Barcelona jobs

The job market in Barcelona

Barcelona combines tourism, the port and trade fairs with a large tech and start-up scene. Many international companies run multilingual customer service and sales teams here and look for native speakers – German, Dutch, French or Scandinavian languages are a real advantage. Retail, restaurants and hotels, healthcare and logistics hire all year round too, with a peak in the summer season.

Catalan and Spanish at work

In Catalonia, Catalan and Spanish are both official languages, and you can deal with the authorities in either. Public-sector jobs require proof of Catalan; in the private sector each employer decides. If the listing says nothing, ask – with customers, Catalan can be a plus. The basic courses of the Consorci per a la Normalització Lingüística are free.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to speak Catalan to work in Barcelona?

Not for most private-sector jobs – there each employer decides, and Spanish or the native language they are looking for is often enough. For public-sector jobs in Catalonia, however, proof of Catalan is required.

Are there jobs in Barcelona without Spanish?

Yes, mainly in multilingual customer service and sales teams, where your native language counts, and in international tech companies. For your contract, paperwork and daily life, Spanish still helps noticeably.

Where do I register as a job seeker in Barcelona?

At the Servei Públic d'Ocupació de Catalunya (SOC). The city's Barcelona Activa service also offers free advice and courses. Unemployment benefit is paid by the national SEPE.

What kind of contract do the jobs in Barcelona offer?

According to the 113 listings on this page: Full-time (106), Permanent (5), Permanent with seasonal breaks (fijo discontinuo) (3), Part-time (2) and Internship (1). One listing can state several, for example full-time and permanent.