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Choosing between McKinsey Madrid and London – any insights?

Hi everyone,

I hope you're all doing well!

I'm currently considering applying to McKinsey and would love to hear your thoughts on something that's been on my mind. I’m trying to decide between targeting the London or Madrid office and I’m feeling a bit torn.

While I'm drawn to Madrid for its lifestyle, weather, and cultural familiarity, I have some concerns. I'm worried that the work-life balance might not be as strong as expected and that the office could feel more regional than international, which is something important to me in terms of exposure and long-term growth as I am not Spanish and I want to fit in within the work place. 

On the other hand, London seems more globally connected and professionally structured, but I'm not sure it aligns as well with my personal preferences and lifestyle.

Has anyone had experience working in either of these offices or faced a similar decision? I’d really appreciate any insights or advice you’re willing to share. What would be your gut advice? 

Thanks in advance

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Udayan
Coach
am 28. Juli 2025
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

Hi,

The realistic answer to your question is where do you have the best shot at getting in. Both offices are great and yes both have slightly different focuses depending on the client sector and need. 

In order to decide which is best you need to answer the following

  1. For which office have I gone to the target University (e.g., OxBridge for London)
  2. For which office can I leverage my network to get a referral from a partner
  3. If experienced hire - for which office is my work experience most relevant (for example London does a lot of work in finance and healthcare - if you have worked on the types of problems they solve that is a huge plus)
  4. Where can I show the strongest connections? (If you are from Spain then it is easier to talk about why Madrid is a good office for you etc.) - most offices do not consider people without a strong social base in the region.

 

Best,

Udayan

Hagen
Coach
bearbeitet am 29. Juli 2025
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 9+ years consulting, interviewing and coaching experience

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

  • First of all, I think you are overthinking the situation. The most important factor for you is whether you would be happy to spend most of your weekends in one city or the other.
  • Moreover, I would strongly advise you to also keep in mind whether you actually have any form of affiliation with the office, because without it, your chances will be significantly lower.
  • Lastly, contrary to what other coaches have said, while there may be rumors among junior consultants about one or the other office or country, neither is more or less important. I have many well-respected people in consulting in my personal network in both of these countries and offices.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare your application files, for your upcoming McKinsey pre-interview assessment and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Sarah
Coach
am 28. Juli 2025
Ex-McKinsey EM in London, foreign student with no prior consulting internship experience

Hi there, having been at the London office I would personally suggest the London office as

1) London is generally regarded as the "2nd most prestigious" office behind new york due to its strategic importance - this will make it easier for you to transfer offices if you wanted to in the future

2) London also generally has better WLB than Madrid

Mariana
Coach
am 29. Juli 2025
xMckinsey | Consulting and Tech | 1.5h session | +200 sessions | Free 20-min introductory call

Hi there,

You mentioned that the “work-life balance might not be as strong as expected” for Madrid and “I'm not sure it aligns as well with my personal preferences and lifestyle” for London.

First: What are your realistic WLB expectations and personal preferences? 
Second: With that in mind, reach out to consultants that are currently in these offices and schedule a coffee chat. That will be the most direct and up to date way to solve this doubt.

Also, consider that London is one of the most challenging offices to get in due to the strong competition.

Best,

Mari

Mihir
Coach
am 29. Juli 2025
McKinsey Associate Partner and interviewer | Bulletproof MBB prep

Hey,

I was based in McK’s London office for three years.

Based on my experience, London is more prestigious and well-connected globally (i.e., if you want to work in the U.S. or Asia, you’re much more likely to get staffed there if you are in London).

Madrid and other southern European offices have a bit of a hard rep within McK in terms of hours and how hierarchical they are. 

The catch is that London is extremely competitive, even more so than most McK offices.

That being said, we’re talking about minor differences. They’d both be great places to start a consulting career. I’d suggest applying to the office that you have a better connection to in terms of education and work experience. 

It’ll be extremely hard to get through if you have no connection to the office, unless you have a referral

Evelina
Coach
bearbeitet am 29. Juli 2025
EY-Parthenon (7 years) l BCG offer holder l 97% success rate l 10% off first session l free 15' intro call l LBS

Hi there,

Here’s a concise breakdown to help you think through the trade-offs:

Madrid – Lifestyle fit, but more local
If you value lifestyle, culture, and a warmer pace of life, Madrid scores high. However, it can feel more regional in scope, and as a non-Spanish speaker, you might face integration challenges. The international exposure may be more limited depending on the client mix.

London – Global hub, faster pace
London offers broader exposure, more structured development, and access to truly global projects. But it's also more competitive, intense, and expensive — with a pace that may not suit everyone’s lifestyle.


If your priority is long-term international career growth, London is likely the stronger platform. But if lifestyle and cultural comfort are core to your values — and you're open to navigating local nuances — Madrid can be a fulfilling choice.

Consider applying to both, and let conversations with consultants in each office help guide your final call.

Happy to help you prep – feel free to reach out.
 

Best,
Evelina

vor 24 Std
#1 Rated McKinsey Coach | Top MBB Coach | Verifiable success rates

Your perception of the offices aligns with mine. 

Personally, I would go for London, but that shouldn't influence your decision.

Try to think where you would want to be based mid to long-term and choose depending on this. 

Also, try to have a chat with a few people from each office to get a vibe of how things are.

Best,
Cristian

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