Wickers

Hi,

I have recently been offer a job in Barcelona and wanted to get a gage on whether the package offered was reasonable or not.

The company (interior design consultancy) has offered a monthly net salary of 1,750 euro (or 35,000 annual gross) For a similar position in London, I would be expecting to earn around 35K sterling.

Accounting for the general state of the job market in Spain, can any offer any advice on if this is reasonable, or should I be asking for more??

Also, any general tips / links on moving to Spain would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

keithwalters

I don´t know about interior design, but 1750 a month is well over the typical average salary. I would guess that the offer is quite reasonable.

1200 euros a month is considered a good monthly salary where I am.

Wickers

Thanks, Keith.

Do you know if the cost of living (rent, transport, food etc..) in Barcelona is much higher than the other major cities in Spain?

keithwalters

I would say it is about on par with other cities like Madrid, Seville, etc. Which is quite a lot more than living in the country, but less than living in London.

Once you get to know the place you will be able to find good, cheap places to eat regularly - for me a couple of tapas and a drink makes a good lunch for about 5 euros.

I´m not sure about rent costs in Barcelona - in Seville 750 euros will get you a half decent 2 bed apartment in a good central area - I guess Barca is about the same. If you go further out your rent will decrease, but your transport costs will increase.

Keith

DrStarsky

35,000 annual gross in Spain should be more than 1,750 monthly net, and probably around 2,000. I live in Barcelona, the rents are more or less as Keith says. With 750 you can get a small apartment in the city (say, 60 square meters). To buy a similar apartment it will cost you at least 350,000.

Wickers

Thanks, that's useful info. The company have advised that annual salary is divided into 14 installments, with 2 paid in July and December and the remainder as monthly. On advise, I have also accounted for approximately 30% tax.

Does this sound about right?

Also, any advise on renting flats, leasing agents etc... would be much appreciated.

MnM

Hi Wickers,

Attempting to add my 2 centimos in.

My personal opinion is that €1,750 a month is not an adequate salary for Interior Design Consultancy in Barcelona, UNLESS you are a junior in your field and on your own (ie without family) and won't be doing too much socialising.

Barcelona is famous for Design Consultancy and the amounts they charge clients are astronomical.

Apartment rentals are very expensive in the city (you can always suggest that they pay your rent ontop of what they are offering!) and so is cost of living (very much like most major cities in the world). If I were you, I would definitely do some heavy negotiating......but that's just me

DrStarsky

ok, I was calculating on a 12 month basis. 1,750 for 14 months (actually the 13th and 14th will be a bit less) are roughly equivalent to 2,000 for 12 months. Sadly this is considered a good salary in Barcelona. I can't comment if it's adequate for your position. For rentals, try www.coleadministradors.com and loquo.com.

DrStarsky

ps. if a comparable job in London would pay 35k sterlings, I'd say 35k Euros is a decent figure for Barcelona. Normally the gap is bigger. You'll be somewhat better off financially in BCN.

Of course if you negotiate, it should be on the basis of prevalent salaries in BCN, not because you have a family or want to do more "socialising" (the employer can't care less).

Wickers

Thanks DrStarsky,

It has been difficult to compare the offer to other, similar positions in Barcelona (suggestions of how to do this welcome) and I have had to rely on the advise of the employer (who, unsurprisingly promises me that it's a reasonable salary!)

The 24,500 (euro, net annual) would also be supplemented by bonuses ranging between 2-4,000 net p.a.

I am fully aware that moving to Barcelona will involve a like-for-like pay cut, but it has been really helpful to hear the varying opinions and comments on cost of living.

Has anyone else moved from the UK / Australia (I've been working in Sydney for the last 3 years) to Barca??

DrStarsky

Barca is the team, the city is Barna or BCN
how old are you? do you have kids? if you are single, rent + food + bills + transportation should be around 1100 - 1300 euros/month.

Wickers

I am 28 (no kids) and my partner will be joining me after a few months. There is a possibility that the salary will have to support the two of us for her first few months in the country (she is australian and requires job / visa which is a whole other post / thread!)

We are aware that things will be tight if this turns out to be the case- just not sure how tight.

Have you lived in Barcelona before?

DrStarsky

I've been living in BCN for two years now. I think your salary, considering the bonus, will be enough for two without being too tight. You can still go to the restaurant once a week and join a gym, but you'll be able to save very little. Most spaniards college graduates make *far* less money than that at 28, even in Barcelona.

tim hortons man

30% is about right for the tax load, don't forget to add extra for private healthcare. I would also ask for the company to pay for Spanish lessons (private lessons) as well. The 14 pays is like forced savings, It's really really nice, my wife gets 15 pays, and I budget around it. Also depending on when you start for the first year the double pays may be a bit lower as you haven't worked a full year.

If your partner wants to earn extra cash I'd consider teaching English, you don't papers to teach as most angencies pay cash. The wages are a bit lower than Madrid but as a second income it won't matter as much.