Digital Nomad Visa in 2026: Why Portugal May Be a Better Choice Than Spain

Portugal and Spain are among Europe's leading destinations for professionals who want to work remotely while establishing residency abroad.

Both countries offer immigration pathways designed for digital nomads, allowing professionals to maintain their relationships with foreign employers or clients while legally residing in Europe.

However, although these programs share certain similarities, there are important differences regarding income requirements, proof of professional activity, application procedures, family inclusion, taxation, social security contributions, and residency maintenance.

Choosing a country should involve more than simply considering how easy it is to obtain a visa. It should also account for the legal and financial conditions that will affect the professional in the years ahead.

In 2026, Portugal offers several features that may provide meaningful advantages for international professionals, particularly those seeking long-term residency, wishing to maintain their professional activities abroad, and planning their relocation with greater predictability.

In this article, we examine the main differences between the Portuguese and Spanish programs and explain why Portugal deserves special consideration when planning a digital nomad relocation.

1. What Is a Digital Nomad Visa?

A digital nomad visa is an immigration pathway designed for professionals who work remotely using technology while maintaining professional relationships with companies or clients located abroad.

This type of program may cover employees hired by foreign companies as well as self-employed professionals who provide services internationally.

In Portugal, this immigration pathway is known as the D8 visa, designed for individuals who perform professional activities remotely for entities located outside Portuguese territory.

In Spain, there is a residence program for international remote workers, established under Law No. 14/2013, as amended by subsequent Spanish legislation.

Although both programs were created to accommodate remote professionals, their requirements and the consequences of obtaining residency are not identical.

As a result, two professionals performing similar activities may encounter significantly different conditions depending on which country they choose.

2. Minimum Income: Why Spain's Lower Requirement Does Not Necessarily Mean a Financial Advantage

One of the most noticeable differences between the Portuguese and Spanish programs is the minimum income required to apply.

Portugal: Minimum Monthly Income of €3,680

In Portugal, the D8 visa requires applicants to demonstrate an average monthly income, over the three months preceding the application, equivalent to at least four times the national minimum wage.

Considering Portugal's national minimum wage of €920 in 2026, the minimum income requirement is €3,680 per month.

Applicants must demonstrate the source and regularity of this income through employment contracts, payment records, bank statements, and other documents appropriate to their professional activities.

Spain: Minimum Monthly Income of €2,442

In Spain, the financial requirement for the principal applicant generally corresponds to 200% of the Spanish minimum wage.

Based on the 2026 reference amount of €1,221 per month, the minimum income requirement is €2,442 per month.

At first glance, Spain may appear to offer a more affordable alternative.

However, this comparison considers only the income required to submit an immigration application.

The minimum income required to obtain a residence permit does not represent the actual cost of living and working in a country.

After establishing residency, professionals may become subject to tax and social security obligations that directly affect their disposable income.

In Spain, in addition to income taxation rules, social security coverage is an important component of the immigration application process itself.

In Portugal, registration with the Portuguese Social Security system is not a specific requirement for obtaining the D8 visa.

This distinction may be particularly relevant for professionals whose activities remain exclusively connected to companies or clients located abroad.

Furthermore, income taxation must be assessed according to tax residency rules, the nature of the professional activity, and any applicable tax regimes.

Spain offers specific tax arrangements that may benefit certain professionals, but eligibility depends on meeting the relevant legal requirements.

Similarly, Portugal has its own tax rules, which must be considered when developing a financial plan.

Therefore, it would not be accurate to claim that every digital nomad will pay less tax in Portugal.

The key point is that Spain's lower income requirement does not guarantee lower taxes, reduced social security contributions, or higher take-home income.

For professionals planning to maintain international activities over several years, this analysis may be more important than the initial difference between the minimum income thresholds.

3. Proof of Professional Activity: What Are the Differences?

In both countries, applicants must demonstrate that they perform professional activities compatible with remote work.

However, the documentary requirements differ.

Portugal

To apply for the D8 visa, professionals may submit documents such as an employment contract, an employer's declaration, a service agreement, or documentation relating to self-employment.

Applicants must also demonstrate that they meet the income requirements and can perform their activities remotely for entities located outside Portugal.

The specific documentation will depend on the nature of the professional relationship.

Spain

In Spain, in addition to demonstrating remote professional activity, applicants must meet specific requirements relating to the foreign company and the professional relationship.

In certain circumstances, applicants must demonstrate that the foreign company has been actively operating for at least one year.

Applicants must also generally prove an existing employment or professional relationship of at least three months, together with evidence that the activity can continue remotely.

These requirements may create additional difficulties for professionals who recently began their activities or work with newly established companies.

In this respect, Portugal may offer a more suitable documentary framework for certain professionals who already have regular income and can demonstrate their remote work activities.

This does not eliminate the need to submit consistent supporting documentation, but it illustrates how the two programs apply different criteria.

4. Application Procedures: How Can You Obtain Residency in Each Country?

Administrative procedures should also be considered when planning an international relocation.

Portugal: Residence Visa and Residence Permit Through AIMA

In Portugal, the process normally begins with an application for the D8 visa at the competent Portuguese consulate.

After the visa is granted and the applicant enters Portugal, the necessary procedures must be completed to obtain a residence permit from the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA).

The residence permit is generally issued for an initial period of two years and may be renewed for successive three-year periods.

This framework allows professionals to organize their residency in Portugal through an immigration pathway specifically designed for remote work.

Spain: Consular Visa or Direct Residence Application

In Spain, applicants may request a visa through the competent Spanish consulate.

It is also possible to submit a residence permit application directly to the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (UGE), provided the professional is legally present in Spain and meets the applicable requirements.

The residence permit may initially be valid for up to three years, depending on the legal conditions.

Spanish legislation establishes a 20-business-day decision period for certain applications submitted to the UGE.

Although the possibility of applying directly from Spain represents an administrative convenience, choosing a country should also involve considering the obligations associated with residency after approval.

5. Social Security: An Essential Difference for Digital Nomads

Social security contributions represent one of the most important aspects of the comparison between Portugal and Spain.

This is because registration and contribution requirements can generate recurring costs throughout the residency period.

Portugal: Social Security Registration Is Not a Specific D8 Visa Requirement

Portuguese legislation does not establish registration with the Social Security system as a specific requirement for obtaining the D8 visa.

Consequently, the initial immigration assessment focuses on proof of remote professional activity, income, and the other applicable legal requirements.

This represents an important distinction from the Spanish program, particularly for professionals who perform their activities exclusively for companies or clients located abroad.

Spain: Specific Social Security Coverage Requirements

In Spain, the international remote worker program requires applicants to demonstrate their social security status.

For employees, registration with the Spanish system may be required, or applicants may need to provide documentation confirming continued foreign social security coverage when permitted under an applicable international agreement.

For self-employed professionals, the program provides for registration under the Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Autónomos (RETA), Spain's special social security system for self-employed workers.

Such registration may result in periodic contributions calculated according to Spanish regulations.

This distinction matters because the cost of maintaining residency is not limited to income taxes. Social security contributions may also represent a significant part of a professional's financial planning.

Therefore, a professional who meets Spain's income requirement may need to consider additional obligations before concluding that the Spanish program is the more advantageous option.

Portugal, by contrast, offers an immigration framework in which social security registration is not a specific requirement for obtaining the D8 visa.

6. Income Taxation: Portugal or Spain?

Taxation is another essential consideration for professionals who receive income from companies or clients located abroad.

Portugal and Spain both apply progressive personal income tax systems, but they differ in how taxes are calculated and which rules apply.

Taxation in Portugal

In Portugal, Personal Income Tax (Imposto sobre o Rendimento das Pessoas Singulares, or IRS) applies progressive tax rates that vary according to taxable income and the taxpayer's individual circumstances.

Becoming a Portuguese tax resident may create obligations to report and pay taxes on income earned abroad.

The actual tax liability will depend on the nature of the income, applicable deductions, international tax treaties, and other specific factors.

Taxation in Spain

In Spain, Personal Income Tax (Impuesto sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas, or IRPF) is also progressive.

However, its structure combines national and regional taxation components, meaning that the overall tax burden may vary depending on the autonomous community where the taxpayer establishes residency.

Spain also offers a special tax regime for certain professionals who relocate to the country, provided they meet the applicable legal requirements.

For this reason, the comparison should not be based exclusively on the highest tax rates in each country.

The Impact on Disposable Income

For digital nomads, the most relevant consideration is not simply the gross income required to obtain residency.

It is necessary to evaluate how much income will remain available after paying the taxes and social security contributions that actually apply.

An immigration program with a lower financial threshold may involve obligations that significantly affect financial planning.

Therefore, comparing Portugal and Spain requires examining effective taxation, social security requirements, and the professional's business structure, rather than focusing exclusively on the minimum income required to apply for residency.

For certain international professional profiles, Portugal's system may offer meaningful advantages.

7. International Assets and Investments: A Structural Advantage of Portugal

For professionals who own real estate, financial investments, business interests, or other assets abroad, wealth taxation also deserves attention.

In this respect, Portugal presents an important difference compared with Spain.

Portugal does not impose a general annual tax on an individual's total net wealth.

Taxes apply to certain assets and transactions, including Municipal Property Tax (Imposto Municipal sobre Imóveis, or IMI) and Additional Municipal Property Tax (Adicional ao IMI, or AIMI), when applicable.

However, there is no general annual tax imposed on the combined value of all assets and rights owned by an individual.

Spain, on the other hand, has a Wealth Tax (Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio), whose application depends on factors such as asset values, exemptions, deductions, and the autonomous community of residence.

The country also has specific taxation targeting large fortunes, subject to the applicable legal requirements.

This does not mean that every Spanish resident is subject to these taxes.

Nevertheless, the existence of these forms of wealth taxation represents an important structural difference.

For digital nomads who are also business owners, investors, or holders of international assets, the absence of a general annual net wealth tax in Portugal may represent a significant advantage for long-term financial planning.

It is important, however, to distinguish taxation on asset ownership from taxation on income generated by those assets.

Dividends, interest, rental income, and capital gains may be subject to their own tax rules.

8. Including Family Members: What Are the Requirements?

The possibility of establishing residency with family members is especially important for professionals planning a long-term international relocation.

Portugal and Spain both offer mechanisms that allow eligible family members to obtain residency, subject to the applicable legal requirements.

Portugal

In Portugal, the inclusion of family members must comply with the rules governing accompanying family members or family reunification, depending on the circumstances.

Applicants may need to demonstrate additional financial resources based on family composition and the criteria established by law.

The procedure will depend on the family relationship, the principal applicant's immigration status, and the applicable legal provisions.

Spain

In Spain, eligible family members may apply for the corresponding residence authorization.

The financial requirement increases according to the number of family members accompanying the principal applicant.

In 2026, the reference amounts are:

• Principal applicant: €2,442 per month;
• First family member: an additional €916 per month;
• Each additional family member: an additional €306 per month.

Therefore, a professional accompanied by one family member must demonstrate approximately €3,358 per month.

Family members who obtain residence authorization under this program may also engage in professional activities in Spain, in accordance with applicable legislation.

The comparison between the two countries should consider not only the financial requirements but also the appropriate procedure for each family member.

9. The Right to Work During Residency

Another important issue is whether residents may perform professional activities for companies located in their country of residence.

Portugal

The D8 visa is designed for professionals who work remotely for entities located outside Portuguese territory.

Applicants must therefore demonstrate that their professional activities fall within this purpose.

The possibility of undertaking other professional activities in Portugal must be assessed according to the residence permit held and the applicable legal framework.

Spain

In Spain, the program distinguishes between employees and self-employed professionals.

For employees, the activity supporting the residence authorization must be performed for the foreign employer.

Self-employed professionals may, subject to the applicable legal requirements, perform certain activities for Spanish companies.

In such cases, activities carried out for companies located in Spain may not exceed 20% of the professional's total activity.

Although this possibility may be attractive to certain professionals, it does not eliminate the other immigration, tax, and social security requirements.

10. Residence Permit Validity and Long-Term Planning

The duration of the residence permit should also be considered.

In Portugal, residence permits for remote professional activities are generally issued for an initial period of two years and may be renewed for successive three-year periods.

In Spain, residence permits for international remote workers may initially be valid for up to three years, depending on the applicable requirements.

However, the initial validity period is not the only relevant factor.

For professionals seeking long-term residency, it is also important to consider renewal requirements, conditions for maintaining residency, and future opportunities to obtain permanent or long-term resident status.

These procedures are governed by their own rules and should not be confused with the initial visa requirements.

Portugal offers different residence categories and mechanisms for maintaining lawful residence, allowing applicants to organize their immigration plans according to their professional and family objectives.

11. Time Spent Outside the Country: What Are the Limits?

The ability to travel and spend time outside the country is especially relevant for professionals who work remotely.

However, holding a residence permit does not provide unrestricted freedom to remain abroad indefinitely.

Portugal

In Portugal, legislation establishes rules regarding absences from national territory during the validity of a temporary residence permit.

Generally, absences exceeding six consecutive months or eight nonconsecutive months during the permit's validity period may have legal consequences, subject to legally recognized justifications.

The application of these rules must take into account the type of residence permit and the specific circumstances.

Spain

In Spain, it is necessary to distinguish between the conditions for maintaining a residence authorization, renewal requirements, and the rules governing future applications for long-term residency or citizenship.

These procedures do not necessarily follow the same physical presence requirements.

Therefore, it would not be appropriate to assume that a single absence limit applies to all holders of Spain's international remote work residence authorization.

Before planning extended periods abroad, professionals should verify the specific conditions attached to their residence permits and their future immigration objectives.

12. Quality of Life and Stability: Why Portugal Continues to Attract International Professionals

Beyond legal and financial considerations, quality of life also plays an important role in choosing a country of residence.

Portugal offers several characteristics that contribute to its appeal among international professionals, including its geographic location, climate, regional diversity, and access to other European countries.

Lisbon and Porto provide access to specialized services, educational institutions, infrastructure, and international communities.

Other regions of Portugal offer alternatives for those seeking smaller cities, proximity to nature, and different lifestyles.

For remote professionals, the ability to choose among different regions may support a better adjustment to personal and family needs.

However, the choice of location should also consider housing market conditions, available services, and individual circumstances.

Combining quality of life with appropriate legal planning can contribute to a more organized and sustainable relocation.

13. Portugal or Spain: Which Country Offers More Advantages for Digital Nomads in 2026?

There is no single answer that applies to every professional considering residency in Europe.

However, comparing Portugal and Spain demonstrates that the decision should not be based exclusively on the minimum income requirement or the apparent speed of the application process.

Spain has a lower initial income threshold and, in certain circumstances, allows professionals who are already legally present in the country to apply directly for residence authorization.

On the other hand, the Spanish program establishes specific requirements concerning professional relationships, the foreign company's business activity, and social security coverage.

Portugal offers features that may provide meaningful advantages, particularly for professionals with established international activities, business owners, investors, and individuals seeking long-term residency.

These features include the structure of the D8 visa, the absence of social security registration as a specific visa requirement, and the lack of a general annual tax on individuals' total net wealth.

These elements should be evaluated alongside the tax and administrative obligations that actually apply to each professional.

The central question is not which country requires the lowest income to obtain a residence permit, but which immigration framework provides the most suitable conditions for living, working, and organizing one's finances over the years.

For certain professional profiles, Portugal may be a particularly attractive choice, even when its initial income requirement is higher than Spain's.

Conclusion: Portugal May Offer Advantages That Go Beyond the D8 Visa

Portugal and Spain both offer opportunities for professionals who want to work remotely and establish residency in Europe.

However, the differences between their programs demonstrate that the analysis should not be limited to the initial application requirements.

Minimum income, proof of professional activity, administrative procedures, family inclusion, taxation, social security contributions, and residency maintenance are all factors that can significantly influence a professional's experience after relocating.

In 2026, Portugal offers legal and tax-related characteristics that may provide meaningful advantages for certain digital nomads, particularly those with international professional activities, diversified assets, or an interest in establishing long-term residency.

Therefore, before beginning the application process, it is advisable to assess not only the possibility of obtaining a visa but also the legal and financial consequences associated with residency.

The best choice is not necessarily the country with the lowest income requirement or the seemingly simplest application procedure, but the one that provides the most suitable conditions for each applicant's professional, financial, and family circumstances.

Legal Assistance for Portugal's D8 Digital Nomad Visa

Rafaela Barbosa Advocacia Internacional provides legal assistance to clients of different nationalities interested in establishing residency in Portugal, including remote professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, and families.

Our services include immigration eligibility assessments, document guidance, visa application preparation, and legal assistance with residence permit procedures before the competent Portuguese authorities.

Rafaela Barbosa Advocacia Internacional

Specialists in immigration, Portuguese nationality, and international mobility.

Portugal | Brazil | Italy

Phone: +351 913 158 360

Email: contato@rafaelabarbosa.com

Website: www.rafaelabarbosaadv.com

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