Spain and Portugal are neighbours on the Iberian Peninsula, both have been in the European Union since 1986 and are in Schengen and the eurozone, and both attract remote workers with their warm climate. But the conditions for moving there differ noticeably: the income threshold for the nomad visa, the fate of the “golden visa”, the time to citizenship and the tax regimes for new residents. Below is a comparison on the parameters that decide where it is easier to get a residence permit and where it is better to live.
Spain or Portugal: a comparison for moving
| What we compare | Spain | Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| Digital nomad visa | income from €2,849 a month; applying from Spain gives a residence permit for up to 3 years straight away | income from €3,680 a month — four minimum wages (€920) |
| Passive income residence permit | from €2,400 a month, no right to work | D7 visa: from €920 a month and savings for about a year |
| Golden visa | abolished from 3 April 2025 | still exists, but without buying property: investment in funds from €500,000 |
| Permanent residence | after 5 years | after 5 years |
| Citizenship | after 10 years; Russians declare that they renounce their previous citizenship | after 10 years for citizens of countries outside the EU and the Portuguese-speaking community — under the law in force since 19 May 2026 |
| Tax regime for new residents | Beckham Law: 24% on income up to €600,000 for six years | IFICI: 20% on income from qualified work for 10 years, for a narrow range of professions |
| Minimum wage, 2026 | €1,221 a month, 14 payments | €920 a month, 14 payments |
Where it is easier to get a residence permit
For remote workers Spain is easier: the income threshold for the nomad visa is lower, and when you apply from inside the country the residence permit is issued straight away for up to three years, with no intermediate visa. Portugal’s D8 visa requires a higher income, but it is also accessible to freelancers and well-paid employees. More on the Spanish programme in our guide to the digital nomad visa in Spain, and on other countries in our overview of which countries issue digital nomad visas.
For those living on passive income Portugal is formally easier: the D7 visa threshold is tied to a single minimum wage, while the Spanish non-lucrative residence permit requires several times more. For investors there is a route only in Portugal: Spain’s residence-by-investment programme is closed.
Where citizenship comes faster
After the 2026 reform the difference has almost disappeared: in Portugal, citizens of countries outside the European Union and the Portuguese-speaking community now also need 10 years of legal residence, and the period is counted from the date the first residence card was issued. In Spain the general period is 10 years, but Russians declare that they renounce their previous citizenship when naturalising; how this works in practice is explained in the article dual citizenship in Spain.
Where it is cheaper to live
According to Eurostat data for 2025, the overall price level for household consumption is lower in Portugal than in Spain: 85.3% of the EU average against 91.1%. But food and non-alcoholic drinks, on the contrary, are cheaper in Spain — 95.3% of the EU average against 102.0% in Portugal. Salaries in Portugal are lower, so the difference is especially noticeable for those living on local income. A budget for living in Spain, item by item, is in our breakdown of how much money you need to live in Spain.
The Portuguese and the Spanish: what is the difference
- Language. Portuguese and Spanish are related but different languages. You can often understand written text in the neighbouring language; speech is considerably harder.
- Size of the country. Spain has about 49.8 million inhabitants, Portugal about five times fewer. Hence the difference in the choice of cities and in the job market.
- Time zone. Portugal is an hour behind mainland Spain: it is an hour earlier in Lisbon than in Madrid.
- Regions. Spain is a country of autonomous communities with their own languages and tax features, from Catalonia to the Canary Islands; Portugal is more centralised.
What to choose
If you work remotely and want to get a residence permit for several years quickly, Spain usually comes out ahead. If you live on a modest passive income or are prepared to invest, the conditions are easier in Portugal. For families with children and those planning to work on the local job market, it is worth comparing specific cities, schools and salaries — the difference depends more on these than on the country.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better for living: Spain or Portugal?
It depends on your route. Spain usually suits remote workers better: the nomad visa threshold is lower, and when you apply from inside the country the residence permit is issued straight away for up to three years. For living on a modest passive income and for investment, the conditions are easier in Portugal.
Where is it easier to get a residence permit: Spain or Portugal?
For remote workers — in Spain, where the nomad visa income threshold is €2,849 a month against €3,680 in Portugal. For those living on passive income — in Portugal: the D7 visa threshold starts at €920 a month.
Where is citizenship faster?
After the 2026 reform the periods are equal: in Portugal citizens of countries outside the EU and the Portuguese-speaking community need 10 years of residence, and in Spain it is also 10 years.
Where is it cheaper to live: Spain or Portugal?
Overall in Portugal: the price level there is 85.3% of the EU average against 91.1% in Spain, according to Eurostat data for 2025. But food and non-alcoholic drinks are cheaper in Spain.
How do the Portuguese differ from the Spanish?
Above all in language: Portuguese and Spanish are related but different. Portugal has about five times fewer people, is an hour behind mainland Spain and is more centralised.
Sources
- Eurostat — price level indices, 2025.
- INE — population of Spain as of 1 July 2026.
- Portuguese Nationality Law (Lei Orgânica n.º 1/2026) — analysis of the changes.
