Spain and Portugal are the two destinations most compared when deciding where to apply for a digital nomad visa in southern Europe. The differences aren't so much about which country is more appealing, but about where you apply, how long it takes, and what income level is required — and that completely changes the document logistics.
Where to apply: the biggest difference
With Spain's digital nomad visa, it's possible to start the process from within Spain if you're already here under another regular immigration status, before the Large Companies Unit (UGE). With Portugal's D8, the application has to be made from outside Portugal, at the Portuguese consulate in your country of residence — it can't be started while already in Portugal.
Income requirements
Portugal's D8 requires proving income of at least 4 times the national minimum wage — in 2026, around €3,680/month (roughly €44,160/year). Spain's threshold is lower, calculated on the IPREM index. For many nomads starting out, that difference is decisive when choosing a destination.
Resolution timelines
Here's the difference that surprises people most: Spain's visa is resolved in around 20 business days when applied for from within Spain. Portugal's D8, processed through the consulate, can take 6 months to over a year in many cases, though the Portuguese government has been investing in clearing that backlog.
Documents you need to translate in both cases
In both countries, the core documentation is similar — and in both cases it requires sworn translation and apostille:
- Criminal record certificate, from the country of residence and, in Portugal's case, sometimes also from countries lived in over recent years.
- Contract or service agreement proving remote work.
- Medical certificate, in Spain's case (see the IHR-2005 guide) — Portugal doesn't require it as systematically.
- Proof of housing and health insurance.
What's similar and what isn't
Both are visas designed for remote workers with clients or an employer outside the destination country, with a later pathway to long-term residence. The practical difference, for someone who already has half the file ready, is usually logistics: if you already live in Spain under another status, switching to the digital nomad visa is an internal procedure; starting Portugal's D8 means going back to (or applying from) your home country.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the D8 can be processed while already in Portugal — it can't; it has to be done through your home consulate.
- Underestimating Portugal's income threshold, higher than Spain's.
- Not translating the criminal record certificate for every recent country of residence when Portugal requires it.
Related pages
- Spain digital nomad visa
- Best Spanish cities for digital nomads
- Medical certificate for Spanish visa: the IHR-2005 explained
- Sworn translation in Madrid · Sworn translation in Malaga
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