How much money will I need to move to Barcelona?

One of the questions we’re often asked by prospective students is how much money they’ll need to set themselves up and give themselves time to look for work. We’ve worked out three different budgets based on your circumstances and the assumption that you’ll be working within two months after arrival, so you’ll see a move abroad is achievable!

Shoestring budget

• Early bird course price: 1650€
• Find your own budget accommodation: 500€ + 500€ security deposit
• One month of living costs during the course: 320€
• Rent, living, entertainment costs for one month after the course: 820€
• 12 month course & student visa for non-EU citizens: 3300€
• Health insurance & visa applications costs: 900€
• Total cost for course and two months of living in Barcelona: 3790€ + flight costs
• If you need a long-term student visa: 7990€ + flight costs

This includes your Trinity CertTESOL teaching qualification, 1 year of Spanish lessons, health insurance and a student visa!

The best housing option when you’re on a small budget is to rent a room in an apartment. You’ll be able to find a decent room in a good area for around 500€ per month (plus one month security deposit).

Food and drink works out at 80€ a week, which is enough to cover your basic groceries and a few beers and tapas out on a weekend.

Comfortable budget

• Early bird course price: 1650€
• TEFL Iberia accommodation service: 750€ + 200€ security deposit
• One month of livings costs during the course: 480€
• Rent, living, entertainment costs for one month after the course: 1230€
• Total cost for course and two months of living in Barcelona: 4310€ + flight costs
• If you need a long-term student visa: 8510€ + flight costs.

There are lots of great restaurants where a dinner will set you back between 20€ and 30€, and you’ll have plenty left over for grocery shopping.

We can’t emphasise enough how easy it is to have a good time in Barcelona for free, but 120€ a week should be enough to go out and enjoy Barcelona's nightlife and culture.

Big spender budget

• Early bird course price: 1650€
• Single bedroom flat via an agency: 1500€ + 1500€ security deposit
• One month of livings costs during the course: 1000€
• Rent, living, entertainment costs for one month after the course: 2500€
• Total cost for course and two months of living in Barcelona: 8150€ + flight costs
• If you need a long-term student visa: 12,350€ + flight costs.

Most of our students come to Barcelona with far less in savings, but if you really want to push the boat out then this is more than enough money for an easy start to Barcelona life.

With a big budget you won’t need to worry about bringing packed lunches to work, and you’ll be able to treat yourself to really fancy restaurants.

Barcelona has no shortage of things to spend money on — festivals, music events, beach days, and good bars everywhere. That said, teaching English isn’t a get-rich-quick job. Most new teachers aren’t here for luxury, but for the experience and the lifestyle. If you come with some savings, you’ll have more freedom at the start and less pressure while you get set up.

And if you still want to reduce costs…

The lowest workable budget for the entire experience is in the region of 2600€ + flights. There are a few things you can do to reduce start-up costs in Barcelona:

• Find a flat with a lower security deposit or no deposit.

Using popular Barcelona Facebook pages such as Barcelona Rentals or Barcelona Housing

• Find a job immediately after the course.

This is entirely realistic, in fact most graduates start to work within a week or two of completing the course. The budget in the table assumes you don’t earn any money for two months.

• DIY fun.

Cook all your own food and limit weekend fun to supermarket beers enjoyed on the beach!