Spain has been ranked as the best nation for digital nomads by our Global Intelligence Unit, while Portugal offers a 15% to 20% cheaper cost of living, and less additional income required for dependents. Both nations mix affordability, infrastructure, and EU access with digital nomad communities in major cities.
The specifics of their Digital Nomad Visas, such as eligibility requirements, tax implications, and digital infrastructure, can significantly impact your experience of living and working in these countries.
This article explores the main differences between the Spain vs Portugal Digital Nomad Visas, comparing the benefits and potential drawbacks to help digital nomad visa holders decide which Iberian nation best aligns with their professional and personal goals.
Spain vs Portugal Digital Nomad Visa: Key Takeaways
⚠️ Portugal Nationality Law Changes 2026
In May 2026, Portugal's president, António José Seguro, approved several amendments to the Nationality Law that affect long-term residency permit holders. The most significant change requires that most nationals have 10 years of legal residency and 7 years for EU and CPLP citizens before becoming eligible for citizenship.
These changes are now in force. However, the updated Nationality Law does not affect the time required for permanent residency, which remains 5 years.
For the latest information regarding these changes, read Portugal Nationality and Citizenship Changes 2026.
Digital Nomad Visa Overview: Spain and Portugal
Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa
The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is similar to a full employment visa. It grants temporary residency rights to non-EU/EEA foreigners for up to one year, provided they are employed and meet the income requirements, have medical insurance, and hold a valid passport. Sometimes referred to as the “Spain Remote Work Visa,” the digital nomad visa in Spain is specifically aimed at individuals who work remotely in the digital sphere.
Until recently, digital nomads could only work for companies and clients outside Spanish territory. However, that has since changed, and you can work for a company based in Spain, provided that this work accounts for no more than 20% of your total professional activity.
Another advantage is that Spain topped the rankings of our Global Intelligence Unit’s Global Digital Nomad Report. Through a combination of the digital nomad visa’s benefits and the quality of life the country provides, Spain scored first for visa benefits, third for tech and innovation, and sixth for quality of life. Additionally, Spain is one of only three countries that grant direct access to citizenship for time spent as digital nomads.
Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa
The Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, officially known as the D8 Visa Program, was launched by the Portuguese government in 2022. The visa is intended for non-EU/EEA remote workers who want to live and work in Portugal for up to one year while continuing their employment with companies outside the country.
This allows them to work from anywhere in the country, whether in a co-working space, a café, or the comfort of their home. As a D8 Visa holder, you can also travel freely within the Schengen Area, which comprises 29 European countries, for up to 90 days within 180 days. Portugal is also a highly sought-after country for digital nomads, as it ranks 6th on the Digital Nomad Report.
Spain vs Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Benefits
Benefits of Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa
Extended Stay: Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa enables remote workers to reside and work in Spain for a prolonged period.
Family reunification: This Spanish visa provides the opportunity to bring along family dependents.
Visa-free travel across the Schengen Area: Visa holders enjoy travel freedom within the Schengen Zone, comprising 29 European countries.
Tax Benefits: Digital Nomad Visa holders, if employed or entrepreneurs, can opt for more favorable taxation under the special Non-Resident Income Tax Regime.
Cultural Experience: Spain digital nomads can immerse themselves in the country’s rich cultural heritage, benefit from affordable living costs, and enjoy a high quality of life.
Permanent Residence Pathway: After five years of continuous residence in Spain, the Spain Digital Nomad visa holders may be eligible to apply for permanent residence.
Citizenship Eligibility: With a decade of continuous residence, Spain Digital Nomad Visa holders may qualify for Spanish citizenship.
Benefits of Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa
Right to live and work in Portugal: With this temporary stay visa, you can live in Portugal legally for a specific duration, typically up to one year. For comparison, the tourist visa (Schengen visa) allows you to stay in the country for 90 days every three months.
Visa-free travel across the Schengen Area: Portugal is a part of the Schengen Area. Digital Nomad Visa holders can travel visa free to other state members of the European Union.
Access to public services in Portugal: Holders of the Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa have access to public services in Portugal, including healthcare, education, and other social benefits.
Pathway to permanent residence and EU citizenship: After five years of legal residence in Portugal, digital nomads can apply for permanent residence. After 10 years of legal residence, reduced to 7 for EU and CPLP citizens, you may be eligible for citizenship.
Family reunification: The long-stay version of the visa allows for family reunification. Portugal Digital Nomad Visa applicants can bring family members, such as their spouse or dependent children, to live in Portugal with them.
Spain vs Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Income Requirements
| Family Member/s | Spain | Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant | €2,850/month | €3,680/month |
| With spouse | Add €1,070/month | Add €460/month |
| With child | Add €360/month | Add €276/month |
| With spouse and one child | Add €1,430/month | Add €736/month |
| With spouse and two children | Add €1,790/month | Add €1,012/month |
Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa income requirements
As set out by the Spanish government, applicants must meet the financial requirements, in addition to several others, to qualify. You must show proof of financial means of at least 200% of the monthly Spanish minimum wage. You must earn at least €2,850 per month (€34,200 annually), as the Spanish minimum wage is €17,094 per year.
If you want to include a spouse or a dependent in your application, you must show an additional 75% of the monthly Spanish national minimum wage. Additional documents required include:
- Proof of at least three years of work experience in your current field of activity or an undergraduate or postgraduate degree from a University, College, or Business School of prestige
- Certification of working for at least three months for a foreign company before application
Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa income requirements
The Portugal D8 minimum wage in 2026 is €920, and the minimum income requirement for the D8 Visa is four times the Portuguese minimum wage. That means you must earn at least €3,680 monthly. In addition to the earnings, you need at least €11,040 in your bank account (or a Portuguese bank account).
If applying with family members, the income requirement increases by 50% for a spouse or a parent and 30% per child. Additional documents required for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa include:
- Proof that the income is consistent and stable through bank statements for the last three to six months
- Income should come from a source outside of Portugal, such as a valid employment contract or freelancer agreements
- If you own a business that operates remotely, you will need to provide documentation proving your ownership
Spain vs Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Application Process
Spanish Digital Nomad Visa
- Book an appointment: Once you have gathered all the necessary documents, you need to schedule an appointment with the Spanish consulate in your area, and this will start the process of obtaining your Spanish Digital Nomad Visa.
- Attend the appointment: When attending your appointment at the Spanish embassy or consulate, make sure to bring all necessary documentation and be prepared to answer any initial questions that the interviewer may have after reviewing your documents. Once the documents you submit are verified by the application center, you’ll receive an email with details on how to book a follow-up appointment for the next steps.
- Wait for an outcome: If no further documentation is needed, you should receive an outcome of your digital nomad visa application in 20 working days for an in-Spain application and between 15 and 45 days via consulate abroad. If your Spanish Digital Nomad Visa application is declined, you can appeal it within one month of receiving the notification. You should send your appeal to whomever sent you the refusal.
Alternatively, you can apply for the visa while traveling in Spain as a tourist. You apply directly in Spain, and once the application is granted you may obtain a residence permit valid for up to three years.
Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa
- Book an appointment: After you’ve gathered the required documents and completed the National Visa application form, you must book an appointment through VFS Global, which acts as an agent for local Portuguese embassies and as the official partner of the Government of Portugal.
- Attend the appointment: You will need to personally visit the consulate or application center for your fingerprints and photo to be taken on behalf of AIMA and submitted as biometric information.
- Wait for an outcome: It typically takes 60 days for your visa to be processed, and you can track the progress of your Digital Nomad Visa application online with the reference number given to you. Upon visa approval, your passport and Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa can be collected from the place where you applied, or you can have them sent to you via secure post.
- Attend AIMA appointment: When your visa is approved, you’ll be given a date, time, and location for your appointment with AIMA in Portugal, which takes about an hour. This appointment is to register you as a Portuguese resident and your biometric information will be checked for the issuance of your residency card.
Spain vs Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Cost
To get a Digital Nomad Visa in Spain, you must pay a consular fee of around €90. This can vary depending on where you apply and the local currency exchange rate. In addition to that, there is also a €9.84 fee for obtaining your NIE number, €73.26 for the residence permit (application in Spain), and €16.08 for issuing a residency card.
Similarly in Portugal, the cost for the Digital Nomad Visa application is about €90 for the long-stay residency visa and €70 for the short-stay visa. As with Spain, this can vary depending on where you apply and the local currency exchange rate.
The issuance of the residency permit upon approval is €170, bringing the Digital Nomad Visa cost to around €260, excluding additional fees for getting a NIF or document authentication.
Digital Nomad Visa Differences Spain vs. Portugal: Processing Time
After submission, it can take between 20 working days for an in-Spain application and up to 45 days via consulate for your Spanish Digital Nomad Visa application to be approved. It takes about a week or two to also get your NIE number and find a rental property, but these are not compulsory when applying for the Digital Nomad Visa.
The Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa processing timeline varies depending on the country from which you’re applying, but typically, initial visa applications take about 60 days to be reviewed and approved.
When you receive your Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, you will also be allocated an appointment date with AIMA to obtain your residence permit. Scheduling an appointment can take upwards of four months. Once your appointment is concluded, you should expect your residency permit to be delivered within 90 days.
Spain vs Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Financial and Tax Benefits
Spain’s tax advantages
In Spain, you will be considered a tax resident if you spend more than 183 days in the country within a calendar year or if your main professional activities or economic interests are based in Spain. Tax residents are subject to tax on their worldwide monthly income.
Spain has a special tax regime for expatriates, commonly known as the “Beckham Law.” This law allows qualifying individuals to be taxed as non-residents, paying a flat rate of 24% on their Spanish-sourced income up to €600,000 (as of the last update) and 47% on income above this threshold.
In addition to income tax, it is important to consider social security obligations. If you work for a non-Spanish company but live in Spain, the situation can be complex, and you may need to make contributions in Spain, depending on bilateral agreements and your specific circumstances.
Portugal’s tax advantages
When working as a digital nomad in Portugal, you’re subject to the same tax obligations as other residents. The tax system operates on a self-assessment basis, meaning it’s your responsibility to calculate and fulfill your tax obligations.
The Portuguese tax year spans from January to December, and personal income tax can reach up to 48%. The NHR is closed, but its successor, IFICI, which offers a 20% flat rate for qualifying highly skilled professions, up to 10 years, is live and relevant to D8 applicants. It is important to note that this regime does not have the same blanket eligibility as the old NHR.
Portugal has over 70 Double Taxation Agreements, including with the US, UK, and Canada, which help prevent double taxation. This allows digital nomads to claim foreign tax credits or allocate taxing rights to the country of residence or source of income. If you’re a US citizen abroad, you may be eligible for the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, allowing you to exclude up to $132,900 of foreign-earned income from US taxation, according to the IRS.
Spain vs Portugal D8 Citizenship and Residency Options
Spain Digital Nomad Visa path to citizenship
The Spain Digital Nomad Visa is initially valid for one year. Successful remote workers may convert their Digital Nomad Visa into a temporary residency permit, valid for up to three years upon their arrival in Spain.
Once holders of the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa have obtained their renewable residency permit, they can extend the validity of their temporary permits for an additional two years upon renewal, allowing the Digital Nomad Visa to be valid for up to five years.
After continuously living in Spain for five years, you may be eligible to apply for a permanent residence permit card. Citizenship may be obtained after ten years of residence if all the requirements are met, including the minimum income.
Portugal’s D8 Visa path to citizenship
Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa comes in two categories: a short-stay visa and a residency permit. The short-stay visa is aimed at remote workers who want to stay temporarily in Portugal for up to one year. It affords all the benefits of the visa and gives you enough time to decide whether to remain in the country or not.
If you seek Portuguese citizenship, you must first apply for the temporary residence permit, which is valid for two years and can be renewed for another three years. After five years, you must apply for permanent residency, and five years after that (2 years for EU and CPLP citizens), you can apply for citizenship.
Living in Portugal vs Spain: Which is Better?
Living in Spain as a digital nomad
Living in Spain as a digital nomad offers a mix of work and leisure. The country’s diverse cities, such as Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia, provide strong digital infrastructure, numerous coworking spaces, and a vibrant expat community. Spain’s relatively low cost of living, compared to other Western European countries, makes it an attractive option for many remote workers.
However, navigating Spain’s bureaucracy can be challenging, especially when securing visas or dealing with local administration. Learning some Spanish is also essential for integrating into daily life, as only some people speak English. Overall, Spain offers digital nomads a dynamic environment with a balance of professional opportunities and a rich, leisurely lifestyle.
Living in Portugal as a digital nomad
Living in Portugal is marked by a unique blend of traditional charm and modern amenities, making it an attractive destination for expatriates, retirees, and digital nomads. The country offers a diverse lifestyle that balances relaxed coastal living with vibrant city life, especially in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve.
Portugal consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in the world, with low crime rates when compared to other European countries. The cost of living can vary significantly depending on the region. Lisbon and Porto, the largest cities, have a higher cost of living compared to smaller towns and rural areas.
However, even in these cities, groceries, dining out, and public transportation are generally more affordable than in many other European capitals. Housing costs, while rising in recent years due to increasing demand from foreign buyers and investors, remain relatively reasonable.
Top Digital Nomad Cities in Spain and Portugal
Spain’s digital nomad hotspots
Barcelona: Barcelona stands out as a top choice for digital nomads, blending a bustling urban environment with stunning beaches. The city boasts a thriving tech scene, co-working spaces, and a rich cultural atmosphere. The unique architecture of Antoni Gaudí adds to the city’s charm, providing an inspiring backdrop for work and exploration.
Madrid: Madrid, as the capital and economic hub of Spain, is a vibrant city that effortlessly blends modernity with tradition. With its extensive public transportation, diverse culinary scene, and abundance of cultural attractions, visitors can fully enjoy the city. Furthermore, Madrid offers numerous co-working spaces and networking opportunities, making it an ideal destination for remote work.
Palma de Mallorca: Palma de Mallorca in the Balearic Islands offers a refreshing alternative for those craving a blend of work and island life. With picturesque beaches, a Mediterranean climate, and a growing digital nomad community, Palma provides a relaxed setting for remote work, allowing professionals to enjoy the island’s natural beauty during their downtime.
Portugal’s digital nomad hotspots
Madeira: The autonomous island of Madeira is home to the Digital Nomads Madeira project, which is essentially an entire digital nomad village in Portugal. It’s a joint initiative set up between Startup Madeira and the government of Madeira, with the primary aim to be community benefits from the social and economic impact of attracting passionate digital nomads onto the island.
Lisbon: Lisbon attracts digital nomads from all over the world with its vibrant tech scene, affordable cost of living, and sunny climate. The city’s reliable internet, diverse coworking spaces, and rich cultural heritage provide a dynamic work-life balance. Its welcoming atmosphere, safety, and English-speaking community further enhance its appeal as a top destination for remote workers.
Porto: The second-largest city in Portugal, Porto appeals to digital nomads with its charming riverside setting, affordable living costs, and relaxed vibe. The city offers excellent coworking spaces, a growing tech community, and a slower pace of life than Lisbon. With its rich history, friendly locals, and vibrant cultural scene, Porto is ideal for remote work and exploration.
Spain vs. Portugal Digital Nomad Visa Comparison: Which One to Choose?
When choosing between the Digital Nomad Visa for Spain or Portugal, several factors come into play. Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa offers access to a diverse range of cities and landscapes, from vibrant urban centers like Barcelona and Madrid to scenic coastal areas.
The country boasts a robust digital infrastructure and a well-established expat community, which can make it easier for newcomers to settle in and find networking opportunities. However, Spain’s cost of living, particularly in major cities, can be higher compared to Portugal.
Portugal, on the other hand, has emerged as a popular destination for digital nomads due to its relatively lower cost of living, especially in cities like Lisbon and Porto.
The Portuguese Digital Nomad Visa is designed to attract remote workers with competitive tax benefits and access to the Schengen Area. Portugal also offers a laid-back lifestyle, a mild climate, and a strong digital nomad community.
Ultimately, the choice between Spain and Portugal depends on your budget, lifestyle preferences, and the type of environment you find most conducive to your work and personal life. Both countries provide strong support for digital nomads, but the experience will differ based on cultural, financial, and geographical factors.
In our latest Global Passport Index, Portugal ranks 30th overall and comes in 11th place for quality of life and 15th for enhanced mobility. However, Spain ranks 17th overall and comes in 6th place for quality of life and 2nd for enhanced mobility.
| Category | Spain Digital Nomad Visa | Portugal Digital Nomad Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Intended for | Non-EU/EEA freelancers and remote workers | Non-EU/EEA freelancers and remote workers |
| Minimum monthly income requirement | €2,850 per month (200% of Spain’s minimum wage) | €3,680 per month (4 times Portugal’s 2026 minimum wage of €920) |
| Income source eligibility | 80% of income from foreign source, no more than 20% from Spanish work | 100% of income from foreign source |
| Visa fees | €90 for application, €73.26 for residence permit, €16.08 for residency card | €90 for application, €170 for residency card |
| Processing time | 20 working days (in-Spain application); up to ~2 months via consulate abroad | 30 to 60 days typical, with possible backlog extensions as AIMA appointment scheduling can add months in practice. |
| Visa duration | 1 year at consulate abroad, or up to 3 years if applying from within Spain; renewable for 2 years; up to 5 years total either route | Temporary stay visa: 1 year, renewable. Long-stay route: 4-month entry visa converts into a 2-year residence permit, renewable for 3 years; up to 5 years total either route |
| Permanent residency | After 5 years of living in Spain | After 5 years living in Portugal |
| Rights | Live, work, study, healthcare | Live, work, study, healthcare |
| Family reunification | Yes | Yes |
| Visa free movement | Schengen Area and certain EU countries | Schengen Area and certain EU countrie |
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