Spain DNV vs Portugal D8: Digital Nomad Visa Comparison (2026)
Both let a remote worker or freelancer live in Iberia on foreign income, and both lead to an EU passport. The decision usually comes down to tax: Spain's Beckham Law offers a flat 24% for new arrivals, while Portugal's post-NHR IFICI is narrower. Income bars and client rules differ too. Here's how they stack up.
Side by side
| Visa | Income bar | Work allowed | Duration | Path to PR | Citizenship | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇪🇸 Spain DNV | ~€2,650/mo from non-Spanish employer (+75% spouse / +25% per child) | Foreign employer only | 1-3yr renewable to 5y | 5 years | 10y (2y Latin Am/Sephardic) | €100 fee + lawyer optional |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal D8 | ~€3,480/mo (4× Portuguese minimum) | Foreign employer only | 4mo → 2yr → 3yr | 5 years | 5 years | €90 visa + lawyer ~€1,500 |
The details
🇪🇸 Digital Nomad Visa — Spain
Income: ~€2,650/mo from non-Spanish employer (+75% spouse / +25% per child) · Processing: 20-45 days (fast track) · Cost: €100 fee + lawyer optional
Path to PR: 5 years · Citizenship: 10y (2y Latin Am/Sephardic)
Pros
- Beckham Law tax regime 24% flat
- Apply in-country as tourist
- Family included (+75% spouse, +25% per child)
Trade-offs
- Must prove 3yr employment history
- Cannot have >20% Spanish clients
- Hacienda audit risk
🇵🇹 D8 Digital Nomad Visa — Portugal
Income: ~€3,480/mo (4× Portuguese minimum) · Processing: 4-6 months · Cost: €90 visa + lawyer ~€1,500
Path to PR: 5 years · Citizenship: 5 years
Pros
- Citizenship in 5yr
- Family included
- EU residency rights
Trade-offs
- 4× higher income bar than D7
- AIMA backlog 9-18mo
- No NHR tax benefit anymore
Model both against your own numbers
GoThere runs your real income and family size against every visa's threshold, then tracks the document checklist for the one you choose.
Related
All passive-income visas · All digital nomad visas · Moving to Spain · Moving to Portugal