17/11/2025
5 Mistakes I Would Never Repeat When Moving to Barcelona
1. Assuming Barcelona is like the rest of Spain
I arrived thinking I'd pick up "Spanish" and blend in. Turns out, Catalan is everywhere, signs, schools, the pharmacy. Not learning basic Catalan left me feeling excluded. It's not just a language; it's an identity and culture. Respect that from day one.
2. Underestimating how long admin takes
NIE appointment? Good luck. Padrón? Queue at 7am. Renewing my boys' NIEs in 2017? Queue at 2am outside the comisaría (true story). Still waiting for DELE results since October.
Think you can knock it out in a week? Three months later, you might still be chasing paperwork. Build in way more time and maybe hire a gestor.
3. Renting the first flat I saw on Idealista
We were desperate. Didn't ask about noise, heating, or whether the landlord would fix anything. Spoiler: they wouldn't. Didn't research if the agent was legit. Court battle for our deposit lasted 1.5 years. Take your time. Get it in writing. Make sure your deposit is registered with Incasol.
4. Thinking I'd make friends at the gym
I wasn't prepared for how hard building community is when you're new and don't speak the language well. I wish I'd joined something structured earlier. Loneliness hits differently far from home.
Also, it's ok to make friends with other internationals. I haven't achieved the depth of friendships I have back home, and I miss that but also weirdly ok with that too (more on this in a future post).
5. Not getting support before I needed it
I thought I could tough it out - I chose to be here. But culture shock, homesickness, and constant stress wore me down. I needed an international therapist who understood.
Many don't realise therapy could help from day one. Talking to someone who gets living abroad saves months of struggling alone.
Moving abroad is exciting. It's also messy, frustrating, and emotionally complex.
If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed since the move, therapy can help. At Therapy in Barcelona, we're English-speaking international therapists living it too.
📍 In-person in Eixample, or online across Europe
Book a free discovery call. www.therapyinbarcelona.com