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: 1550€
• Find your own budget accommodation: 400€ + 400€ security deposit
• One month of living costs during the course: 320€
• Rent, living, entertainment costs for one month after the course: 720€
• Total cost for course and two months of living in Barcelona: 3390€ + flight costs

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 400€ 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: 1550€
• 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: 1080€
• Total cost for course and two months of living in Barcelona: 4060€ + 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 see you into barhopping and a bit of clubbing. There are lots of local clubs where the entrance is the price of a drink, and events like Brunch Electronik where the early release tickets are only 11€.

Big spender budget

• Early bird course price: 1550€
• Single bedroom flat via an agency: 1200€ + 1200€ security deposit
• One month of livings costs during the course: 800€
• Rent, living, entertainment costs for one month after the course: 2000€
• Total cost for course and two months of living in Barcelona: 6750€ + 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.

You’ll also be able to buy tickets for big name DJs, festival tickets, nice cocktails in swish bars, parasols and sunbeds on the beach – you’ll be living the high life! Don’t get too used to it though – the teachers we know love their jobs, but it’s rare to make megabucks as an English teacher. Still, if you have the savings you might as well start your Barcelona life off with a bang!

And if you still want to reduce costs…

The lowest workable budget for the entire experience is in the region of 2400€. 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!