The International Welcome Desk establishes itself as a key service for global talent
The Barcelona International Welcome Desk has established itself as a key service for international professionals, researchers, and students settling in the city. Designed to facilitate the arrival and integration of international talent, this service provides essential guidance on administrative procedures, legal matters, and adapting to Barcelona’s professional and social environment.
With over 3,142 users from 123 nationalities and more than 11,629 inquiries, the International Welcome Desk has become a key player in attracting and retaining international talent in Barcelona.
On February 18, the annual results presentation of the Barcelona International Welcome Desk took place, bringing together the institutions involved to assess its activity. The event was attended by representatives from Barcelona Global, from the Barcelona City Council, from Barcelona Activa, and from other key organizations working to support the integration of international professionals in the city.
The International Welcome Desk is a public-private collaboration project that was initially driven by Barcelona Global, whose vision helped turn the idea into reality. The success of this project once again highlights the importance of collaboration between public and private institutions in positioning Barcelona as a global hub for international professionals and entrepreneurs.
The data presented confirms the steady growth and increasing impact of the Welcome Desk. More than 1,200 people were assisted in 2024, slightly surpassing last year’s figures.
The profile of Barcelona International Welcome Desk users is primarily young (47% are under 30), highly qualified (95% hold a university degree), and mostly from outside the European Union (58%). The main reasons for moving to Barcelona are to work in highly skilled positions (29%) or to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies (28%).
Aditionally, in 2024 there has been a significant increase in the number of researchers coming to the city and reaching out to the Welcome Desk, with their representation nearly tripling, making them the third-largest group served by the office. This growth is the result of the International Welcome Desk’s efforts to promote and collaborate with Barcelona’s research centers. Moreover, 15% of users contacted the service remotely before arriving in Barcelona, highlighting the value of the International Welcome Desk in providing pre-arrival assistance.
The most requested services include information about the city, legal and immigration advice, and assistance with registration, all essential for transitioning to life in Barcelona.
The success of the International Welcome Desk strengthens Barcelona's reputation as an open and attractive city for international talent. Thanks to a solid public-private collaboration, the city now has a dedicated resource to support highly skilled professionals in their relocation process.
Barcelona Global’s continued support for this initiative reflects its commitment to making Barcelona not only a great destination to visit but also a city where international talent can thrive. With the inclusion of new entities such as Tech Barcelona, Biocat, Barcelona Health Hub, and the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, the Barcelona International Welcome Desk is expected to have an even greater impact.
By strengthening Barcelona's reputation as a welcoming and business-friendly city, initiatives like the International Welcome Desk help international professionals see Barcelona not just as a stop in their careers, but as their home.
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