Meeting people on Erasmus in Barcelona: ESN, buddies and Catalan
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The quickest way to meet people on Erasmus in Barcelona is the ESN (Erasmus Student Network) section at your university. There are four: UB, UPF, UAB and UPC. On top of that, sign up for your university's buddy scheme and take a free Catalan course with the Consorci per a la Normalització Lingüística (levels A1 and A2 cost nothing). A language partner through Voluntariat per la llengua gets you a local friend outside uni.
ESN Barcelona: one section per university
ESN is a non-profit student association. In Barcelona the four sections form a federation, ESN Barcelona, as ESN UB explains. Each one runs welcome activities, trips and events for exchange students and has its own office hours.
| University | ESN section | University's own scheme |
|---|---|---|
| Universitat de Barcelona (UB) | ESN UB | CATclub and language exchange |
| Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) | ESN UPF | Catalan Landing Program and Voluntariat Lingüístic |
| Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) | ESN UAB | International Mentor programme |
| Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) | ESN UPC | Salsa'm |
The ESNcard is ESN's membership card. According to the section websites it gives you access to their activities and to discounts across Europe for 12 months. Work out which events you'd actually go to before you buy one.
Erasmus Barcelona WhatsApp groups
Plenty of WhatsApp groups for Erasmus students in Barcelona are set up by private individuals, and you can't tell who runs them. Go through your ESN section or your university's international office instead. ESN UB, for example, posts its office hours on Instagram and in its own WhatsApp groups. Ask at your welcome session how to join.
One rule worth keeping: never share your passport or bank details in a group, even to "secure" a trip or a room.
University buddy schemes
Every university pairs exchange students with local students in some way. Having someone from your faculty who knows the campus makes the first few weeks much easier.
UAB. The Mentor programme matches you with a local student from your faculty. A mentor is only assigned if at least three international students from the same faculty sign up. Registration for the first semester of 2026-27 closed on 28 June 2026, so check the page for the second.
UPC. Salsa'm has been running since 2015 and more than 7,000 people have taken part. It mixes language exchange with cultural visits and academic support.
UB. The CATclub brings international students and local volunteers together on Thursday afternoons for free activities. There's also a language exchange pool that pairs you with a Catalan speaker.
UPF. Its Voluntariat Lingüístic sets up language pairs and runs cultural trips around Catalonia.
Free Catalan courses in Barcelona
Even if your lectures are in English, you'll hear Catalan in your neighbourhood and at council events.
| Who runs it | Course | Price as of the update date |
|---|---|---|
| Consorci per a la Normalització Lingüística (CPNL) | Beginner (A1) and Basic (A2) | Free (prices) |
| UPC | Just Arrived, A1 for mobility students (25 hours) | Free |
| UAB | Intensive introductory course from the Language Service | Free |
| UB | Basic 1 (A1), 30 hours in person | €25 for mobility students, fee pending approval (2026-27 prices) |
The first time you enrol with the CPNL you have to establish your level, either with a certificate or a placement test. The next enrolment period is December 2026, for courses starting in January 2027. Details are on the enrolment page. There are two enrolment rounds, and within each one places go on a first come, first served basis.
Language partners: Voluntariat per la llengua
Voluntariat per la llengua (VxL) pairs a Catalan speaker with someone learning the language. It's a Catalan government programme run by the CPNL. Its FAQ says you need to be over 18 with basic Catalan (roughly the CPNL's Basic 3 level). You meet for an hour a week for at least 10 weeks, in person or by video call.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a good way to get to know the city beyond the student bubble. The council's Barcelona International Welcome site points to these portals:
- Torre Jussana, with calls from Barcelona organisations.
- Voluntaris.cat, run by the Catalan Federation of Social Volunteering.
- Xarxanet and voluntariat.gencat.cat, from the Generalitat.
From 16 you can volunteer in roles suited to your age. If you're 18 to 30 there's also the European Solidarity Corps.
Youth centres and information points
The council's Joves de Barcelona service has 19 points around the city. They give free advice to 12 to 35 year olds on studies, work, housing and wellbeing. The Espais Joves are youth centres with gigs, workshops and rehearsal rooms. In Gràcia there's Espai Jove La Fontana, which we cover in our Gràcia guide.
For your arrival paperwork, read our Erasmus paperwork guide. For getting around, see the T-jove guide.
FAQ
How do I join an Erasmus Barcelona WhatsApp group?
Ask your university's ESN section or international office for their official channels. Be wary of any group that asks for personal details or upfront payments.
What is ESN Barcelona?
It's the federation of the city's four Erasmus Student Network sections: ESN UB, ESN UPF, ESN UAB and ESN UPC. They organise events and trips for exchange students.
Where can I find Erasmus Barcelona events?
On the website and social media of your ESN section, at your university's welcome sessions and through programmes such as the UB's CATclub.
Are there free Catalan courses in Barcelona?
Yes. The CPNL's A1 and A2 levels are free, and the UPC and UAB run free introductory courses for their exchange students.
What is an Erasmus buddy?
A local student who helps you settle in during your stay. The UAB calls it Mentor and the UPC calls it Salsa'm.