Welcome!

The Mobility Support Guide for Foreign Researchers in Catalonia is aimed at providing practical assistance to any researcher - alone or accompanied by a family - who wishes to come to Catalonia for a short stay or for longer-term residence.

This Guide is intended to provide specific information on the procedures necessary for you to be able to enter and stay in Catalonia. It covers both the steps that need to be undertaken in your country of origin and the procedures that you will be required to follow once you arrive in Catalonia.

Being aware of the documentation required and the procedures to be followed means that you will be able to plan your stay well in advance, irrespective of whether you come here to work, to carry out research, to do a doctorate, with an employment contract, with a grant, for an exchange, etc.

The Guide provides clear and concise information that will be useful for anybody coming to Catalonia for the first time. This information covers a wide range of topics of interest to any foreign visitor, such as for example, the procedure for obtaining the documentation necessary to be able to reside in Catalonia, not to mention other practical matters that affect everyday life, such as the educational and health systems, and leisure and cultural options in Catalonia.

The information in the Guide is organised into three main sections: Living in Catalonia, Research and Studies in Catalonia and Culture and Leisure in Catalonia. Each section provides specific information on matters such as accommodation, schooling for children, language, residence permits, the Catalan research and innovation system, tourism, transport, the media, entertainment, etc.

As a complement to the Guide, we suggest you also get in touch with the Mobility Support Offices of the universities and research centres located in various parts of Catalonia. The services offered by these Offices include personalised support and assistance and expert help with official and legal procedures.

The Guide was prepared in cooperation with all the institutions that make up the Catalan research and innovation system, including universities and research centres and Catalan government and public bodies.

With the hope that our Guide fulfils all your expectations, we wish you a happy and fruitful stay in Catalonia, a country which is increasingly interested in attracting scientific talent.