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Portugal vs Spain for fifo workers
On cost of living, Portugal grades mixed (53 of 100) and Spain grades mixed (47 of 100) and on work and career, Portugal grades strong (85 of 100) and Spain grades strong (85 of 100). [PT C1] [ES C1] [PT K1] [PT K2] [ES V1] [ES V5] [ES K2] The table below sets Portugal and Spain side by side on every factor we have checked, and it does not rank them.
Side by side
Portugal and Spain, factor by factor.
Each grade is against the same published measure for both places, with its source and the date we checked it. Research information, not advice.
| Factor |  Portugal |  Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living | 53 of 100Mixed Price level 0.604 of United States prices (2025). Source: Price level index (GDP), Portugal. Checked 15 October 2026. | 47 of 100Mixed Price level 0.645 of United States prices (2025). Source: Price level index (GDP), Spain. Checked 15 October 2026. |
| Work and career | 85 of 100Strong Strong: a residence visa for remote work exists, and fixed broadband is 45.2 per 100 people (2024), over the 30 line. Source: Residence visa documents: remote work and retirement or passive income; Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Portugal. Checked 15 October 2026. | 85 of 100Strong Strong: both tests hold. The telework visa and the residence permit after it are a route for people who work remotely for companies or clients outside Spain, and fixed broadband is 39.2 per 100 people (2024), over the 30 line. Source: Telework (digital nomad) visa; Ley 14/2013, articles 74 bis to 76 (international telework); Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Spain. Checked 15 October 2026. |
| Visa, United States passport | 85 of 100Strong A residence visa for remote work is open without a Portuguese job offer (proof of work for employers or clients abroad is enough), with no age minimum. The income test is four times the monthly minimum wage averaged over three months: about €3,700 a month, about €44,200 a year, about US$49,500 at 1.1208 US dollars per euro (ECB, 15 October 2026), under the US$60,000 line. To be safe, have more than €3,700 a month. Holders of temporary residence for at least 5 years can request permanent residence. Source: Residence visa documents: remote work and retirement or passive income; Temporary stay documents: remote work; Guaranteed monthly minimum wage 2026; Euro foreign exchange reference rate, US dollar; Request a permanent residence permit (who can ask); Visa information. Checked 15 October 2026. | 85 of 100Strong The telework visa lasts up to one year and is followed by a residence permit of up to three years, renewable in two-year periods (Law 14/2013). It needs no job offer from a Spanish employer, has no age minimum and asks for no deposit or investment. The income test is 200% of the 2026 minimum wage, about EUR 2,400 a month (Washington consulate), about US$32,800 a year at the ECB rate of 15 October 2026 (1.1208 US dollars per euro), under the US$60,000 line. To be safe, have more than EUR 2,500 a month. It needs a degree or three years of experience and a foreign employer or clients. Source: Telework (digital nomad) visa; Ley 14/2013, articles 74 bis to 76 (international telework); Real Decreto 126/2026, minimum wage for 2026; Euro foreign exchange reference rate, US dollar. Checked 15 October 2026. |
| Visa, Canada passport | 85 of 100Strong A residence visa for remote work is open without a Portuguese job offer (proof of work for employers or clients abroad is enough), with no age minimum. The income test is four times the monthly minimum wage averaged over three months: about €3,700 a month, about €44,200 a year, about US$49,500 at 1.1208 US dollars per euro (ECB, 15 October 2026), under the US$60,000 line. To be safe, have more than €3,700 a month. Holders of temporary residence for at least 5 years can request permanent residence. Source: Residence visa documents: remote work and retirement or passive income; Temporary stay documents: remote work; Guaranteed monthly minimum wage 2026; Euro foreign exchange reference rate, US dollar; Request a permanent residence permit (who can ask); Residence visa in Canada. Checked 15 October 2026. | 85 of 100Strong The telework visa lasts up to one year and is followed by a residence permit of up to three years, renewable in two-year periods (Law 14/2013). It needs no job offer from a Spanish employer, has no age minimum and asks for no deposit or investment. The income test is 200% of the 2026 minimum wage, about EUR 2,400 a month (the figure the Washington consulate prints; Ottawa states only the percentage; a private law firm reads it as about EUR 2,800 a month, about US$38,300 a year), about US$32,800 a year at the ECB rate of 15 October 2026 (1.1208 US dollars per euro), under the US$60,000 line. To be safe, have more than EUR 2,500 a month. It needs a degree or three years of experience and a foreign employer or clients. Source: Remote work (digital nomad) visa, Ottawa; Telework (digital nomad) visa; Ley 14/2013, articles 74 bis to 76 (international telework); Real Decreto 126/2026, minimum wage for 2026; Euro foreign exchange reference rate, US dollar. Checked 15 October 2026. |
| Visa, Australia passport | 85 of 100Strong A residence visa for remote work is open without a Portuguese job offer (proof of work for employers or clients abroad is enough), with no age minimum. The income test is four times the monthly minimum wage averaged over three months: about €3,700 a month, about €44,200 a year, about US$49,500 at 1.1208 US dollars per euro (ECB, 15 October 2026), under the US$60,000 line. To be safe, have more than €3,700 a month. Holders of temporary residence for at least 5 years can request permanent residence. Source: Residence visa documents: remote work and retirement or passive income; Temporary stay documents: remote work; Guaranteed monthly minimum wage 2026; Euro foreign exchange reference rate, US dollar; Request a permanent residence permit (who can ask); Where should you lodge a visa application. Checked 15 October 2026. | 85 of 100Strong The telework visa lasts up to one year and is followed by a residence permit of up to three years, renewable in two-year periods (Law 14/2013). It needs no job offer from a Spanish employer, has no age minimum and asks for no deposit or investment. The income test is 200% of the 2026 minimum wage, about EUR 2,400 a month (the Washington consulate figure for 2026) or about EUR 2,800 a month if Canberra applies the annual minimum wage over 12 months; the Canberra page still shows 2025 figures, about US$32,800 to US$38,300 a year at the ECB rate of 15 October 2026 (1.1208 US dollars per euro), under the US$60,000 line. To be safe, have more than EUR 2,500 a month. It needs a degree or three years of experience and a foreign employer or clients. Source: Visa for digital nomads, Canberra; Telework (digital nomad) visa; Ley 14/2013, articles 74 bis to 76 (international telework); Real Decreto 126/2026, minimum wage for 2026; Euro foreign exchange reference rate, US dollar. Checked 15 October 2026. |
| Visa, New Zealand passport | 85 of 100Strong A residence visa for remote work is open without a Portuguese job offer (proof of work for employers or clients abroad is enough), with no age minimum. The income test is four times the monthly minimum wage averaged over three months: about €3,700 a month, about €44,200 a year, about US$49,500 at 1.1208 US dollars per euro (ECB, 15 October 2026), under the US$60,000 line. To be safe, have more than €3,700 a month. Holders of temporary residence for at least 5 years can request permanent residence. Source: Residence visa documents: remote work and retirement or passive income; Temporary stay documents: remote work; Guaranteed monthly minimum wage 2026; Euro foreign exchange reference rate, US dollar; Request a permanent residence permit (who can ask); Where should you lodge a visa application. Checked 15 October 2026. | 85 of 100Strong The telework visa lasts up to one year and is followed by a residence permit of up to three years, renewable in two-year periods (Law 14/2013). It needs no job offer from a Spanish employer, has no age minimum and asks for no deposit or investment. The income test is 200% of the 2026 minimum wage, about EUR 2,400 a month (the Washington consulate figure for 2026), or about EUR 2,800 if Wellington applies the annual minimum wage over 12 months, about US$32,800 to US$38,300 a year at the ECB rate of 15 October 2026 (1.1208 US dollars per euro), under the US$60,000 line. To be safe, have more than EUR 2,500 a month. It needs a degree or three years of experience and a foreign employer or clients. Source: Remote work visa, Wellington; Telework (digital nomad) visa; Ley 14/2013, articles 74 bis to 76 (international telework); Real Decreto 126/2026, minimum wage for 2026; Euro foreign exchange reference rate, US dollar. Checked 15 October 2026. |
| Safety | 75 of 100Strong Global Peace Index 2026: 7th of 163. Source: Global Peace Index 2026, overall rank. Checked 15 October 2026. | 66 of 100Mixed Global Peace Index 2026: 27th of 163. Source: Global Peace Index 2026, overall rank. Checked 15 October 2026. |
| Healthcare | 76 of 100Strong WHO UHC service coverage index 83 (2023). Source: UHC service coverage index (SDG 3.8.1). Checked 15 October 2026. | 79 of 100Strong WHO UHC service coverage index 84 (2023). Source: UHC service coverage index (SDG 3.8.1). Checked 15 October 2026. |
| Internet | 100 of 100Strong 45.24 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people (2024), above the 30 anchor. Source: Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Portugal. Checked 15 October 2026. | 88 of 100Strong 39.23 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people (2024). Source: Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Spain. Checked 15 October 2026. |
| Climate | 42 of 100Mixed Braga, the main city: 6 comfortable months a year (April to September). Source: Climate normals 1991–2020, Braga / Merelim. Checked 15 October 2026. | 33 of 100Weak Zaragoza, the main city: 5 comfortable months a year (April, May, June, September and October). Source: Climate normals 1991–2020, Zaragoza airport (WMO 8160). Checked 15 October 2026. |
| Schools | Unknown Our research doesn't cover schools yet. | Unknown Our research doesn't cover schools yet. |
| Community | 76 of 100Strong Expat Insider 2026 Ease of Settling In: 7th of 31. Source: Expat Insider 2026: Ease of Settling In. Checked 15 October 2026. | 78 of 100Strong Expat Insider 2026 Ease of Settling In: 6th of 31. Source: Expat Insider 2026: Ease of Settling In. Checked 15 October 2026. |
| Lifestyle | 69 of 100Strong Expat Insider 2026 Quality of Life: 11th of 31. Source: Expat Insider 2026: Quality of Life. Checked 15 October 2026. | 87 of 100Strong Expat Insider 2026 Quality of Life: 1st of 31. Source: Expat Insider 2026: Quality of Life. Checked 15 October 2026. |
| Retirement | 85 of 100Strong Strong: a residence visa for retirement and passive income exists with no age minimum or deposit stated, and holders of temporary residence for at least 5 years can request permanent residence. Source: Residence visa documents: remote work and retirement or passive income; Request a permanent residence permit (who can ask). Checked 15 October 2026. | 85 of 100Strong Strong: the non-lucrative residence visa is for people who live on their means without working (400% of the 2026 IPREM, EUR 28,800 a year), and Spanish law gives long-term residence after five continuous years of temporary residence. Source: Non-working (non-lucrative) residency visa; Real Decreto 1155/2024, articles 61 and 64 (temporary non-lucrative residence); Ley Orgánica 4/2000, article 32 (long-term residence). Checked 15 October 2026. |
| English | 100 of 100Strong EF EPI 2025 score 612 (6th of the countries ranked), above the 550 anchor. Source: EF English Proficiency Index 2025: Portugal. Checked 15 October 2026. | 60 of 100Mixed EF EPI 2025 score 540 (36th of 123), between the 499 and 550 lines. Source: EF English Proficiency Index 2025: Spain. Checked 15 October 2026. |
Where they differ
Where the grades fall in different levels.
A different level is a difference in the measure, not a verdict on either place. What matters depends on your own circumstances.
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The comparison for everyone.
Questions about Portugal vs Spain for fifo workers.
Do days in Portugal and Spain count toward the same limit?
Yes: the Schengen limit is 90 days in any 180, counted across all Schengen countries. Portugal's portal lists Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US as visa-exempt for short stays. Spain's Sydney consulate says the same for Australian and New Zealand passports, but any visit involving paid work needs a visa.
Can you keep a rotation job and live there?
No source says a rostered job counts. Portugal's remote-work visas ask for a work contract or employer declaration and income averaging more than €3,700 a month to be safe. Spain's telework visa is for remote work for companies outside Spain, with a degree or three years' experience; the other visa allows no work.
Which tax treaties cover your home country?
Portugal: the US convention has applied since 1996, Canada's is in force, Australia's was signed in 2023 but is not on Treasury's in-force list, and New Zealand's is under negotiation. Spain: sources show a treaty with each, in force with Australia since 1992. A treaty sets conditions; it does not remove filing duties.
Does living there end your home tax residence?
Not by itself. Canada looks at residential ties, New Zealand needs more than 325 days away, and Australia's domicile test can keep you resident without a permanent place of abode abroad. US citizens file on worldwide income wherever they live. Portugal and Spain add their own 183-day tests. It depends on your facts.
What do landlords ask before you sign a lease?
Portuguese adverts we saw asked two months' rent plus one or two months' deposit, a guarantor and income evidence. Spanish law requires one month's rent as deposit and allows an extra guarantee capped at two months on leases up to five years; one Zaragoza advert asks a month plus two.
Sources
Where each figure comes from.
Every figure on this page links to the page we read, with the date we checked it.
- [PT C1] Price level index (GDP), Portugal, World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 2025: 60.37 (United States = 100), read from the World Bank API on 15 October 2026.
- [ES C1] Price level index (GDP), Spain, World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 2025: 64.52 (United States = 100), read from the World Bank API on 15 October 2026.
- [PT K1] Residence visa documents: remote work and retirement or passive income, Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (visa portal). Checked 15 October 2026. Lists remote work (digital nomads) with proof of average monthly income over three months of at least four times the monthly minimum wage, and a fixed residency for retirement or passive income; no age minimum, job offer or deposit is stated. The page gives no euro figure and no validity period.
- [PT K2] Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Portugal, International Telecommunication Union, via the World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 2024: 45.24 per 100 people, read from the World Bank API on 15 October 2026.
- [ES V1] Telework (digital nomad) visa, Consular Section, Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C.. Checked 15 October 2026. Written for residents of D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. 2026: SMI EUR 1,221; 200% = EUR 2,442 a month for an applicant alone; remote work for companies outside Spain, up to 20% of professional activity for Spanish clients; degree or three years of experience; no minimum age stated. Used for the US passport and, for the euro figure, for CA, AU and NZ.
- [ES V5] Ley 14/2013, articles 74 bis to 76 (international telework), Boletín Oficial del Estado (consolidated text). Checked 15 October 2026. Added by Law 28/2022, in force from 23 December 2022. Long-stay visas valid one year (or the length of the authorisation if shorter); residence authorisation for telework valid up to three years, renewable in two-year periods.
- [ES K2] Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Spain, International Telecommunication Union, via the World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 2024: 39.23 per 100 people, read from the World Bank API on 15 October 2026.
- [PT K3] Temporary stay documents: remote work, Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (visa portal). Checked 15 October 2026. Temporary stay visa for remote work: work contract, employer declaration or service contract, fiscal residence, and income of four times the monthly minimum wage averaged over three months; no age minimum stated. The page gives no stay length.
- [PT V1] Guaranteed monthly minimum wage 2026, Directorate-General for Employment and Labour Relations (DGERT). Checked 15 October 2026. €920 a month from 1 January 2026 (Decree-Law 139/2025); four times is €3,680. The 2027 figure is expected to rise, so the test needs reconfirming for 2027.
- [PT V2] Euro foreign exchange reference rate, US dollar, European Central Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 15 October 2026: 1.1208 US dollars per euro (14 October 1.1195); €44,160 is about US$49,500.
- [PT R1] Request a permanent residence permit (who can ask), Portuguese Government (gov.pt), service of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA). Checked 15 October 2026. Page updated 1 September 2026: holders of a temporary residence permit for at least 5 years; the page warns it may be out of date and points to the AIMA portal.
- [PT V3] Visa information, Embassy of Portugal in Washington, D.C.. Checked 15 October 2026. US applicants: the list of national visa forms includes 'Resident Visa - Retirees, Living on Income and Religious Purposes' and 'Resident Visa - Remote Work'.
- [ES V6] Real Decreto 126/2026, minimum wage for 2026, Boletín Oficial del Estado. Checked 15 October 2026. EUR 1,221 a month (14 payments), EUR 17,094 a year, from 1 January 2026.
- [ES V7] Euro foreign exchange reference rate, US dollar, European Central Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 15 October 2026: 1.1208 US dollars per euro, used to convert the income test; EUR 2,442 x 12 = EUR 29,304 = about US$32,800; EUR 2,849 x 12 = EUR 34,188 = about US$38,300.
- [PT V4] Residence visa in Canada, Consulate General of Portugal in Toronto. Checked 15 October 2026. Canadian applicants served by Toronto: residence visas include digital nomads and retirees or people living on passive income (D7).
- [ES V2] Remote work (digital nomad) visa, Ottawa, Embassy of Spain in Ottawa (Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Checked 15 October 2026. In Spanish. For Ottawa and Gatineau; elsewhere Toronto or Montreal. Income of 200% of the minimum wage a month, no euro figure; degree or three years of experience; company at least a year old.
- [PT V5] Where should you lodge a visa application, Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (visa portal). Checked 15 October 2026. Australia: Consulate General in Sydney or Embassy in Canberra; New Zealand: Embassy in Canberra.
- [ES V3] Visa for digital nomads, Canberra, Embassy of Spain in Australia (consular section). Checked 15 October 2026. Financial means of at least 200% of the monthly minimum wage; the page still shows 2025 figures (minimum wage EUR 1,184 in 14 payments, EUR 1,381.33 over 12).
- [ES V4] Remote work visa, Wellington, Embassy of Spain in Wellington (Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Checked 15 October 2026. In Spanish. For applicants resident in the Wellington district. Income of 200% of the minimum wage a month, no euro figure; degree or three years of experience.
- [PT S1] Global Peace Index 2026, overall rank, Institute for Economics and Peace. Checked 15 October 2026. Portugal ranks 7th of 163 countries (score 1.427).
- [ES S1] Global Peace Index 2026, overall rank, Institute for Economics and Peace. Checked 15 October 2026. Spain ranks 27th of 163 countries (score 1.654).
- [PT H1] UHC service coverage index (SDG 3.8.1), World Health Organization. Checked 15 October 2026. Portugal: 83 out of 100 (2023), read from the WHO Global Health Observatory API on 15 October 2026.
- [ES H1] UHC service coverage index (SDG 3.8.1), World Health Organization. Checked 15 October 2026. Spain: 84 out of 100 (2023), read from the WHO Global Health Observatory API on 15 October 2026.
- [PT W1] Climate normals 1991–2020, Braga / Merelim, IPMA (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera). Checked 15 October 2026. Braga, the main city for Portugal's climate grade. Monthly highs 14.1 to 28.7 °C; April to September are 18 to 30 °C with under 150 mm of rain (6 comfortable months).
- [ES W1] Climate normals 1991–2020, Zaragoza airport (WMO 8160), Agencia Estatal de Meteorología, AEMET (WMO Climate Normals 1991–2020 via NOAA NCEI). Checked 15 October 2026. Zaragoza, the main city for Spain's climate grade; mean daily highs 11.2 to 32.8 °C; 5 comfortable months (April, May, June, September, October).
- [PT Q1] Expat Insider 2026: Ease of Settling In, InterNations (Expat Insider survey, private). Checked 15 October 2026. Portugal ranks 7th of 31 countries.
- [ES Q1] Expat Insider 2026: Ease of Settling In, InterNations (Expat Insider survey, private). Checked 15 October 2026. Spain ranks 6th of 31 countries.
- [PT Q2] Expat Insider 2026: Quality of Life, InterNations (Expat Insider survey, private). Checked 15 October 2026. Portugal ranks 11th of 31 countries.
- [ES Q2] Expat Insider 2026: Quality of Life, InterNations (Expat Insider survey, private). Checked 15 October 2026. Spain ranks 1st of 31 countries.
- [ES R1] Non-working (non-lucrative) residency visa, Consular Section, Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C.. Checked 15 October 2026. 2026: annual means of 400% of the IPREM (IPREM EUR 600 a month), EUR 28,800 a year for one applicant; the initial TIE is valid for one year and renewable; no work allowed.
- [ES R2] Real Decreto 1155/2024, articles 61 and 64 (temporary non-lucrative residence), Boletín Oficial del Estado (consolidated text). Checked 15 October 2026. Temporary residence without work, renewable.
- [ES R3] Ley Orgánica 4/2000, article 32 (long-term residence), Boletín Oficial del Estado (consolidated text). Checked 15 October 2026. Long-term residence after five continuous years of legal residence.
- [PT F1] EF English Proficiency Index 2025: Portugal, EF Education First (private test-taker index). Checked 15 October 2026. Score 612, global ranking #6; the 2026 edition was not yet published on 15 October 2026.
- [ES F1] EF English Proficiency Index 2025: Spain, EF Education First (private test-taker index). Checked 15 October 2026. Score 540, 36th of 123 countries and regions, change +2 on the previous score; the 2026 edition was not yet published on 15 October 2026.