Exchange in Spain 2025: Madrid or Barcelona? Complete guide
Dreaming of an exchange in Spain in 2025? Madrid and Barcelona stand out as the main destinations for Brazilians seeking transformative international experiences. Each city offers a unique combination of culture, education, and professional opportunities that can define your future. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the essential differences for you to make the perfect choice.
Visa and financial proof processes
The visa process to study in Spain follows the same guidelines for both Madrid and Barcelona, since both follow Spanish national legislation. For exchanges lasting longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a type D student visa, which has an approximate cost of €160. Required documents include a valid passport, international health insurance, acceptance letter from the educational institution, and financial proof. The program Study and Work in Spain facilitates this entire process, guiding you through each step.
Financial proof is a crucial element for the approval of your visa, regardless of the city chosen. By 2025, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient resources to cover approximately €712 monthly for basic expenses, in addition to the monthly fees for your course. This amount can be proven through bank statements, income tax return, sponsorship letter, or proof of a scholarship. Visa processing takes an average of 30 days, but we recommend starting the process at least 3 months in advance.
Cost of living in 2025
The cost of living is a determining factor when choosing between Madrid and Barcelona. Although similar in many ways, Barcelona has a slightly higher cost, approximately 3% higher than Madrid. For an international student, the average monthly budget ranges from €700 to €1,200, depending on your lifestyle and accommodation choices. Understanding the distribution of these costs can help with your financial planning:
- Accomodation: The highest monthly expense, ranging from €600 to €1,300 in Madrid and €700 to €1,500 in Barcelona for student housing. Shared apartments are a more cost-effective alternative, especially outside of central areas.
- Food: Expect to spend between €150 and €300 monthly in both cities. Cooking at home and enjoying “menús del Día” (fixed-price meals) at local restaurants are strategies for saving money.
- Transportation: Madrid offers a student card for €20/month, while Barcelona has T-Mobilitat for €45/quarter. Both cities have excellent public transportation systems.
- Leisure and extras: Reserve around €100-200 monthly for cultural activities, outings, and small trips. Both cities offer numerous free or discounted options for students.
Job opportunities for exchange students
Work opportunities during your exchange are similar in both cities, following Spanish legislation for international students. With your student visa, you can legally work up to 20 hours a week during term time, as long as it doesn't interfere with your studies. During school holidays, it is possible to work full time. To do this, the hiring company will need to request a work permit from the foreign office, and your contract cannot exceed the duration of your visa.
The sectors that employ the most international students in both cities include tourism, hospitality, retail, and services, with Madrid offering more corporate opportunities and Barcelona excelling in startups and technology companies. An important differential is that after completing your studies, you can apply for the “Residency Permit for Job Search”, a special visa valid for 12 months that allows you to remain in Spain to seek employment. This visa is an excellent gateway for those who wish to build an international career, turning their exchange into a permanent opportunity abroad.
Cultural adaptation and climate
Cultural experience and climate are factors that will make a big difference in your daily life. Each city has a distinct personality that can significantly impact its adaptation to the new environment. Learn about the key differences you'll encounter in 2025:
- Cultural identity: Madrid represents the traditional Spanish essence, with its standard Castilian Spanish and more conservative atmosphere. Barcelona, on the other hand, has a strong Catalan identity, and it is common to hear both Spanish and Catalan on the streets, offering a more diverse multicultural experience.
- Lifestyle: The capital of Madrid maintains more traditional hours, with shops closing for siesta and late dinners. Barcelona has a more cosmopolitan and international pace, with greater flexibility of schedules and an intense nightlife.
- Clima: Madrid has a continental climate with hot summers (above 30°C) and cold winters (below 5°C). Barcelona enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters (10-15°C) and access to beaches, providing more outdoor activities throughout the year.
- International community: Both cities have significant international student communities, but Barcelona tends to be more cosmopolitan, with a greater presence of tourists and expatriates, facilitating global connections.
Spanish education system
The Spanish education system maintains a high standard in both cities, with undergraduate courses lasting 3-4 years and postgraduate courses lasting 1-2 years. The structure is similar across the country, but with important differences between the two cities.
Madrid stands out for its public universities with an excellent reputation, focusing on traditional areas such as law, medicine, public administration, and the humanities. The capital is home to a large number of research centers and specialized technical institutes, offering a more traditional and formal approach to higher education.
Barcelona is renowned for its most diverse educational system, with a strong presence of business schools and training centers in technology, design, and creative arts. The city offers the largest number of programs in English, especially in areas such as international business, tourism, architecture, and design. The academic environment in Barcelona tends to be more innovative and experimental, with teaching methodologies that often incorporate practical projects and international exchanges.
In both cities, the assessment system is rigorous, with an emphasis on formal exams and written work. International students can benefit from tutoring programs and reinforcement classes in Spanish, available at most educational centers.
Networking and future opportunities
The network of contacts that you will build during your exchange can be decisive for your professional future. Madrid, as the capital and political-economic center of Spain, offers privileged access to large national and international corporations, governmental institutions, and traditional cultural organizations. Corporate events and career fairs are frequent, facilitating formal professional connections.
Barcelona, for its part, stands out as an innovation and technology hub, housing important innovation districts and numerous startups. The city hosts important international events such as mobile technology congresses and smart city exhibitions, providing networking in more dynamic and innovative environments. Its proximity to France and other Mediterranean countries also expands the possibilities of international connections, making it especially attractive for those seeking a global career. O Digital Nomad Visa in Spain can be an excellent continuity after your study period, allowing you to legally remain in the country while working remotely.
Transportation and urban mobility
The ease of getting around is an important factor for those planning an exchange. Both cities offer efficient public transportation systems, but with distinct characteristics that can influence your daily experience:
- Metro and bus: Madrid has one of the most extensive and well-connected metro networks in Europe, with 12 lines that cover practically the entire city. Barcelona has a smaller but equally efficient system, complemented by an extensive network of modern buses and trams.
- Transportation cards: Students have access to reduced rates in both cities. Madrid offers the Youth Pass, with a fixed monthly rate for young people up to 26 years old, while Barcelona offers T-Jove, with similar discounts.
- Shared bikes: Barcelona has an advantage with its Bicing service and a more developed cycling infrastructure, favored by flatter terrain and mild climate. Madrid has expanded its bike paths, but the more rugged terrain may pose an additional challenge.
- International connections: Madrid has Barajas Airport, one of the largest hubs in Europe, with direct connections to Latin America. Barcelona offers El Prat airport, with excellent European and Mediterranean connections, as well as cruise terminals that expand travel possibilities in the region.
Cultural life and entertainment
The cultural experience is one of the great attractions of an exchange in Spain. Each city offers a vibrant cultural scene, but with its own characteristics that may define your lifestyle during your stay:
- Museums and galleries: Madrid is home to an impressive concentration of art museums, with large historical collections and international exhibitions. Barcelona stands out for its unique architecture, contemporary art and alternative cultural spaces.
- Gastronomy: The capital maintains a more traditional dining scene, with historic taverns and traditional markets. Barcelona offers a mix of Catalan cuisine with Mediterranean and international influences, as well as modern and festive food markets.
- Nightlife: Madrid is famous for its nightlife that literally doesn't sleep, with bars and clubs running until dawn. Barcelona has a more diverse nightlife scene, with options ranging from beach bars to sophisticated clubs in old industrial buildings.
- Festivals and events: Barcelona hosts international electronic and alternative music festivals, while Madrid hosts major traditional Spanish cultural events. Both offer an intense cultural agenda throughout the year, with many free or discounted options for students.
Be Easy
A Be Easy is ready to make your exchange dream in Spain a reality. Our specialized team offers full support from choosing the ideal city to obtaining a visa, finding accommodation and cultural adaptation. With personalized programs and individualized service, we guarantee that your experience in Madrid or Barcelona will be unforgettable and enriching. Contact us today for a consultation and start planning your international future!
