and local culture can offer endless possibilities.

5. Safe for digital nomads

Compared to other major European cities, Barcelona is one of the safest cities to work from, especially for women. While petty thefts like pickpocketing can happen in crowded areas, they can be avoided with caution.

The challenges of being a digital nomad in Barcelona

1. High cost of living

Although Barcelona is not the most expensive city in Europe, the Catalan capital has a higher cost of living than other popular digital nomad cities worldwide.

Expect to pay $1,350 – $2,100/month for a decent apartment (more in peak summer). Everyday expenses can average up to $500 – $800/month, or more, depending on your lifestyle.

Pro tip💡: Budgeting can help you save money and plan your spending wisely. Use ClickUp’s digital nomad tools to track expenses and create spending plans to help you enjoy Barcelona while having a stable work-life balance.

Consider using ClickUp’s Personal Budget Template to track your income, savings, necessity expenses like food and utility bills, and discretionary spending, and make adjustments if needed.

2. Language barrier

Spanish is the most commonly spoken language in Barcelona. While English is spoken in tourist areas, navigating daily life and work can be challenging without knowing how to speak Spanish.

3. Crowds and tourist activity

Barcelona is a popular tourist destination, making it quite crowded, especially during the peak summer season from June to September. Public transportation, popular attractions, coffee shops, and even co-living spaces can be congested, impacting your everyday life.

4. Time zone differences

Depending on your company’s and team’s location, time zone differences can throw your work schedule out of whack. Putting in early or late hours might become the norm to keep up with colleagues for team communication in different locations worldwide.

The good news is, ClickUp’s remote collaboration tools can bridge these time zone gaps effortlessly. You can collaborate seamlessly with your team members, regardless of their location. ClickUp keeps everyone on the same page with features like:

• ClickUp Chat: Foster effortless communication with ClickUp Chat View to discuss projects and ideas with your remote team, even when they’re working on different schedules

• Task management: Use ClickUp Tasks for assigning tasks, action items, comments, and deadlines and adding shareable screen recordings to ensure everyone knows what needs to be done, even if they’re not online at the same time

• ClickUp Docs: Use ClickUp Docs to enable collaborative editing on projects in real time, connect them to your workflows, and eliminate the need for endless email exchanges. Make Docs your single source of truth to store all company information for any requirement ranging from roadmaps to knowledge bases; this ensures teams are always on the same page

The Best Places to Work Remotely in Barcelona

If you feel that Barcelona is the next destination in your journey as a digital nomad, here are some of the best places where you can work efficiently and in a relaxed manner:

1. Federal Café

Known for its delicious brunches, Federal Cafe has become a favorite among digital nomads in Barcelona. With branches in three locations across the city, it offers a convenient option for remote workers.

The cafe’s outdoor seating provides a refreshing change of scenery and a chance to enjoy the Barcelona sunshine. But Federal Cafes aren’t just about relaxation; they also cater to productivity.

They offer meeting rooms for collaboration and printing services to ensure you stay on top of your workload. And to sweeten the deal, they even offer complimentary coffee and tea, keeping you fueled throughout your workday.

While there, you can use ClickUp’s hybrid meeting features to stay connected with your team miles away and never miss any deadlines. For example, the ClickUp Calendar View displays everyone’s availability for scheduling hybrid meetings.

2. Coco Coffee

Forget the commitment of traditional co-working spaces! Coco Coffee offers a pay-as-you-go system, perfect for short stays in Barcelona. You can work by the hour for around €3.50, with rates capped at €120 for 10 days. This flexible approach means no monthly subscriptions and the freedom to work without pressure to buy additional drinks or food to stay put.

3. SandwiChez

This popular coffee chain is convenient and budget-friendly for digital nomads who need a quick coffee and a place to work. SandwiChez is a favorite among students and remote workers because of its lively atmosphere. The chain has numerous locations throughout Barcelona, so finding one close to you will be easy.

4. Betahaus

Betahaus is another haven for digital nomads in Barcelona. It offers a complete workspace solution and caters to every need, from high-speed Wi-Fi and comfy workstations to dedicated meeting rooms and printing facilities.

Betahaus also hosts a thriving community of entrepreneurs, freelancers, and remote workers, fostering collaboration and networking opportunities and giving you a sense of belonging in a new city. With flexible membership options like day passes, hot desks, and dedicated offices, Betahaus caters to various work styles, and its modern design creates an inspiring atmosphere.

If you like a vibrant workspace, connection with like-minded individuals, and a strong community, Betahaus is one of the best coworking spaces in Barcelona.

5. Laie Libreria Café

Tucked above a bookstore in Barcelona’s Eixample district (not the Gothic Quarter), Laie Libreria Café offers a tranquil escape for digital nomads seeking a quiet and focused work environment. Surrounded by books, this quaint cafe is ideal for those who prefer to work in a calming atmosphere.

It’s also budget-friendly compared to dedicated co-working spaces and is easily accessible by public transportation.

6. Maui Beach Coworking

Craving work-life balance with a breathtaking view of the ocean?

Look no further than Maui Beach Coworking in Poblenou. This beachfront workspace offers stunning beach scenery and easy access for a quick dip or stroll during your workday.

Beyond the standard amenities like reliable internet connection and comfortable workstations, Maui Beach Coworking provides unique perks for digital nomads to enjoy the local culture.

Choose from hot desks, dedicated workspaces, or meeting rooms to suit your needs. And when you’re ready to unwind, enjoy on-site yoga classes, stand-up paddle boarding opportunities, or relax with a drink at their co*cktail bar.

Ultimately, the “best” co-working space depends on your priorities and work style. If you’re looking for more options, here are some resources to help you research co-working spaces in Barcelona for digital nomads:

• Coworking Spain: https://coworkingspain.es/en (website listing co-working spaces with details on pricing and amenities)
• Nomad List: https://nomadlist.com/ (platform to search for co-working spaces and cafes with user reviews)

The Gothic quarter of Spain offers many remote work options, but choosing the perfect spot can be tricky. ClickUp’s Remote Project Management tool can help.

• Craft a “Barcelona Workspaces” list: Use ClickUp to create a list for all your workspace research. Add tasks for each potential cafe or co-working space
• Gather details: Use task descriptions to compile info like amenities and special offers
• Prioritize your needs: Create custom fields for factors like ‘Location’, ‘Price’ or ’ Atmosphere.’ Filter and sort based on these to find your ideal spot
• Switch to map view: See all your workspace options plotted on a map of Barcelona
• Location: Easily identify workspaces near your accommodation or favorite areas
• Color-code your choices: Use custom field colors to highlight budget-friendly options or beachfront locations at a glance

Tips for Digital Nomads in Barcelona

Apps that make your life easier

If you’re looking to navigate Barcelona with ease, use these travel apps as your trusted sidekicks:

• TMB app: Available on Android and iOS, this map gives bus and metro times, operating hours, and alerts when you’re about to arrive at your destination bus or metro stop
• Citymapper: Citymapper offers the best route to get to your destination, with estimated arrival time and on-the-ground advice. It is available on Android and iOS stores
• Barcelona Maps: This app helps travelers navigate Barcelona’s vast metro system with an interactive map. It is available on Android and iOS stores

Work tools

• ClickUp: Whether you’re a freelancer or a full-time employee, ClickUp’s project management tool helps you track your work and deliverables, clients and communication, and store all your assets centrally
• Wise: Use Wise to transfer money internationally and pay in the local currency without paying huge exchange fees

Apps to find communities

• Meetup: Use this global app to find local activities and events in Barcelona

Apps to explore local culture and cuisine

• TheFork: If you’re looking for authentic or the best restaurants in Barcelona, TheFork gives you several options to choose from
• Spotted by Locals: With a strong presence in Barcelona, in this app, locals share their favorite stops and on-ground advice

As Barcelona digital nomads, use ClickUp’s Travel Planner Template to research neighborhoods and craft your itinerary, ensuring your Barcelona adventure perfectly matches your digital nomad needs.

Is There a Digital Nomad Visa in Barcelona?

If you’re a citizen of a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country, you don’t need a visa to live and work in Spain! You can simply register with the authorities upon arrival.

Here’s how it works:

• Within three months of arriving in Spain, you must register at the Foreigners’ Office (Oficina de Extranjero) or a local police station
• Once registered, you’ll receive a residence certificate and a Foreigner’s Identity Number (NIE)
• With your NIE, you can enjoy the freedom to live and work in Spain indefinitely

For everyone else, a digital nomad visa is required.

To qualify for the digital nomad visa in Barcelona, you’ll need to meet these requirements:

• Proof of employment: You’ll need to demonstrate that your company has been operational for at least one year
• Experience or education: You need to have a university degree or at least three years of work experience in your current field
• Clean criminal record: Your criminal background check needs to be clean
• Private health insurance: You’ll need private medical insurance coverage
• Financial stability: You’ll need to show proof of sufficient income. The minimum monthly income requirement is €2,400

Required documents for the Visa application:

• Completed application form
• Payment receipt for the application fee
• Passport or valid government-issued ID (photocopy)
• Proof of qualifications (degree or experience documents)
• Employment and income verification (work contract, employer letter, income proof)
• Company establishment proof (documents showing your employer’s company has been operational for a year)
• Authorization letter (if employed, obtain a letter from your company authorizing remote work in Spain)
• Clean criminal record document
• Private health insurance documentation

Remember: As a freelancer, you cannot work exclusively for Spanish companies. You must have clients from outside the country.

For more information on the digital nomad visa in Barcelona, you can visit the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is intended to be a helpful overview and should not be considered legal advice. Visa regulations can change, so we highly recommend conducting your own research and verifying the latest information with official sources, such as the Spanish government or a qualified immigration lawyer.

Read more: The digital nomad life in London

Is Working Remotely in Spain Right for You?

Barcelona beckons digital nomads with sunshine, tapas, and a vibrant work scene. The weather is perfect for working outdoors, and a Digital Nomad Visa allows extended stays. However, the cost of living can be high, Spanish is essential for navigating daily life, and tourist crowds can be overwhelming.

Budget travelers looking for a digital nomad lifestyle can find affordable areas, while social butterflies might prefer co-working spaces brimming with community. Beach lovers can find beachfront work havens, but be prepared for a premium price tag.

ClickUp can help you navigate life and work as a digital nomad. From communication and collaboration to managing projects and working through daily to-dos, our task management solution can save you time and effort in getting things done.

Take control of your Barcelona planning and try ClickUp for free today.