Spain and Portugal are the two most-searched digital nomad destinations in Europe, and the choice is genuinely close. Here’s the head-to-head.
Side by side
| Item | Spain (Telework Visa) | Portugal (D8) |
|---|---|---|
| Income | ~$3,075/mo (200% of SMI) | ~$3,970/mo (4x min wage) |
| Duration | 1 yr (consulate) or 3 yr | 1-2 yr, renews to residency |
| Renewable | To 5 years | 3-yr periods, PR after 5 yr |
| Government fee | ~EUR 80-100 | Visa ~EUR 90 + ~EUR 170 permit |
| Tax regime | Optional 24% flat (Beckham) | 20% IFICI if eligible, else progressive |
| Processing | 10 working days (legal limit) | ~30-60 days + AIMA step |
Full profiles: Spain and Portugal. See it as a structured table on the Spain vs Portugal comparison page.
Where Spain wins
- Lower income bar (~$3,075 vs ~$3,970/month).
- Cleaner tax option. The Beckham regime is a flat 24% on income up to EUR 600,000 for up to six years — simple and reliable to plan around.
- Faster on paper. Consulates have a 10-working-day legal processing limit.
Where Portugal wins
- Better settlement path. The D8 leads to permanent residency and citizenship eligibility after 5 years, a well-trodden route.
- English-friendly bureaucracy and a large existing nomad community.
- IFICI (the NHR successor) can give 20% on qualifying income — though it isn’t automatic for all D8 holders.
Verdict
If your priority is income headroom and tax simplicity now, Spain edges it. If you’re playing the long game toward EU residency and a passport, Portugal is the stronger pick. Run your own numbers in the eligibility checker, and if tax is decisive, read do digital nomads pay tax?.
Income figures track local wages and change yearly. General information only, not legal or tax advice — verify on each country’s official source.