Portugal's NHR regime is gone for new applicants as of January 2024. Any Reddit post or blog comparing these two visas that mentions NHR as a Portugal advantage is outdated and will cost you if you plan around it.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa
Spain's digital nomad visa requires proving income of at least 200% of Spain's minimum wage, currently around 2,646 EUR per month gross, and your employer or clients must be based outside Spain for at least the prior three months. The headline tax benefit is the Beckham Law, which lets qualifying nomads pay a flat 24% on Spanish-source income up to 600,000 EUR for up to six years instead of the standard progressive rates that reach 47%. Processing times at consulates range from six weeks to four months depending on the post, and applicants report that documentation requirements are strict: apostilled criminal records, employer letters, and proof of health insurance are non-negotiable. For a deeper look at how this visa stacks up against Spain's non-lucrative option, see Digital Nomad Visa vs Non Lucrative Visa Spain.
Portugal Digital Nomad Visa
Portugal's digital nomad visa, technically the D8, requires showing income of at least four times the Portuguese minimum wage, currently around 3,280 EUR per month. The application is split into two stages: a temporary stay visa issued abroad valid for four months, then conversion to a two-year residence permit inside Portugal. Portugal scrapped the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime for new applicants at the end of 2023, replacing it with IFICI, a scheme targeting specific professions and investors rather than nomads broadly. Most digital nomads arriving now will face standard Portuguese progressive tax rates up to 48% on locally sourced income, which fundamentally changes the tax math compared to what Reddit threads written before 2024 describe. Processing at Portuguese consulates has historically been slower than Spain's, with waits of three to six months reported at busy posts like London and New York.
Which One Actually Fits Your Situation
If your priority is a legally defensible low tax rate, Spain wins outright in 2024 and beyond: the Beckham Law flat rate of 24% is still available and NHR no longer is. If you value lower cost of living and a slower pace, Portugal's Algarve or Silver Coast still undercuts Madrid and Barcelona on rent by 30 to 50%, which can offset the higher tax burden depending on your income level. Nomads whose income is entirely from foreign sources and who plan to stay fewer than 183 days per year to avoid full tax residency should model both carefully, because the visa itself does not automatically trigger full tax residency in either country, but staying longer almost always will. Families with children will generally find Portugal's school systems and international communities in Lisbon and Porto easier to navigate than Spain's equivalent, purely based on the volume of English-language infrastructure built up over the past five years.
Things people ask first.
Is the Spain digital nomad visa easier to get than Portugal's?
Spain's application process is generally considered more straightforward in terms of documentation, but consulate wait times vary widely. Portugal's two-stage process adds complexity, and slow consulate response times in the US and UK have been a consistent complaint.
Does Portugal still have the NHR tax regime for digital nomads?
No. Portugal ended NHR for new applicants on January 1, 2024. The replacement, IFICI, targets specific high-value professions and investors, not typical remote workers or digital nomads. Most nomads arriving now face standard progressive Portuguese tax rates.
What income do I need to qualify for each visa?
Spain requires roughly 2,646 EUR per month (200% of the Spanish minimum wage). Portugal requires roughly 3,280 EUR per month (four times the Portuguese minimum wage). Both figures shift when minimum wages are adjusted, so verify current numbers before applying.
Can I bring my family on either visa?
Yes, both visas allow family reunification for spouses and dependent children. Spain permits dependents to be included in the initial application. Portugal handles dependents through a separate family reunification process after the primary applicant's permit is issued.
Do these visas lead to permanent residency or citizenship?
Both do, if you maintain legal residence. Spain's path to permanent residency requires five years of continuous legal residence, and citizenship requires ten years for most nationalities. Portugal's citizenship clock starts after five years of legal residence, making it one of the faster EU citizenship routes available.
Which country is cheaper to actually live in on a digital nomad visa?
Portugal is cheaper across most categories, especially housing. Renting a one-bedroom apartment in Lisbon runs roughly 1,200 to 1,800 EUR per month in 2024, while Madrid or Barcelona runs 1,400 to 2,200 EUR. Smaller cities in both countries are significantly cheaper than the capitals.
Ready to pick a base and set up your residency correctly from day one?
The Offshore Playbook covers the full residency selection process, including how to break tax residency in your home country before you land in Spain or Portugal, and which structures pair with each visa to keep your effective rate low. gramps.chat can answer your specific situation in real time.
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