Deciding between moving to Portugal or Spain is a "good problem" to have. Both countries offer sun-drenched lifestyles, rich history, and affordable living costs compared to Northern Europe and North America. However, for retirees, digital nomads, and passive income earners in 2025, the financial barrier to entry differs significantly between the two.
This guide compares the Portugal D7 Visa and the Spain Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), focusing specifically on the income requirements for 2025. Whether you are living on a pension, dividends, or rental income, this article will help you calculate exactly how much you need to show to make your Iberian dream a reality.
Overview: Portugal D7 vs Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
Before diving into the numbers, it is crucial to understand the distinct purpose of each visa, as their financial requirements reflect their target demographics.
- Who is the Portugal D7 visa for? Often called the "Passive Income Visa," the D7 is designed for pensioners and individuals with stable, recurring passive income. Uniquely, it allows independent professional activity (remote work) once you are a resident, making it flexible for semi-retirees.
- Who is the Spain Non-Lucrative visa for? The NLV is strictly a residence visa for those who have the funds to support themselves without working. It generally prohibits any form of professional activity (including remote work) within Spain, although it is ideal for pure retirees living off savings or investments.
- Key Difference: The Portugal D7 has a significantly lower income threshold and allows work; the Spain NLV requires higher financial proof and forbids work.
2025 Income Requirements at a Glance
The table below provides a snapshot comparison of the minimum financial requirements for 2025. Portugal ties its requirements to its National Minimum Wage, while Spain uses the IPREM (Public Income Indicator of Multiple Effects).
| Visa Type | Main Applicant Minimum Income (Monthly) | Spouse/Partner Add-on (Monthly) | Per Child Add-on (Monthly) | Proof of Funds / Savings (Recommended) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal D7 | €870 | €435 (50%) | €261 (30%) | Approx. €10,500 - €12,000 in a Portuguese bank account |
| Spain Non-Lucrative | €2,400 | €600 | €600 | €28,800+ in a bank account (immediate access) |
Note on Data Sources: Portugal figures reflect the 2025 National Minimum Wage increase to €870. Spain figures are based on the standard 400% IPREM calculation (using the 2024 benchmark of €600/month, as 2025 adjustments are typically minor). Always verify with your specific consulate as exchange rates and local interpretations can vary.
Portugal D7 Visa Income Requirements 2025
The Portugal D7 visa remains one of the most accessible residency visas in Europe. For 2025, the Portuguese government raised the national minimum wage to €870 per month, which serves as the baseline for the D7 requirement.
- Main Applicant: 100% of the minimum wage (€870/month or €10,440/year).
- Spouse/Partner: 50% of the minimum wage (€435/month or €5,220/year).
- Dependent Children: 30% of the minimum wage (€261/month or €3,132/year).
- Accepted Income Sources: Pensions (social security, private), rental income, dividends, interest, royalties, and intellectual property. Unlike Spain, Portugal often accepts remote work income for the D7, provided it is stable and recurring, though the "Digital Nomad Visa" (D8) is specifically for that purpose.
- Proof of Funds: Most consulates require you to fund a Portuguese bank account with at least 12 months' worth of the minimum income requirement before applying.
Example Scenarios for Portugal D7
- Single Applicant: A retiree with a pension of €1,200/month qualifies easily, as it exceeds the €870 requirement. They should show ~€10,500 in savings.
- Married Couple: Needs a combined passive income of €1,305/month (€870 + €435). They should show ~€16,000 in savings.
- Family of Four (Couple + 2 kids): Needs €1,827/month (€870 + €435 + €261 + €261).
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa Income Requirements 2025
Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) requires a much higher level of financial solvency. Spain does not use the minimum wage for this calculation; instead, it uses the IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples).
- Main Applicant: Must show 400% of the IPREM. Assuming an IPREM of €600, this equals €2,400/month or €28,800/year.
- Family Members: Each additional member (spouse or child) requires 100% of the IPREM. This equals €600/month or €7,200/year per person.
- Proof of Funds vs. Recurring Income: Spain is stricter about "money in the bank." While recurring income (like a pension) is excellent, many consulates prefer to see the full annual amount deposited in a bank account in your name.
- Work Restrictions: You cannot work for a Spanish employer. Remote work is a legal grey area for the NLV; officially, it is a "non-lucrative" visa. If you intend to work remotely, Spain’s specific Digital Nomad Visa is the correct path, not the NLV.
Example Scenarios for Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
- Retiree: A single retiree needs approx. €28,800 in yearly pension or savings.
- Married Couple: Needs 500% of IPREM (400% + 100%), totaling €3,000/month or €36,000/year.
- Family of Four: Needs 700% of IPREM (400% + 100% + 100% + 100%), totaling €4,200/month or €50,400/year.
Cost of Living Context: Portugal vs Spain in 2025
Meeting the visa income requirements is one thing; actually living comfortably is another. Generally, Portugal offers a lower cost of living, particularly regarding rent and dining out, although the gap is narrowing in major hubs like Lisbon.
| Category | Portugal (Average) | Spain (Average) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bedroom in city center) | €800 - €1,200 (Lisbon/Porto) / €500 - €700 (Interior) | €900 - €1,400 (Madrid/Barcelona) / €600 - €800 (Valencia/Alicante) | Lisbon rents have spiked recently, often rivaling Madrid. |
| Groceries (Monthly per person) | €200 - €300 | €250 - €350 | Spain often has cheaper produce; Portugal has cheaper fish/meat. |
| Health Insurance (Private) | €40 - €80 / month (Age dependent) | €50 - €100 / month (Age dependent) | Both require full coverage private insurance for the visa. |
| Utilities (Energy/Water) | €100 - €150 | €120 - €180 | Electricity is notably expensive in both countries compared to the US. |
Infographic Ideas
If you are visualizing this data for a presentation or blog post, consider these concepts:
- Infographic 1: The "Income Gap" Bar Chart: A side-by-side comparison showing a bar for Portugal (€870) vs. a much taller bar for Spain (€2,400) for a single applicant. This visually highlights the 3x difference.
- Infographic 2: Decision Flowchart: Start with "Do you need to work remotely?" If YES -> Portugal D7 (or Spain Digital Nomad Visa). If NO -> "What is your monthly budget?" < €1,500 -> Portugal; > €2,500 -> Spain.
- Infographic 3: The Sun Belt Map: A map highlighting popular expat hubs (Algarve, Lisbon, Porto for Portugal; Malaga, Alicante, Valencia for Spain) with average rent prices tagged on each city.
Slide Deck / Presentation Outline
Planning a webinar or seminar on moving to Iberia? Here is a ready-to-use outline.
- Slide 1: Title: "Portugal D7 vs Spain Non-Lucrative Visa: Income Requirements 2025"
- Slide 2: Purpose: Passive Income (Portugal) vs. Pure Retirement (Spain).
- Slide 3: The Numbers: 2025 Income Table (Portugal €870 vs. Spain €2,400).
- Slide 4: Portugal D7 Deep Dive: Low entry barrier, NHR tax regime changes, path to citizenship (5 years).
- Slide 5: Spain NLV Deep Dive: Higher capital required, wealth tax considerations, path to citizenship (10 years).
- Slide 6: Cost of Living Reality Check: Rent, Food, and Healthcare.
- Slide 7: Ideal Profiles: Who fits where? (Budget conscious vs. Luxury lifestyle).
- Slide 8: Next Steps: Document checklist and consulate links.
Pros and Cons: Portugal D7 vs Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
| Criteria | Portugal D7 | Spain Non-Lucrative |
|---|---|---|
| Income Flexibility | High. Accepts dividends, pensions, and sometimes remote work. Lower threshold. | Low. Strict "passive" requirement. High threshold (400% IPREM). |
| Tax Considerations | Offers NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) status (though modified in 2024/25), potentially offering 10 years of tax benefits. | You become a tax resident worldwide. Wealth tax applies in some regions (e.g., Catalonia, Valencia), though Madrid/Andalusia may offer exemptions. |
| Family Friendliness | Very friendly. Low add-on costs for children and spouse. | Friendly, but expensive. Adding a family of 4 doubles the financial requirement to over €50k/year. |
| Path to Citizenship | Faster. Eligible for citizenship after 5 years of residency. Dual citizenship allowed. | Slower. Citizenship typically after 10 years (unless from Ibero-American countries/Philippines, then 2 years). |
Step-by-Step Application Overview
Portugal D7 Application Steps
- Financial Prep: Calculate your 2025 income needs. Open a Portuguese bank account and fund it with 12 months of savings (approx €11,000+).
- Accommodation: Secure a 12-month rental contract or buy a property in Portugal (proof of accommodation is mandatory).
- NIF Number: Obtain your NIF (Portuguese tax number) through a representative.
- Consulate Interview: Apply at the VFS Global or Portuguese consulate in your home country.
- Residency Permit: Upon arrival in Portugal, attend your AIMA appointment to convert the visa into a 2-year residence permit.
Spain Non-Lucrative Application Steps
- Financial Prep: Ensure you have €28,800+ (for singles) in a liquid bank account. Print 3 months of bank statements.
- Health Insurance: Purchase a private Spanish health insurance policy with no copayments (full coverage).
- Medical Certificate: Get a doctor's letter confirming you are free of contagious diseases (apostilled and translated).
- Consulate Interview: Submit physical documents at the Spanish consulate. Processing takes 1-3 months.
- TIE Card: Enter Spain, register your address (Padron), and apply for your TIE (Foreigner Identity Card) at a local police station.
FAQs: Portugal D7 vs Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
- Can I work remotely for a foreign company on each visa?
For Portugal D7, yes, it is generally accepted if the income is stable, though the Digital Nomad Visa is the official route. For Spain NLV, legally no. You should look at Spain's Digital Nomad Visa instead. - How are renewals handled, and do income requirements change?
Renewals usually require proving you still meet the income threshold. Portugal permits are typically valid for 2 years, then renewable for 3. Spain NLV is 1 year, then renewable for 2 x 2 years. - Do these visas lead to permanent residency and citizenship?
Yes. Portugal allows citizenship application after 5 years. Spain generally requires 10 years of residency for citizenship, or 5 years for permanent residency. - Can I bring my spouse and children?
Yes, for both. In Portugal, the income add-on is small (50% spouse/30% child). In Spain, it is significant (100% IPREM per person), making it much more expensive for large families.
Conclusion: Which Visa Is Better for You in 2025?
If your decision is driven strictly by finances and speed to citizenship, the Portugal D7 is the clear winner for 2025. It requires roughly one-third of the income needed for Spain and offers a passport in half the time.
However, if you have higher savings and your heart is set on the Spanish lifestyle—tapas, larger cities, and Mediterranean beaches—the Spain Non-Lucrative Visa is an excellent choice, provided you do not need to work. Spain offers a robust healthcare system and excellent infrastructure for pure retirees.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, immigration, or tax advice. Income requirements for Portugal (Minimum Wage) and Spain (IPREM) are subject to government change. Always verify requirements directly with official government sources, consulates, or a qualified attorney before applying.
References:
Portugal Official Sources
Vistos MNE (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) The official government portal detailing all visa types and documentation requirements.
https://vistos.mne.gov.pt/en/ AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) The regulatory body that manages residency permits (formerly SEF) inside Portugal.
https://aima.gov.pt/ Portugal Government Portal (2025 Minimum Wage) Official announcement of Decree-Law 112/2024 raising the minimum wage to €870.
https://www.portugal.gov.pt/
Spain Official Sources
Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (MAEC) The primary source for visa application forms and consulate directories.
https://www.exteriores.gob.es/ IPREM (Public Income Indicator) The official index used to calculate the 400% financial requirement for the Non-Lucrative Visa.
http://www.iprem.com.es/
Legal & Data Verification
Eur-Lex (Schengen Visa Code) EU-wide legislation governing short-stay visas and border control (useful for context on the 90/180 rule).
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/ Numbeo (Cost of Living Data) Crowdsourced database for comparing real-time rent and grocery prices between Lisbon and Madrid.
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/