Interview : Working in Barcelona: The Real Questions You Should Ask Yourself
By Geoffroy de Beaucorps, CEO of Blu Selection, an international recruitment agency based in Barcelona .
This article is based on an interview originally conducted in French by Guillaume Rostand for the podcast "Es Posiblé", a show dedicated to the French-speaking community in Barcelona. Guillaume Rostand, among other roles, President of French Tech Barcelona , invited Geoffroy to share his insights on the local job market and what it really means to work in Barcelona as a French professional.
For several years now, I’ve met dozens of French professionals considering a move to Barcelona, and for good reasons: the quality of life, the weather, the sea, a creative and cosmopolitan city. I get it. But between the dream and the reality, there’s often a gap. As a recruiter specialized in international talent, I want to offer a more realistic perspective on a job market that makes many people dream… but isn’t the right fit for everyone.
Barcelona is not Paris, and definitely not Madrid
First things first: Barcelona is not the economic capital of Spain. That title belongs to Madrid, home to most headquarters of major Spanish companies. Barcelona, on the other hand, is built on a network of Catalan industrial SMEs, often family-owned and locally rooted. This means that highly "corporate" roles, such as HQ finance, strategy, tax, or international marketing, are rare here. If you’re aiming for a classic French corporate career path, you might be disappointed.
Local companies... hire local talent
Another reality: many companies here have a Catalan identity, in terms of culture, ownership, and language. Meetings often happen in Catalan, leadership is local, and so is recruitment. It’s not that foreign profiles are rejected, but most companies already find well-trained professionals within their own teams or the local market. Catalonia’s education system is among the best in Spain. As a result, hiring foreign executives, no matter how competent, is rarely a priority.
The real goldmine: international hubs
Fortunately, Barcelona is also home to another kind of structure:shared service centers of major international companies. These offices handle support or operational functions — finance, marketing, HR, customer service, IT — across Europe from a single location. Think HP, Danone, Sanofi, AstraZeneca, Capgemini, just to name a few. And it’s no longer just about call centers: these hubs now hire for complex, sometimes senior-level roles.
The tech ecosystem: a sweet spot for French speakers
Another booming area is the tech ecosystem. Many French and European start-ups or scale-ups have chosen Barcelona as their base for European operations. If you’re skilled in SaaS sales, digital marketing, or business development, and know the French market well, you’ll have a clear edge. But keep in mind: industry expertise and market knowledge are key pillars. Don’t change country, job, and sector all at once, that rarely works.
Young graduates have a shot too
To those who think it’s impossible to work here without speaking Spanish, I say: not necessarily. Some French companies in Barcelona are hiring for accounting, HR, or customer service roles focused on the French market.French (plus some English) may be enough. There are opportunities for junior profiles too. But you’ll need to target the right sectors and accept that you might have to start a little lower on the ladder.
Should you move to Barcelona for work? My recruiter’s take
This is one of the first questions candidates ask me: “Is it really worth moving to Barcelona to look for a job?” My answer is always the same: It depends on your project, your profile, and your expectations.
Barcelona is a beautiful city to live in. It offers an incredible quality of life, a unique natural setting, a vibrant international atmosphere, and a rich cultural scene. But that very appeal comes at a cost.
Barcelona attracts… but it doesn’t wait for you
People don’t just come here for work opportunities. They come because they want to live here. And that’s the reality to understand: Barcelona isn’t an expat city like London or Singapore. It’s a place where many move for lifestyle reasons, hoping to “find something” afterwards.
And companies know it. They know they can attract multilingual, qualified, highly motivated candidates, for lower salaries than in northern European capitals. The result? Intense competition and salaries that often fall below expectations.
Three realistic options to make it work
In my experience, these are the three situations where coming to Barcelona for work really makes sense:
1. You already have a job offer This is the ideal scenario. You’ve secured an internal transfer, found a job from France, or your company allows remote work from Spain. You arrive without financial pressure. In this case, settling in is easier and you can quickly enjoy the city.
2. You have a rare, in-demand, international profile If you're an expert in your field (finance, digital marketing, SaaS sales, tech, healthcare, etc.), speak excellent English, and understand the French or European market, you’ll stand out. Many companies, especially in tech and service centers, are looking for talent like you.
3. You’re ready to start from a lower level You want a change of pace or career, and you’re aware that you may need to accept a less qualified or lower-paid job than in France. If this step is part of your life project, it can be an amazing experience , but it has to be intentional.
What to avoid: changing everything at once
Changing country, industry, job, and language all at the same time? Usually a bad idea. I’ve seen many people arrive here jobless, without stable housing, with poor Spanish skills, hoping it’ll all magically work out. Sometimes it does (by luck or through connections), but most of the time it leads to frustration, and a quick return home.
Coming with a “bootcamp mindset,” ready to rebuild everything, can work. But it requires real mental strength.
Job hunt prep: non-negotiable
Finding a job in Barcelona isn’t about sending a resume on LinkedIn and waiting. You need to understand the local economy, identify truly international companies, activate your network, and tailor your application carefully.
Those who succeed are the ones who adapt to the game: it’s a global, competitive, limited market with its own codes. It’s not impossible, far from it but it requires preparation.
Checklist: Are you ready to look for a job in Barcelona?
I have a good level of professional English (spoken + written)
I know my field and/or the French market well
I’ve identified companies hiring in Barcelona
I have a network — or I’m ready to build one
I’m willing to adjust my role or salary expectations
I’m realistic about my strengths — and my limits
I’m prepared to take the time (sometimes several months)
I have a Plan B (freelance, remote work, temporary gig)
If your answer is “yes” to most of these points: welcome to Barcelona. It might just be one of the most exciting adventures of your life.
