İçindekiler
- Is life expensive in Barcelona?
- What is the cost of living in Barcelona?
- 1. Rent and Housing Prices
- 2. Grocery and Food Expenses
- 3. Transportation Expenses
- 4. Insurance and Health Expenses
- 5. Billing and Communication Expenses
- 6. Entertainment and Social Life Expenses
- 7. Education and Course Fees
- 8. Taxes and Other Expenses
Last update: October 18, 2024
You’ve decided to turn a new page in your life and are preparing to move to Barcelona. You’ve signed your employment contract or received school approval, and the suitcases are already packed. However, before taking this exciting step, there’s an important question you need to answer: What is the cost of living in Barcelona?
It’s very important to understand the living expenses in Barcelona well to make a realistic budget plan and avoid financial surprises in your new city. You need to consider many items such as rental costs, grocery and food expenses, transportation costs, insurance, and health expenses. However, keep in mind that there are alternatives for all of them. In this article, I will discuss the cost of living in Barcelona in detail based on both my experiences and those of my friends. This way, you can make more informed and comfortable decisions while preparing for your new life in this beautiful city.
Is life expensive in Barcelona?
To live comfortably alone in Barcelona, it would be prudent to set aside a monthly budget of €750 – €800 (excluding rent). For a family of 4, the cost of living in Barcelona is approximately €2,750 excluding rent, though this will vary depending on your lifestyle and neighborhood.
We can say that Spain is generally cheaper compared to other countries. For example, the cost of living in Spain is 12% cheaper than in the United Kingdom and 22% cheaper than in the Netherlands. To give a personal example, I cannot live in Istanbul with the budget I set aside for Barcelona. Of course, this is directly related to the change in my lifestyle. So, how expensive is it to live in Barcelona? It’s very difficult to give a definitive answer to this because, as with everywhere else, there is no upper limit here.
What is the cost of living in Barcelona?
The cost of living in Barcelona is higher compared to other Spanish cities like Valencia, Marbella, Bilbao, Alicante, and Seville. It’s shown as Spain’s 2nd most expensive city after Madrid. However, according to my friends who live there, Madrid is actually cheaper.
To help with your life planning in Barcelona, I will try to provide as much detail as possible in this article. For this, I have identified the following 10 different headings:
- Rent and Housing Costs
- Grocery and Food Expenses
- Transportation Expenses
- Insurance and Health Expenses
- Utility and Communication Costs
- Entertainment and Social Life Expenses
- Education and Course Fees
- Taxes and Other Expenses
1. Rent and Housing Prices
Barcelona is a city that attracts tourists every month of the year, and when you factor in the high expat population, it’s inevitable that the housing market is active. Due to high demand, rental prices have been trending upward in recent years. Below, I’ve listed detailed information about rent and housing costs in Barcelona for 2024. Additionally, you can use idealista, fotocasa, and badi platforms for apartment hunting.
Rental Prices in the City Center and Surrounding Area
Apartments in touristic and central areas can be more expensive due to high demand. If you want more opportunities according to your budget, you can find apartments with balconies or terraces a little further out of town.
City Center (Ciutat Vella, Eixample, Gràcia)
| Apartment Type | Rent |
|---|---|
| 1+1 Apartments | 1.300 - 1.900 € |
| 2+1 Apartments | 1.900 - 2.700 € |
Urban Outlying Areas and Suburbs (Poblenou, Sant Martí, Sants-Montjuïc)
| Apartment Type | Rent |
|---|---|
| 1+1 Apartments | 1.000 - 1.400 € |
| 2+1 Apartments | 1.400 - 2.000 € |
Home Sharing and Student Dormitory Prices
Another widely used method to reduce costs in Barcelona is renting a room. Room rentals are particularly popular among students and young professionals. Student dormitories can be ideal for initial adjustment and integration, offering advantages such as meal plans, cleaning services, and social activities.
Home Sharing
| Room Type | Rent |
|---|---|
| Single Room | 450 - 750 € |
| Double Room | 700 - 1.000 € |
University Dormitories
| Accommodation Type | Rent |
|---|---|
| University Dormitories | 800 - 1.200 € |
| Private Student Residences | 900 - 1.400 € |
2. Grocery and Food Expenses
Food and beverage expenses make up a significant portion of our living costs. Below you’ll find detailed information about supermarket prices, dining out costs, and prices for local markets and organic products. I’d like to note that these prices are averages and can vary. Barcelona has various supermarket chains. The most popular ones are Mercadona, Carrefour, Lidl, Aldi, Dia, and El Corte Ingles. These markets have products that cater to every budget with their wide range of products and different price options.
Basic Needs Products
| Products | Prices |
|---|---|
| Bread (500g) | 1,00 - 1,50 € |
| Milk (1 liter) | 0,85 - 1,10 € |
| Eggs (12) | 1,70 - 2,80 € |
| Cheese (1 kg, local varieties) | 9,00 - 13,00 € |
| Chicken Burger (540g) | 3,90 € |
| Chicken Breast (1 kg) | 6,50 - 8,50 € |
| Beef (1 kg) | 11,00 - 16,00 € |
| Fish (1 kg, fresh fish varieties) | 9,00 - 13,00 € |
| Rice (1 kg) | 1,10 - 1,60 € |
| Pasta (500g) | 0,90 - 1,30 € |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | 1,10 - 1,60 € |
| Onions (1 kg) | 1,10 - 1,60 € |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | 1,60 - 2,60 € |
| Apples (1 kg) | 1,60 - 2,60 € |
| Bananas (1 kg) | 1,60 - 2,10 € |
| 12-Pack Toilet Paper | 4,70 € |
Beverage Prices
| Food and Beverages | Prices |
|---|---|
| Coffee (espresso) | 1,30 - 1,60 € |
| Cappuccino | 1,60 - 2,10 € |
| Sandwich or Toast | 3,50 - 5,50 € |
| Tapas (one portion) | 3,50 - 5,50 € |
| Beer (0.33 liters) | 2,20 - 3,20 € |
| Daily Menu (Menú del Día) | 13,00 - 19,00 € |
| Pizza or Pasta | 9,00 - 13,00 € |
| Paella (per person) | 13,00 - 19,00 € |
| Meat or Fish Main Courses | 16,00 - 27,00 € |
| Wine (glass) | 3,50 - 5,50 € |
| Cocktails | 9,00 - 16,00 € |
| Desserts | 6,50 - 11,00 € |
| Fast Food Menus | 7,50 - 9,50 € |
| McDonalds Big Mac | 5,55 - 8,25 € |
| Doner or Kebab | 4,50 - 6,50 € |
Prices for Eating Out
| Food and Beverages | Prices |
|---|---|
| Coffee (espresso) | 1,30 - 1,60 € |
| Cappuccino | 1,60 - 2,10 € |
| Sandwich or Toast | 3,50 - 5,50 € |
| Tapas (one portion) | 3,50 - 5,50 € |
| Beer (0.33 liters) | 2,20 - 3,20 € |
| Daily Menu (Menú del Día) | 13,00 - 19,00 € |
| Pizza or Pasta | 9,00 - 13,00 € |
| Paella (per person) | 13,00 - 19,00 € |
| Meat or Fish Main Courses | 16,00 - 27,00 € |
| Wine (glass) | 3,50 - 5,50 € |
| Cocktails | 9,00 - 16,00 € |
| Desserts | 6,50 - 11,00 € |
| Fast Food Menus | 7,50 - 9,50 € |
| McDonalds Big Mac | 5,55 - 8,25 € |
| Doner or Kebab | 4,50 - 6,50 € |
3. Transportation Expenses
You’ll probably walk everywhere during your first year :). However, if you need to use public transportation regularly, it’s good to add this to your monthly costs. In the beginning, I used the monthly T-Usual for zone 1, but now I use Bicing along with a 10-trip package. If you like cycling, I definitely recommend getting Bicing – after the annual subscription, you can go almost anywhere. I chose the electric package. For taxi options, Uber, Cabify, and FreeNow work smoothly and don’t discriminate against passengers.
Public Transport Fees (Metro, Bus, Tram)
| Subscriptions and Card Types | Prices |
|---|---|
| T-Casual (10 passes) | 12.15 € |
| T-Usual (30 days) | 21.35 € |
| T-16 (Free for children) | 4,5 € (Card price) |
| Bicing | 35 - 50 € |
| Airport Transfer (One way) | 7,25 € |
| Airport Transfer (Two way) | 12,50 € |
4. Insurance and Health Expenses
Before moving to Barcelona, you need to have mandatory health insurance. You can benefit from Seguridad Social for free, but make sure to renew your private health insurance every year. Each insurance company may have different prices and facilities, but you can choose the one that suits your budget and expectations. I had insurance through Sanitas in my first year, and I’m continuing with Adeslas in my second year.
Health Insurance Options and Costs
| Health Insurances | Prices |
|---|---|
| Seguridad Social | Free |
| Sanitas | 850 - 1.250 € |
| Adeslas | 550 - 1.150 € |
| DKV Seguros | 800 - 1.200 € |
| Mapfre | 600 - 1.500 € |
5. Billing and Communication Expenses
If you’re staying in a shared house, you’ll probably only pay a bill for your mobile phone. However, when you move into your own place, you have to consider all bills such as electricity, water, gas, and internet. Below, I’ve tried to include all possible subscriptions. Additionally, operators like Movistar and Vodafone can offer comprehensive packages that include mobile phone, home internet, and TV services.
Electricity, Water, Natural Gas and Internet Bills
| Subscriptions | Status | Prices |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 1+1 Apartment | 45 - 65 € |
| Electricity | 2+1 Apartment | 65 - 85 € |
| Electricity | 3+1 Apartment | 85 - 125 € |
| Water | Single Person | 20 - 30 € |
| Water | Double Person | 20 - 30 € |
| Water | Family (3-4 Person) | 45 - 65 € |
| Natural Gas | Summer Months | 25 - 35 € |
| Natural Gas | Winter Months | 65 - 105 € |
| Internet | Fixed Package | 35 - 45 |
| Internet + Phone + TV Packages | Complete Package | 55 - 85 € |
Mobile Phone Packages and Operator Options
| Providers | Prices |
|---|---|
| Movistar | €27.95 / month |
| Orange | €20 / month |
| Vodafone | €15 / month |
| Yoigo | €20.80 / month |
| Lowi | €20 / month |
| Pepephone | €20.90 / month |
| MásMóvil | €9.90 / month |
6. Entertainment and Social Life Expenses
Barcelona is a very socially active city, and you have a high chance of finding an event every day of the week. I’ve listed in detail the ticket prices for cinema, theater, and concerts in Barcelona, gym memberships, and average prices for nightlife and social events.
Cinema, Theatre and Concert Tickets
| Events | Prices |
|---|---|
| Cinema | 8 - 12 € |
| IMAX and 3D | 12 - 15 € |
| Local Theatre | 15 - 30 € |
| International Theatre | 40 - 80 € |
| Local Concert | 10 - 25 € |
| International Concert | 50 - 100 € |
| Festivals (One Day) | 70 - 100 € |
| All Festival (Primavera) | 265 € |
Gym Memberships
| Gyms | Prices |
|---|---|
| Fitness Park | 27 - 42 € |
| VivaGym | 30,90 € |
| Basic Fit | 29,99 € |
| Altafit | 29,90 € |
| BCN Fitness | 27,95 € |
7. Education and Course Fees
If you’re thinking of coming to Barcelona specifically for education, the prices below may help you with your planning. You can review the average price information for language schools and course fees, university tuition and education expenses, professional certifications, and workshop costs.
Language School and Course Fees
| Courses | Prices |
|---|---|
| 3 Month Spanish Course | 479 € |
| 4 Month Spanish Course | 638 € |
| 5 Month Spanish Course | 798 € |
| 8 Month Spanish Course | 1.210 € |
| 12 Month Spanish Course | 1.814 € |
| 3 Month - 20 Hours per Week Spanish Course | 1.236 € |
| 6 Month - 20 Hours per Week Spanish Course | 2.408 € |
| 12 Month - 20 Hours per Week Spanish Course | 4.491 € |
| Hourly Private Spanish Lessons | 25 - 50 € |
University Tuition and Education Expenses
| University | Prices |
|---|---|
| Government - Undergraduate | 1.500 - 3.000 € |
| Government - Masters and PhD | 2.000 - 4.500 € |
| Private - Undergraduate | 6.000 - 12.000 € |
| Private - Masters & PhD | 10.000 - 25.000 € |
| One Time Registration & Administrative | 200 - 500 € |
8. Taxes and Other Expenses
In this section, I will try to share detailed information about income and consumption taxes, bank fees and financial services, and pet care expenses.
Income tax
Income tax in Spain is a tax levied on income you declare as an individual and is one of the main funding sources for the social security system. These rates vary depending on your income level. For example, while higher income groups are taxed at higher rates, lower income groups benefit from lower rates – it’s beneficial to speak with a gestor for detailed information.
| Income Range | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| 0 - 12.450 € | %19 |
| 12.450 - 20.200 € | %24 |
| 20.200 - 35.200 € | %30 |
| 35.200 - 60.000 € | %37 |
| 60.000 - 300.000 € | %45 |
| €300.000 and above | %47 |
Other Taxes
Vehicle Registration Tax: When purchasing a new vehicle, this varies depending on the vehicle’s value, engine size, and emission rate. In 2024, vehicle tax can range between 200 – 1,500 Euros based on the vehicle’s value.
Annual Traffic Tax: This varies according to the municipality where your vehicle is registered and costs approximately 60 – 200 Euros for 2024.
Property Tax (IBI): This tax, which must be paid by homeowners, ranges between 200 – 800 Euros depending on the property’s location and value.
Additional Information Double Taxation Agreements: Spain has double taxation prevention agreements with certain countries, Turkey being one of them. These agreements prevent individuals living between two countries from paying tax twice on the same income.
Tax Return: The annual tax return is usually submitted between April and June. This return contains detailed information about your income earned and taxes paid throughout the year.
Bank Account Fees
Bank accounts in Spain come with various fees and services. The cost of bank accounts can vary depending on your chosen bank and account type.
Monthly Account Maintenance Fee Free Accounts: Some banks like BBVA and ING offer free accounts under certain conditions. I chose BBVA and there’s no account maintenance fee.
Paid Accounts: Monthly maintenance fees range between 5 – 15 Euros, varying according to account type.
Transfer and EFT Fees Domestic Transfers: Usually free or low-cost, some banks offer free domestic EFT to their customers. Similarly, I don’t pay any fees for domestic transfers at BBVA.
International Transfers: Fees range from 0.5% – 1%, and SWIFT fees can be an additional 15 – 30 Euros.
ATM Usage Your Bank’s ATMs: Generally free.
Other Banks’ ATMs: May charge between 1 – 3 Euros.
Additional Information Packages and Promotions: You can get more advantageous conditions by examining the packages and promotions offered by banks. For example, depositing a certain amount of money or using specific services like salary accounts can exempt you from monthly fees.
Online Banking Services: Thanks to online banking and mobile applications, you can perform your transactions more easily and quickly. I think BBVA’s mobile application experience is one of the best.
Pet Care Expenses
We rarely think about the money we spend on our pets, but we need to take this into consideration when living in Barcelona. The cost of pet care in Spain varies depending on the type of animal and their care needs. Here are the average pet care expenses for 2024:
Cat and Dog Food Dry Food (1 kg): 3 – 8 Euros
Wet Food (400g): 1 – 3 Euros
Special Diet and Premium Food (1 kg): 8 – 15 Euros
Veterinary Services Vaccinations: Cat and dog vaccines range between 30 – 50 Euros.
Microchip Application: Microchipping is recommended for your pet’s safety. The cost of this service ranges between 40 – 60 Euros and makes it easier to find your pet if they get lost.
Spaying/Neutering Operations Cats
Female cats: 100 – 150 Euros
Male cats: 70 – 100 Euros Dogs
Female dogs: 150 – 250 Euros
Male dogs: 120 – 180 Euros
Pet Health Insurance Getting insurance for your pet’s health can provide great advantages in covering unexpected veterinary expenses – it’s worth researching alternatives like Petplan and Barkibu.
Monthly Fee: 10 – 30 Euros
If you are particularly interested in this part, I recommend reading the article Traveling With Pets.
In this article, I tried to provide as much accurate information as possible about the cost of living in Barcelona. I will update the figures and headings periodically. Also, if there is any information you would like to be added or updated, please don’t forget to mention it in the comments.
You can find the latest updates within the article below:
October 18, 2024
Added taxes and other expenses section. Added home and room search platforms to rent and housing prices. Basic food prices were updated.
