Two Iberian neighbors, two very different expat experiences. Portugal draws nomads with its D7 visa and Lisbon's tech scene; Spain tempts with Barcelona, lower food costs, and a more established expat infrastructure. Here's how they stack up side-by-side.

Overview

Category	🇵🇹 Portugal	🇪🇸 Spain
Monthly Budget	from €1,500	from €1,600
Internet Speed	205 Mbps	248 Mbps
English Proficiency	Widely spoken (ranked #6 globally)	Moderate - higher in cities & tourist areas
Climate	Mediterranean / Atlantic	Mediterranean, semi-arid inland, oceanic north
EU & Schengen	EU + Schengen	EU + Schengen
Currency	Euro (€)	Euro (€)

Cost of Living

Estimated monthly budget for a single expat (rent, food, transport, and leisure). Amounts normalised to USD for comparison.

🇵🇹 Portugalfrom €1,500 (~$1,620/mo)

🇪🇸 Spainfrom €1,600 (~$1,728/mo)

Portugal is approximately 6% cheaper based on estimated monthly budgets.

Internet & Connectivity

🇵🇹 Portugal

205 Mbps

🇪🇸 Spain

248 Mbps

Spain has faster average internet at 248 Mbps.

Language & English Proficiency

🇵🇹 Portugal

Widely spoken (ranked #6 globally)

Excellent

🇪🇸 Spain

Moderate - higher in cities & tourist areas

Good

Why Expats Choose Each Country

🇵🇹 Why Expats Choose Portugal

🌞
300+ Days of Sunshine
Lisbon is one of Europe's sunniest capitals. The Algarve rivals the Mediterranean coast - warm, dry summers and mild winters year-round.
💰
Affordable Western Europe
Groceries run 39% cheaper than the US. A comfortable life in Porto costs €1,500–€2,000/month - half the price of London, Amsterdam, or Paris.
🛂
World-Class Visa Options
The D7 passive income visa (€920/mo) and D8 digital nomad visa (€3,680/mo) are among the most accessible in Europe. Both lead to permanent residency after 5 years. The new Nationality Law (promulgated May 2026) extends the citizenship timeline to 10 years for most foreign nationals (7 years for EU and CPLP nationals).

Full Portugal guide

🇪🇸 Why Expats Choose Spain

🌞
300+ Days of Sunshine
Seville averages 3,000 hours of sun per year - the most of any major European city. Even Madrid enjoys 2,700 hours annually. Warm, dry summers and mild winters make outdoor living a year-round reality.
🍷
World-Class Food & Wine
From pintxos in San Sebastián to paella in Valencia and jamón ibérico in Extremadura - Spain's food culture is extraordinary. Meals at local restaurants start at €10–€15 including wine.
💰
Affordable Western Europe
Groceries cost 25–35% less than the UK or Germany. A comfortable expat life in Valencia or Seville runs €1,600–€2,200/month. Even Madrid and Barcelona are far cheaper than Paris or Amsterdam.

Full Spain guide

Popular Expat Cities

🇵🇹 Portugal

Lisbon Porto The Algarve Madeira (Funchal) Braga Coimbra

Explore Portugal

🇪🇸 Spain

Madrid Barcelona Valencia Málaga Alicante Seville Tenerife

Explore Spain

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Portugal vs Spain - FAQ

Is Portugal or Spain cheaper for expats?

Portugal is approximately 6% cheaper. The estimated monthly budget in Portugal is from €1,500 versus from €1,600 in Spain (including rent, food, transport, and leisure).

Which country has faster internet - Portugal or Spain?

Spain has faster average internet at 248 Mbps. Portugal averages 205 Mbps and Spain averages 248 Mbps.

Is English widely spoken in Portugal and Spain?

Portugal has stronger English proficiency (Widely spoken (ranked #6 globally)). Portugal is rated "Widely spoken (ranked #6 globally)" and Spain is "Moderate - higher in cities & tourist areas".

Which is better for digital nomads - Portugal or Spain?

Both are popular with digital nomads. Portugal offers Lisbon, Porto, The Algarve as key expat cities, while Spain has Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia. Consider internet speed, visa options, cost of living, and lifestyle when choosing.

Can I get a visa to live in Portugal or Spain?

Both countries have visa options for expats. Visit our Portugal visa guide and Spain visa guide for detailed requirements, processing times, and eligibility.

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🇵🇹 Explore Portugal 🇪🇸 Explore Spain All comparisons