Parenting and family life

Barcelona is a welcoming and safe city for families. If you’re moving here from another country and don’t have relatives nearby, you’ll find plenty of resources to help you build your own local support network. To get started, explore the options available in your neighbourhood. 

The Catalan capital has a network of municipal child-rearing spaces for families in all districts. These centres are open to families with children up to the age of 3 and focus on providing educational support, encouraging co-parenting and building community networks. You can find out more about these places in the Pre-school education section. 

The city’s municipal play centres also offer children the opportunity to play, explore and socialise, while parents can share their parenting experiences with others. These are free public services staffed by professionals who guide activities and carefully select quality games suitable for different age groups.

Other great places to spend time together as a family are civic centres and municipal libraries, which can be found in every district of Barcelona. Both offer a wide range of recreational and educational activities. The libraries also run the Small Print programme, which encourages reading and learning activities. In addition, the city promotes a love of reading from an early age through initiatives such as the You’re 6 Years Old. Choose a Book programme and the Món Llibre children’s literature festival.

Another interesting initiative is Open Playgrounds, which allows free access to the playgrounds of participating public schools during weekends and holidays. This encourages their use for play and social interaction among children, adolescents and families in a safe, local environment.

In addition to these public resources, there are also self-run parenting groups and groups organised by private centres that offer a warm, supportive environment where you can share experiences with other families. 

Throughout the city you’ll also find public spaces, shops, cafés, businesses and play centres that make it easy to meet other families with young children. Many of these places display the yellow Family Welcome badge. You’ll find baby changing stations in the toilets of all family-oriented public places and, increasingly, in private establishments. Catalan culture and society are very family-friendly, so babies are warmly welcomed.

Communities and groups for international families 

Settling into a new city while raising or starting a family can sometimes make you miss your own culture, traditions and language. That’s why, especially when you first arrive, it can be helpful to connect with support groups and initiatives for international families in Barcelona.

Here are a few:

• Barcelona Babies & Kids is a Facebook group created by English-speaking families to share information and resources.
• Barcelona Family Life is a blog with posts on education and other useful topics for families living in the city but originally from elsewhere.
• City Mums Barcelona is a group of mothers who organise leisure activities and create opportunities to connect and share everything essential to motherhood in the city.
• Mamas in Biz Barcelona is a community that empowers and connects mompreneurs.
• Mammaproof Barcelona (available in Spanish only) shares recommendations for places, activities and resources for families in Barcelona and the surrounding area – all tried and tested by families in their own community.
• MumAbroad Spain-Barcelona offers tips and recommendations from local English-speaking families.
• Parents à Barcelone is a French-speaking family community that shares plans for enjoying life in the city.
• Oh Mother is a Barcelona-based podcast for the English-speaking family community.

If you want to keep your language and traditions alive, you’ll also find social groups from different countries that organise gatherings to celebrate festivals and customs. These spaces can help you share your culture with other families and pass on your language and roots to the younger generation. You can find out more in the Social life section.

Resources for adolescents 

Barcelona offers a wide range of resources for young people and adolescents. If you have a child over the age of 12, encourage them to visit the Joves de Barcelona website, where they’ll find information and activities relevant to their interests and needs. 

They can get advice on studying and training, especially if they’re unsure about their options or want to know more about the educational and academic opportunities available in Barcelona. The website also offers advice on volunteering and taking part in exchange programmes abroad.

From the age of 16, if they’re interested in finding a job, they can access support on how to get started, including drawing up a CV or exploring options for starting their own business. 

Another important milestone for young people is becoming independent, which often means finding a flat or room to rent. The website provides information on renting in Barcelona and details of the financial support they may be eligible for, depending on their age and circumstances.

There is also advice on health and personal well-being, including emotional support, psychological services, sexual health, and physical activity and sport. For example, the Adolescents and Families Service focuses on promoting emotional well-being and mental health during adolescence. 

Through the Aquí t’escoltem spaces, located in various districts, young people aged 12 to 20 can access individual psychological support and group educational activities. Families with adolescent children can also visit the Centre for Families with Adolescents, where they’ll find workshops, talks, training sessions and educational and psychological counselling. 

And make sure they don’t miss out on all the fun the city has to offer – from leisure activities and volunteering to cultural events and much more. Each district has a youth information point offering personalised advice. As well as visiting the website, they can follow Joves de Barcelona on Instagram and TikTok to stay up to date.

Benefits and discounts for families

In Catalonia, single-parent families and large families can apply for official recognition of their status. This recognition entitles them to a range of benefits and discounts. Click on the links to find out how to apply for a large family certificate or a single-parent family certificate.

If you have a child between the ages of 4 and 16, you can apply for a T-16 card, which will allow them unlimited free travel on the public transport network within the integrated fare system in the Barcelona area. Click here to find out how to apply.

To make the most of Barcelona’s cultural offerings, the Gaudir Més programme offers residents free entry and discounts to museums, gardens and other facilities throughout the city. Find out how to register for Gaudir Més and start enjoying the benefits.