Spain vs Portugal Digital Nomad Visas in 2026: Key Differences

By Nodisea Legal Team·June 2, 2025·3 min read

Updated: 16 October 2026

Spain and Portugal both offer residence options for people who work remotely for employers or clients abroad. The right choice depends on where you want to live, your income, your work arrangements and the documents you can provide. This comparison covers Spain’s international teleworker route and Portugal’s remote-work residence route as of October 2026. Portugal also has a separate temporary-stay route.

Spain vs Portugal: the key differences

	Spain	Portugal
Income for the main applicant	200% of the Spanish minimum wage. Using the 2026 annual minimum wage, this is €34,188 a year, or approximately €2,849 a month when averaged over 12 months.	Four times the monthly minimum wage, based on average income over the previous three months. Using the 2026 mainland minimum wage, this is €3,680 a month.
Application route	Apply for a visa through a Spanish consulate from abroad, or for a residence authorisation while legally in Spain if the requirements are met.	The standard residence route begins with a remote-work residence visa, followed by an application for a residence permit with AIMA.
Duration	The consular visa can last up to one year. The residence authorisation can last up to three years and may be renewed for two-year periods.	The initial remote-work residence permit lasts two years and may be renewed for three-year periods.

These figures concern the main applicant. Family applications and individual circumstances can change the documents and financial evidence required.

What else should you check?

Spain requires evidence that the work can be performed remotely and that the applicant meets the professional qualification or experience requirement. Employees must work for companies outside Spain. Self-employed professionals may carry out up to 20% of their professional activity for Spanish companies. Health coverage and Social Security arrangements also need to be assessed for the particular case.

For Portugal, the residence route requires evidence of remote employment or professional activity for entities outside Portugal and proof of the relevant income over the previous three months. Check the current documentation with the Portuguese authorities before applying.

What about tax?

A digital nomad visa does not automatically give its holder a special tax rate. Some applicants in Spain may qualify for the special tax regime for people moving to Spain, but eligibility must be assessed individually. Portugal’s former Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) regime was repealed for new arrivals from 2024, subject to transitional exceptions. Obtain advice on your own tax position before choosing a country on the basis of tax incentives.

Which country is right for you?

Spain may be a good fit if you want to live in Spain, meet its remote-work requirements and can document your employment or client relationships. Portugal may be a better fit if you intend to live there and meet its residence and income requirements. The immigration and tax position should be checked separately in either country.

If Spain is your preferred destination, our Digital Nomad Visa Spain service explains how Nodisea’s immigration lawyers assess eligibility, prepare the evidence and assist with the Spanish application.

Legal review: Francisco Javier Theuer Carmona, immigration lawyer and member of the Granada Bar Association (ICAGR 7984).

Last reviewed: 16 October 2026