Living with two languages in Barcelona

Newcomers to Barcelona commonly report that:

• Both languages are everywhere. Barcelona International Welcome notes that Catalan and Spanish are the city's two official languages, with Catalan recognised as the city's own language, and that the vast majority of residents consider themselves fully bilingual.
• Catalan is the language of local institutions and schools. The same guide explains that Catalan is used by local government bodies and institutions and is the main language of education in Catalan schools.
• People switch to Spanish for them. According to the 2023 language-use survey by Idescat and the Generalitat, 91.9% of Barcelona residents aged 15 and over understand Catalan and 77.7% can speak it. In a 2022 interview with Catalan News, Catalonia's language policy secretary noted that Catalan speakers often answer newcomers in Spanish, which makes it easy to live in Barcelona without ever practising Catalan.

Language and identity

Barcelona International Welcome describes Catalan as deeply woven into Catalan culture and, for many families, an essential part of their identity. Spanish also has a strong presence: a large proportion of residents speak it as their mother tongue or main language.

Courtesy matters

In the same Catalan News interview, the language policy secretary said that locals appreciate it when newcomers learn "a little bit of the local language" as a gesture of goodwill, and warned that relying only on Spanish or English can keep newcomers in an expat bubble.

Schools

Children need no prior knowledge of Catalan or Spanish to start school, and schools have welcome measures; by the end of compulsory education pupils are expected to be fully proficient in both languages.

• Setting. Local government and schools work mainly in Catalan; Barcelona International Welcome notes that both Catalan and Spanish figure prominently in day-to-day life, and many residents also speak English.
• People. Some residents use mainly Catalan, others mainly Spanish; in the survey, 26.9% of Barcelona residents said Catalan alone is their usual language. Follow the language the other person uses, or ask which they prefer.
• Your plans. Barcelona International Welcome notes that Catalan becomes essential if you settle long term with children, to follow and support their schooling.