Spain NLV vs Portugal D7: Which Is Right for You? (2026)
This is the single most-asked question among Americans retiring or living passively in Iberia. Both give you a path to an EU passport. The real differences: Portugal's D7 needs far less income and lets you work, while Spain's NLV forbids all local work but offers a more established expat infrastructure. Here's the honest side-by-side.
Side by side
| Visa | Income bar | Work allowed | Processing | Path to PR | Citizenship | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇪🇸 Spain NLV | ~€2,400/mo passive (4× IPREM, +25% per dependent) | Not in Spain | 2-3 months | 5 years | 10y (2y Latin Am/Sephardic) | €600 + lawyer ~€1,500 |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal D7 | ~€870/mo (€10,440/yr) passive | Yes (including local employment) | 4-6 months | 5 years | 5 years | €90 visa + lawyer ~€1,500 |
The details
🇪🇸 Non-Lucrative Visa — Spain
Income: ~€2,400/mo passive (4× IPREM, +25% per dependent) · Processing: 2-3 months · Cost: €600 + lawyer ~€1,500
Path to PR: 5 years · Citizenship: 10y (2y Latin Am/Sephardic)
Pros
- No employer needed
- Family included (+25% IPREM per dependent)
- Path to EU passport
Trade-offs
- No work in Spain at all
- Renewal scrutinizes time outside Spain
- Costly health insurance required
🇵🇹 D7 Passive Income Visa — Portugal
Income: ~€870/mo (€10,440/yr) passive · Processing: 4-6 months · Cost: €90 visa + lawyer ~€1,500
Path to PR: 5 years · Citizenship: 5 years
Pros
- Lowest income bar in Europe
- Citizenship after only 5 years
- Work allowed in Portugal
Trade-offs
- Slow AIMA processing
- 183-day/yr presence required
- NHR tax regime ended Mar 2024
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