Portugal vs Spain digital nomad visa: which should you choose?
They are the two most-wanted nomad bases in Europe, and the choice is closer than the hype suggests. Spain's Telework Visa asks for less income and moves faster; Portugal's D8 is the classic route for people who want to settle. Here is the honest head-to-head, with every figure pulled from each country's official source.
Side by side
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | 🇪🇸 Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Visa | D8 Digital Nomad Visa | International Teleworking (Digital Nomad) Visa |
| Monthly income | €3,680/month (4× minimum wage) | ≈€2,850/month (200% of minimum wage) |
| Savings to show | ~$11,900 | Not specified |
| Application cost | ~$300 | ~$190 |
| Processing time | 30–60 days (often longer with AIMA backlogs) | ~20 working days (in-country route); 1–3 months at a consulate |
| First permit | 1 year, renewable to 5 | 1 year at a consulate; 3 years if applied for in-country |
| Tax perk | NHR closed to new arrivals in 2024 | Beckham Law: flat 24% for up to 6 years |
| Health insurance | Required | Required |
| Path to permanent residence | After 5 years | After 5 years |
Income and cost
Spain wins on the entry bar. Its threshold tracks 200% of the minimum wage, around €2,850 a month, while Portugal asks for four times its minimum wage, about €3,680 a month, and wants to see roughly €11,000 of savings on top. Spain's visa fee is lower too. If your remote income sits in the €2,800 to €3,700 range, Spain may simply be the only one of the two you qualify for.
Speed and the permit you get
This is Spain's biggest edge. Applying from inside Spain is decided in about 20 working days and hands you a three-year authorization in one step. Portugal's official window is 30 to 60 days, but in practice it runs longer because of appointment backlogs at AIMA, the immigration agency, and you start on a one-year permit you then renew. If you want to be legally settled quickly, Spain is the faster door.
Tax
Neither is the tax haven it is sometimes sold as. Portugal's famous NHR regime, the flat 20% deal, closed to new arrivals in 2024, and its replacement is narrow, so most new D8 residents pay standard Portuguese rates. Spain's Beckham Law offers a flat 24% on Spanish-source income for up to six years, which is a real saving but mainly helps salaried employees rather than freelancers. We go deeper on both in the tax-free visas guide.
Settling down: residency and citizenship
This is where Portugal pulls ahead. Both visas lead to permanent residence after five years, but Portugal is known for letting you apply for citizenship after five years of legal residence, subject to a language test and other conditions, one of the shorter routes in Europe. Spain's standard citizenship route is longer at ten years, though it drops to two years for citizens of Ibero-American countries, the Philippines and a few others. Citizenship law is complex and has been under review in both countries, so confirm the current rules before you count on a timeline.
So which should you pick?
Choose Spain if
- Your income is closer to €2,850 than €3,700
- You want to be legally settled fast (a 3-year permit in ~20 days)
- You are a salaried employee who can use the 24% Beckham tax
Choose Portugal if
- You are thinking long term and want the faster citizenship route
- You clear the higher income bar and have savings to show
- You prefer an English-friendly, lower-cost base like Lisbon or the Algarve
Not sure you clear either bar?
The free checker matches your income to every visa you qualify for, including lower-bar options across Europe if Portugal and Spain are a stretch.
Run the free visa checker →Portugal vs Spain FAQ
Is Portugal or Spain better for a digital nomad visa?
Spain has the lower income bar (about €2,850 a month vs Portugal's €3,680), is faster to process, and its in-country route grants a three-year permit. Portugal's draw is a well-known path toward citizenship after five years. The right pick depends on your income, your timeline and whether long-term settlement matters.
Which has the lower income requirement, Portugal or Spain?
Spain. Its Telework Visa asks for roughly €2,850 a month (200% of minimum wage), while Portugal's D8 asks for about €3,680 a month (four times the minimum wage), plus around €11,000 in savings.
Which digital nomad visa is faster, Portugal or Spain?
Spain. Applying from inside Spain is decided in about 20 working days and grants a three-year permit. Portugal's official window is 30 to 60 days but runs longer in practice because of AIMA appointment backlogs.
Is Portugal still tax-free for digital nomads?
No. Portugal's old NHR flat-20% regime closed to new arrivals in 2024 and its IFICI successor is narrow, so most new residents pay standard Portuguese tax. Spain offers the Beckham Law, a flat 24% on Spanish-source income for up to six years, which mainly helps employees.
Can my family come on either visa?
Yes. Both let you bring a spouse and children, with a higher income requirement per dependent. Portugal adds 50% of the base for a spouse and 30% per child; Spain adds 75% of minimum wage for the first family member and 25% for each additional one.
Income thresholds track each country's minimum wage and change yearly, and processing times vary by consulate. Figures are drawn from the official Portuguese and Spanish consular sources linked on each country guide. This is general information, not legal or tax advice, so confirm the current rules and your own situation with a qualified professional.