Three Years in Barcelona: A Life Update

I moved to Barcelona back in March 2022 after spending five beautiful months living in Split, Croatia. The main reason? I wanted to be with my partner—and also start the two-year residency countdown needed to apply for Spanish citizenship. Two birds, one sunny Mediterranean stone!

Now, fast forward to today… I’ve just wrapped up three whole years living in Barcelona. Honestly, it flew by. So, how’s life been? Pretty chill and steady. But instead of giving you a vague answer, here’s a little rundown of what my life has looked like these past few years:

1. Officially “us”:
One of the first things my partner and I did was register for pareja de hecho, a key step toward getting my residency. A couple of months later, we hired a lawyer to handle the whole application process. Huge relief when it got approved—I could finally live and work legally in Spain for the next 5 years.

2. Spanish lessons… kind of:
I signed up for Spanish language classes at two different schools to better connect with the culture. I can get by with English, but I didn’t want to be that expat who never even tries to learn the local language. That said… I’m still struggling. I use English for work all day and haven’t made enough time to really practice. So yeah, I’ll own that.

3. Still a travel junkie:
Travel remains one of my biggest joys. I’ve explored different cities across Spain—and way beyond. Italy? Lost count of how many times I’ve been. Germany and the Netherlands? Been there, loved that. I honestly don’t think I’ll ever give up traveling, no matter where I live.

4. Working local:
I had a chance to work at a local company here in Barcelona in a hybrid setup. It was eye-opening (and lowkey fun) working with teammates who were a whole decade younger than me. Definitely made me feel young and old at the same time!

5. Visitors galore:
Family and friends came to visit, and we had a blast playing tour guide—not just around Barcelona, but in other European countries too. It was such a joy sharing this side of the world with them.

6. Concerts without bankruptcy:
One of the absolute highlights? Seeing artists I love in concert—without having to sell a kidney to afford the tickets. Total win.

7. Getting wonderfully lost:
One of my favorite things to do? Just wandering aimlessly around Barcelona’s neighborhoods. I’ve gotten lost so many times and stumbled upon the cutest cafés, quirky shops, and hidden gems. Highly recommend getting lost on purpose—it’s part of the magic.

8. Food, glorious food:
Spanish food is a dream. I’ve officially become a vermut fan (yes, it’s a thing here), and I’ll never say no to pulpo a la gallega, croquetas, pimientos verdes, or patatas bravas. Also, pro tip: a proper café con leche should not cost more than €2. It’s basically a rule.

9. Bureaucracy? Let the pros handle it:
As much as I wanted to handle everything myself, Spanish bureaucracy is its own beast. So I learned to let go and let a lawyer deal with the paperwork. Best decision ever—especially since my Spanish is still a work in progress.

10. No regrets:
Moving to Europe—specifically here to Barcelona—has hands-down been one of the best decisions of my life. I’ve learned so much, grown in ways I didn’t expect, and built a life I genuinely love.

Last but definitely not the least, I officially became a Spanish citizen this year. How amazing is that?!

So yeah, that’s the recap of my last three years here in Barcelona. If you’re thinking of making a move abroad or just curious about what it’s like… I’m always happy to chat.