Barcelona

Since 1 January 2021, UK students no longer have automatic right to work or intern in Spain. Here's what you need:

For unpaid internships (most common): A student visa (estancia de estudios) linked to a formal internship agreement (convenio de prácticas). This requires a partnership between your UK university and a Spanish institution or company. Our team facilitates this agreement.

For paid internships: Your employer must apply for a work authorisation (autorización de trabajo) on your behalf. This is more complex and takes longer, which is one reason many companies prefer to offer unpaid placements to non-EU interns.

NIE (Foreigner Identification Number): You'll need this for almost everything in Spain - opening a bank account, signing a rental contract, getting a phone plan. Applied for once you arrive. We guide you through the process at the local police station.

Timeline: Start your visa application at least 8 weeks before departure. The Spanish consulate in London or Edinburgh handles applications. Processing takes 4-8 weeks. Our team manages the paperwork, but delays happen - plan accordingly.

For stays under 90 days: UK citizens can visit Spain for up to 90 days without a visa, but this does not authorise any form of work, including unpaid internships. Some companies and agencies overlook this - we don't, because it puts you at risk.

Pickpocketing is Barcelona's biggest safety concern. The city consistently ranks among Europe's worst for pickpocketing, and tourists and interns are prime targets. It's not violent - it's extremely skilled theft.

Hotspots: Las Ramblas, metro lines L1 and L3 (especially at rush hour), Barceloneta beach, Plaça de Catalunya, tourist areas around Sagrada Família, and crowded bars in El Born and the Gothic Quarter.

Common tactics: Distraction techniques (someone "accidentally" spills something on you), fake petition signers, groups crowding you on escalators, bag-slashing. Phone snatching from restaurant tables and while you're taking photos is also common.

How to protect yourself: Use a cross-body bag with zips facing your body. Never put your phone on a restaurant table. Keep valuables in front pockets. Don't carry your passport unless required. Be especially alert when getting on/off the metro. These aren't paranoid measures - they're standard practice for Barcelona residents.

Violent crime: Rare against tourists. Barcelona is genuinely safe to walk around at night in most areas. Exercise normal caution in the Raval late at night and on the beach after dark.

Your GHIC/EHIC no longer covers you in Spain. Since Brexit, UK citizens are not entitled to state healthcare in Spain. You need private health insurance - it's also a requirement for your visa application.

What to get: Private health insurance covering at least €30,000 in medical expenses (this is the visa requirement minimum). We recommend £250,000+ cover for peace of mind. Policies from providers like SafetyWing, Cigna, or Allianz Care typically cost £40-80/month for comprehensive cover.

Pharmacies: Well-stocked and common (look for the green cross). Pharmacists can advise on minor ailments and many medications that require prescriptions in the UK are available over the counter in Spain.

Emergency: Dial 112. Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau and Hospital Clínic are the main public hospitals. With private insurance, clinics like Centro Médico Teknon offer faster English-speaking care.

Gràcia: The intern and young professional favourite. Village-like atmosphere with independent shops, lively plaças, and good cafes. Feels less touristy than the centre. Room in shared flat: £450-600/mo. Good metro connections (L3, L4).

Eixample: Central, well-connected, beautiful Modernista architecture. More expensive but you're close to everything. Room: £500-700/mo. Best for those who want a short commute.

Poble Sec: Up-and-coming area between Montjuïc and the city centre. Excellent local food scene (Carrer de Blai is tapas heaven). More affordable. Room: £400-550/mo.

El Born / Gothic Quarter: Beautiful, historic, central. But very touristy, noisy at night, and more expensive than it should be for the quality you get. Room: £500-650/mo. Best for short stays.

Sants / Sant Antoni: Practical, well-connected (Sants is the main train station), local feel, cheaper than central areas. Room: £400-550/mo. Good value for money.

Poblenou: The tech district. Closest to the beach, modern, and increasingly popular. Room: £450-600/mo. Ideal if you're interning at a 22@ startup.

Spring (March-May): Best overall period. 15-22°C, dry, city in full bloom. Professional activity is high. The ideal time.

Summer (June-August): Hot. 28-35°C, sometimes higher. Many local businesses slow down in August (some close entirely). Accommodation prices spike 30-50%. Great for hospitality internships, less ideal for office-based roles. The beach compensates somewhat.

Autumn (September-November): Excellent. 18-25°C, city comes back to life after summer. Strong professional activity. Slightly cheaper accommodation than spring/summer.

Winter (December-February): Mild by UK standards (8-15°C), occasionally rainy. Cheapest accommodation. City is quieter but still vibrant. Some outdoor terraces close. Perfect if you like a more local, less touristy experience.

Day trip to Montserrat monastery (1hr by train, £15 return), beaches at Sitges or Costa Brava (30-90 min by train), hiking in Collserola Natural Park (accessible by metro), wine tasting in Penedès region, Dalí museum in Figueres, Girona for Game of Thrones locations, skiing in the Pyrenees in winter (2hr drive). Barcelona is also a cheap base for weekend flights to other European cities - Ryanair and Vueling fly to dozens of destinations from £20-40 return.

It varies by sector. Tech startups and larger companies sometimes offer stipends of €400-800/month. Marketing, creative, NGO, and hospitality internships are commonly unpaid, especially for non-EU students on shorter placements. Paid internships require a formal work authorisation, which adds processing time and complexity. We're transparent about compensation during matching - you'll know exactly what to expect before committing.

Yes, and Barcelona is a popular Turing Scheme destination. The scheme funds international placements through participating UK universities. You cannot apply directly - check with your university's placement or international office. It covers travel and living expenses and is confirmed through the 2026-27 academic year. We provide all documentation your university needs. European destinations like Barcelona tend to get approved more easily than more distant locations.

Almost certainly. Barcelona is an established placement destination and most UK universities accept international placements if they meet learning criteria. We provide formal documentation including learning agreements, supervisor reports, and internship confirmations. The proximity to the UK, timezone alignment, and strong university networks in Barcelona all work in your favour. We have experience with placement year, sandwich year, and year in industry formats.

Yes, post-Brexit UK students need a student visa (estancia de estudios) for internships over 90 days, or a work authorisation for paid roles. Even for stays under 90 days, the tourist visa waiver does not permit work of any kind, including unpaid internships. Apply through the Spanish consulate in London or Edinburgh, 8+ weeks before departure. Our team handles all the paperwork and walks you through every step.

For most international-facing companies and startups, English is sufficient. However, conversational Spanish is a significant advantage - it opens more placement options, improves your social life, and shows employers you're serious. Some positions (especially in hospitality, NGOs, and local businesses) require working-level Spanish. Catalan is the co-official language; you'll see it everywhere but don't need it for work. We recommend at least A2-level Spanish before arriving.

Cost of living is 30-40% lower. Quality of life (weather, beach access, food, work-life balance) is arguably better. The tech and startup scene is smaller but growing fast, and interns typically get more responsibility. The downsides: visa complexity that London doesn't have, language barrier for some roles, and a smaller job market if you want to stay long-term. If you're interested in tech, marketing, or creative industries and want an international experience on your CV, Barcelona is excellent. For finance, law, or corporate consulting, London is stronger.

Minimum 3 months for a meaningful experience - the first 2-3 weeks are settling in, getting your NIE, finding your rhythm. For a placement year, 5-6 months is ideal. Longer stays give you deeper projects, stronger professional relationships, and a more impressive reference. Visa considerations also favour longer stays since the application effort is the same whether you go for 3 months or 12.

Yes, Barcelona is generally very safe for women. The city is vibrant and walkable late into the evening. Standard precautions apply: be aware of pickpocketing (the main risk for everyone), avoid the beach alone very late at night, and use common sense in the Raval area after midnight. The intern and expat community is large and welcoming. Many of our interns are women and consistently report feeling safe. Our local team provides a specific safety orientation and is available 24/7.