The Barcelona International Welcome Desk assists over 1,200 people annually
Three years after it was launched, Barcelona’s public service for international talent is now a well-established initiative, serving over 3,140 users and providing 11,629 consultations to individuals of 123 nationalities.
The Barcelona International Welcome Desk has become the go-to service for talent in the city’s strategic sectors. It closed out 2024 with more than 1,200 requests processed, a slight increase compared to 2023 and three times the figure from its first year of operation.
This service is designed to welcome and support international talent, enabling individuals to reach their full professional and personal potential in the city. Since its launch in 2022, it has assisted 3,142 users and provided more than 11,600 consultations.
Who uses the Welcome Desk?
Under-30s make up 47% of users, while 36% are between 30 and 40. A total of 95% hold a university degree, and 58% come from outside the European Union.
The main reasons for moving to Barcelona are to work in a highly skilled position (29%) and to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate degrees (28%). In 2024, there was a threefold increase in the number of researchers, who also became the third-largest group using the service.
User support is provided by appointment: either in person from the office in the Mediatic building in the 22@ district or online via video call. This has enabled 15% of users to contact the Welcome Desk from their home country before arriving in the city.
Services requested include information about the city and key procedures upon arrival, guidance on immigration law, and assistance registering as a city resident.
Increased collaboration with the business ecosystem
The Welcome Desk is supported by the Barcelona International Welcome website, which offers practical information about the city, essential procedures upon arrival, and a calendar of activities to help integrate international talent into city life.
This service is an initiative led by the Barcelona City Council through Barcelona Activa, in collaboration with the Spanish Government’s Sub-delegation in Barcelona, Barcelona Global, 22@Network Barcelona, ACCIÓ (the Government of Catalonia’s agency for business competitiveness), and the Mobile World Capital Barcelona Foundation.
In 2024, four new organisations representing Barcelona’s business, technology, and innovation ecosystem joined the collaboration network: Tech Barcelona, Biocat, Barcelona Health Hub, and the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology.
