How to get an English-speaking job in Barcelona

Marle

Updated on Jul 25 • 2 minute read

Almost 330,000 internationals have made their home in the Catalan capital and 80% of them even work in Barcelona. And this comes as no surprise: after the financial crisis in Spain, the city's considered a hotspot for internationals. So, let us show you how to get a an English-speaking job in Barcelona (without Spanish).

Spain slowly recovers from the financial crisis

The financial crisis in 2007 has had a deep impact on the Spanish labour market. While the country hit its lowest unemployment rate of 8.23% in 2007, the financial crisis has marked the country with a lack of perspective.

The good news: with an unemployment rate of 26.3% in 2013, Spain has since recovered from the crisis and now stands at only 14.11% unemployment.

The recovery of the market is reflected in the demand for internationals: talented internationals (without Spanish language skills) are finding better job prospects in Spain than ever before. In Barcelona in particular, the uptick has become evident.

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Almost 20% of foreigners receive new employment contracts in Barcelona.

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Work in Barcelona using your Spanish skills

Before you set your sights on a job in Barcelona, you need to check your Spanish level.

Taking Spanish courses to raise your level of fluency will broaden your job opportunities in Barcelona. Along with Castillan, Catálan's the most widely spoken language in Barcelona. Foreigners who speak both languages are more likely to land a high-paying job.

Getting an English-speaking job in Barcelona with no Spanish skills

If you move to Barcelona without any proficiency in Spanish, the easiest way to find an English-speaking job in Barcelona is primarily in hotels, bars or restaurants.

Is English your first language or you've the proficiency of a native speaker? Go for English teaching jobs in Barcelona. At the University of Barcelona, international schools and Spanish language schools you will quickly find a job. You can also work as a nanny or au pair in families with good English skills.

Even if the hotel industry or teaching English isn't your dream job, it’s a starting point to kick-start your life in Barcelona.

Get a feel for the industries

If you're a highly qualified international getting a foothold in Barcelona, you can also get into your skilled job outside of the tourism industry.

Have a look at the strongest industries in Barcelona:

Pharmaceuticals, chemicals
Car manufacturers
Services in tourism, trade, logistics, new technologies and transport
Agri-food

Barcelona has become a hotspot for entrepreneurs and freelancers over the last few years. Start-ups find their support system to grow businesses in the city's international flair.

Don't forget: even if you're self-employed, you still need a Spanish work visa!

Where to find English speaking jobs in Barcelona

In Spain, you can find a wide range of online job forums where you can get the latest job ads.

LinkedIn: Set your search alarm to stay up to date.
The Local: Search by category or city. With smart filtering options, you can tailor your search to better suit you.
Jobs in Barcelona: Filter directly for jobs in English or other languages.
ExpatJob: Find jobs for internationals all over the world, including Barcelona.
ThinkSpain: Use smart filters to search directly for English-speaking jobs in Barcelona.

For English teaching jobs in Barcelona: