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If you’re a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen weighing up Spain versus Portugal for a family move, you’re not choosing between good and bad — you’re choosing between two of Europe’s most family-friendly countries.
Both offer sunshine, coastal living, international schools, and a slower pace of life. Spanish is a global language; Portugal slightly less so, but it is known for its safety.
But before you fall in love with a city, check whether your income type and level actually gets you in. That one step can save months of wasted effort on house hunting, school research, and bureaucracy.
Visa 1: D7 (Portugal) vs Non-Lucrative Visa (Spain)
Both Spain and Portugal have a version of what’s commonly referred to as a passive income visa. Basically, it’s for those who have income they don’t actively work for — for example, a pension, dividends, or royalties.
In Portugal, it called the D7. In Spain it’s called the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV).
Below is a side-by-side of the core financial requirements. Use it to quickly see whether your current passive income supports a solo move, a couple, or a family—with realistic add-ons for a spouse and each child.
Requirements snapshot
| Criteria | Portugal — D7 | Spain — Non-Lucrative (NLV) |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Retirees & families with passive income (pensions, US Social Security, dividends, rental income, royalties) | Retirees & families with passive income. |
| Main applicant (monthly) | €870 (Portugal minimum wage) | €2,400 (400% of IPREM) |
| Spouse/partner (monthly) | €435 (50% of main amount) | €600 (100% of IMPREM) |
| Each child (monthly) | €261 (30% of main amount) | €600 (100% of IMPREM) |
Notice the difference? In Portugal, children only require an additional 30% (€261), while in Spain, each child requires the full €600 — more than double. Spain also starts from a much higher starting point, making it harder to add a spouse or long-term partner.
So what does this look like in practice?
| Family Type | Portugal (D7) | Spain (Non-Lucrative) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Couple with 1 child | €1,566/month | €3,600/month | +€2,034 |
| Couple with 2 children | €1,827/month | €4,200/month | +€2,373 |
| Couple with 3 children | €2,088/month | €4,800/month | +€2,712 |
| Single parent with 1 child | €1,131/month | €3,000/month | +€1,869 |
Another big factor when comparing the D7 and Non-Lucrative Visa: whether you can work. Portugal allows you to work locally or remotely on the D7 Visa. Spain does not allow this on the Non-Lucrative Visa.
Given this article is aimed at families rather than retirees, there’s a high chance you’re thinking about continuing work — either locally or remotely. For that reason, this may rule out the Non-Lucrative Visa altogether.
What this really means:
- If you have passive income, it’s easier to move to Portugal – whether you’re single, in a couple, or have a family.
- If you plan to continue working, even remotely, Portugal’s D7 visa offers more flexibility than Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa.
The verdict: Most people who have passive income are retirees with pensions or Social Security and, at that age, most people no longer have children under 18. Aside from owning a rental property and a few other options, it can be hard to generate significant passive income before you get to retirement age, and so both the D7 and NLV may be difficult for any family to achieve.
Of these options, however, it’s going to be far easier for families to meet the requirements for the D7 than the non-lucrative visa.
Visa 2: Digital Nomad Visas (Portugal Vs Spain)
If you’re a remote employee for a foreign company or a freelancer with non-local clients, both Portugal and Spain offer digital-nomad routes. In contrast to the D7, it’s actually easier for remote working or freelancing families to move to Spain than it is to Portugal.
Requirements snapshot
| Criteria | Portugal — Digital Nomad Visa | Spain — Digital Nomad Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant (monthly) | €3,480 (4× minimum wage) | €2,800 |
| Spouse / first dependent (monthly) | €1,740 (50% of main) | €2,100 (75% add-on) |
| Each child (monthly) | €1,044 (30% of main) | €700 (25% add-on) |
So what does this look like in practice?
| Family Type | Portugal — Digital Nomad Visa | Spain — Digital Nomad Visa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Couple with 1 child | €6,264/month | €5,600/month | −€664 |
| Couple with 2 children | €7,308/month | €6,300/month | −€1,008 |
| Couple with 3 children | €8,352/month | €7,000/month | −€1,352 |
| Single parent with 1 child | €4,524/month | €3,500/month | −€1,024 |
What this really means
- Spain scales better for families. Lower starting point and lighter child add-ons usually make Spain more attainable for multi-child households.
- Portugal favors higher earners. The 4× minimum-wage baseline pushes many families above comfort unless income is robust and predictable.
- Evidence matters. Clean employer letters (remote status, foreign payroll) or client contracts (non-local, recurring) reduce scrutiny at application and renewal.
- Run a “bad month” scenario. If income dips 20% or a key client pauses, do you still clear the threshold—especially at renewal?
The verdict
For digital-nomad and remote-working families, Spain is generally more affordable on monthly proofs, though both routes require substantial income. If you’re close to the line, Spain’s scaling typically provides more breathing room.
Visa 3: The Golden Visa
Here’s where the choice becomes simple: Spain no longer offers a golden visa as its program ended in April 2025. Portugal still has its Golden Visa program, though the real estate investment option ended in 2023. The most common route now is:
- Fund investment: €500,000
- Alternative: €250,000 donation to arts/culture
Naturally, most people choose to invest rather than donate.
The Golden Visa offers a lot of flexibility as you only need to spend an average of 7 days per year in Portugal to meet the physical stay requirements. However, this comes at a cost — not only do you need to make an investment or donation, but the government and legal fees are higher.
If you’re planning to move to Portugal, the Golden Visa may not make financial sense. Why tie up €500k and pay higher fees when you could opt for the Digital Nomad Visa or D7 instead?
Of course, that assumes you qualify for the Golden Visa and another visa, like the D7 or Digital Nomad Visa. For those you need either passive income (for the D7) or actively-earned income such as a remote job or freelancing income (for the Digital Nomad Visa). If you don’t have these, and just have a lump sum of €500k, you may only be able to apply for the Golden Visa instead.
Typical Investment Routes
As of 2025, the two most popular paths to Portugal’s Golden Visa are a €500,000 commitment to a venture capital or investment fund, and a €250,000 contribution supporting arts or cultural heritage projects.
Investment routes
- Investment or venture capital fund: Commit at least €500,000 to a qualifying Portuguese fund.
- Scientific research: Contribute a minimum of €500,000 toward R&D initiatives.
- Company investment: Put €500,000 into a Portuguese business that creates or preserves at least five jobs.
- Job creation: Launch a company and create 10+ full-time positions (no fixed minimum capital required).
Donation routes
- Arts & cultural heritage: Donate €250,000 or more to eligible arts or heritage projects.
- This threshold drops to €200,000 when the project is in a low-density region.
The verdict: If you have significant capital to invest, Portugal is your only option between these two countries. The big question is: do you chose the Golden Visa over another visa like the D7 or Digital Nomad Visa.
The answer to this usually depends on your lifestyle and goals. If your main goal is to live in Portugal, a visa like the D7 or Digital Nomad Visa will be a lot cheaper. If you want flexibility, the Golden Visa allows you to spend as little or as much time as you want. For those with families attending school, the D7 or Digital Nomad Visa usually make more sense as families are likely to spend the majority of the year in Portugal.
Other Considerations
Visa requirements are just one piece of the puzzle. Before making your final decision, also research:
- School fees (international schools can be expensive in both countries)
- Tax implications (both countries have different tax structures for residents)
- Healthcare access (both offer public systems, but with different requirements)
- Cost of living (varies significantly by region)
- Language requirements (for visa and daily life)
Both Spain and Portugal offer wonderful opportunities for families. The right choice depends on your specific situation — but now you have a clearer picture of which country makes it easier to actually get there.
Conclusion
For many families, Portugal is the more practical entry point into Europe. Its D7 visa remains one of the most accessible residency options for those with passive income such as pensions, US Social Security, rental earnings, or dividends. The financial thresholds are moderate, particularly for families, with dependents adding only a small percentage to the base requirement.
Portugal also retains its Golden Visa, now focused on fund investment or cultural contributions, offering a path that Spain no longer provides. For families with capital or predictable income, it’s a clear, stable route to residency and, eventually, citizenship.
Spain, on the other hand, is often the better choice for remote workers and digital nomads. Its digital nomad visa is easier to qualify for than Portugal’s D8, with lower income minimums and lighter scaling for dependents. Spain’s larger economy also means greater job prospects and professional diversity once residency is secured. For families planning a longer-term European life—where career and education flexibility matter—Spain offers a bigger stage.
Ultimately, both countries deliver an enviable quality of life—the question is which path lets your family get there first.
