Moving to Barcelona as a Founder: The Unromantic Checklist No One Gives You
- Circles House
- Nov 17
- 4 min read
Everyone romanticizes the Barcelona move—the rooftop tapas, the sea breeze, the “I’ll just open my laptop at a café” vibe. But beneath the aesthetics, Barcelona is also one of Europe’s fastest-growing tech hubs, home to unicorns, international founders, deep-tech talent, and a startup ecosystem that actually moves.
Still, the reality for founders and solopreneurs relocating here is far less cinematic. Behind the Instagram reels lies a maze of paperwork, housing bureaucracy, and weeks without a working SIM card or bank account.
So before you book that one-way ticket and post your “New chapter 🌊🇪🇸” story, here’s the unromantic but essential checklist that will save you months of frustration and keep your startup (and sanity) alive.
1. Admin: The Bureaucratic Jungle You Can’t Ignore
Spain runs on paperwork—and Barcelona adds a layer of Catalan flavor to it. If you want to stay more than a few weeks, this is your real onboarding:
a. Get your NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) This is your foreigner ID number. You’ll need it for everything: signing a lease, opening a bank account, or setting up utilities. Book your appointment early through sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es or find a gestor (an admin assistant) who can help you navigate it faster.
b. Empadronamiento (Address Registration) You’ll need to register at your local town hall (Ajuntament). It’s proof you live in the city and is required for healthcare and many legal processes. Bring your lease, passport, and NIE application receipt.
c. Health Card (Tarjeta Sanitaria) Once empadronado, you can apply for public healthcare. Most founders combine this with private insurance for speed and English-speaking doctors.
Pro tip: Budget time, not just money. Each step can take 2–4 weeks, especially in summer.
2. Housing: Between Airbnbs and the Spanish Bureaucracy
Finding an apartment in Barcelona is a full-time job. Demand is high, deposits are steep (two to three months), and agencies love paperwork.
If you’re here to build something, coliving is the smartest entry point. Spaces like Circles House let you soft-land without long leases or utility headaches. You get a private room, coworking, cleaning, events, and—most importantly—a network of other founders who’ve been through the same admin chaos.
Once you’re settled, use platforms like Idealista, Fotocasa, and Badi to find longer-term options. Just make sure you understand the NIE + proof of income requirements before signing.
3. Banking: Welcome to Slow Finance
Opening a bank account as a foreign entrepreneur can feel like a loyalty challenge. Traditional banks will ask for your NIE, proof of address, and sometimes tax residency. Digital-first options like N26, Revolut Business, or Wise can get you started faster while you wait for your local paperwork.
When you’re ready to go local, Banco Sabadell and CaixaBank are founder-friendly and offer English-speaking support.
Pro tip: Keep both—one Spanish account for local transactions (rent, utilities) and one international to manage your startup or freelance income.
4. Community: The Founder’s Secret Weapon
You’ll arrive knowing few people—and that’s where most newcomers stall. Barcelona’s startup scene is active but fragmented. You need to embed yourself quickly.
Here’s where to start:
Circles House: For founders, solopreneurs, and digital nomads looking for housing + built-in network.
Barcelona Tech City & Pier 01: Ideal for tech meetups and investor intros.
Startup Grind BCN: Monthly events full of operators and early-stage founders.
Coworking spaces like OneCoWork, Aticco, and Cloudworks for casual networking.
Think of community as your “social infrastructure.” It keeps you motivated, accountable, and informed about local opportunities (and red flags).
5. Mental Health: The Part No One Mentions
Moving countries is emotionally expensive. You’re juggling admin, isolation, and cultural adaptation while still trying to hit your business goals. Founders often ignore the toll until burnout hits.
Here’s the reality:
You will feel lost for a few weeks. That’s normal.
Things take longer than you expect. That’s also normal.
You’re not alone—most founders here have cried at least once outside the immigration office.
Build emotional infrastructure the same way you build your business one:
Join peer groups to connect with others going through the same process
Weekly events at Circles House.
Find a therapist or coach early (many work online in English).
Set a routine—morning walks, exercise, community lunches—to reestablish rhythm.
You didn’t move here to be overwhelmed; you moved here to build something meaningful. Protect that energy
The Founder’s Barcelona Formula
Moving to Barcelona can feel like a test of patience, but it also offers unmatched creative energy, global talent, and a lifestyle that actually supports the way founders work today. Do the unromantic parts first—paperwork, housing, setup—and you unlock the real rewards: focus, flow, community, and the space to build something meaningful without burning yourself out.
And if you want a softer, smarter landing, start with a month at Circles House. It’s designed for people like you—builders, dreamers, founders who don’t just want to live somewhere, but belong somewhere. A place where you can ask questions, make friends, get advice, and plug directly into a network that accelerates your life and your company.
Because here’s the truth:
Your best ideas need the right environment.
Your next chapter needs the right people.
And Barcelona is absolutely worth it.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to make the move—this is it.
Pack the suitcase. Pick a start date. Book a tour.
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