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Spain versus other countries

You can see how Spain really compares with each realistic rival on the factors that decide a move, without stale incentive-scheme assumptions.

This Topic puts Spain next to the countries people most often weigh it against: Portugal, Italy, France, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, northern Europe, Latin America, Dubai and Asian hubs, and English-speaking countries such as the UK, Canada and Australia. Each page answers one question: how does Spain…

10 articlesAbout 1.1 hours of readingEssentialDestination fit and tradeoffs

Start with the first articleSee all 10 articles

Pick the article that fits your situation

  1. Choosing between Spain and Portugal for living

    Spain and Portugal are closer than their reputations suggest. This page compares residency routes, tax after the old NHR regime, cost, housing, healthcare, English and citizenship, so you can decide which country fits your income and plans.

    11 min read

  2. Spain or Portugal for remote work

    A side-by-side test of Spain and Portugal for people working remotely for foreign employers or clients: visa conditions, tax, internet and time zone. For non-EU remote workers choosing between the two countries.

    7 min read

  3. Spain or Portugal for retirement

    A comparison of Spain and Portugal for retirees living on pensions or savings. It covers pension tax, healthcare, wealth and inheritance tax, and the retirement visa routes, so you can see which country suits your situation.

    6 min read

  4. Weighing Spain against Italy, tax deal and bureaucracy included

    Helps you decide between Spain and Italy when an Italian tax incentive looks tempting. It compares the tax schemes, the residence routes and the paperwork in both countries, for non-EU newcomers choosing where to settle.

    7 min read

  5. Is Spain or France better for a long-term move?

    A side-by-side look at Spain and France for families and retirees planning a long-term move. It covers tax, benefits, residency routes, healthcare and language, so you can see which country fits your situation before you commit.

    6 min read

  6. Spain compared with Greece, Cyprus and Malta

    Greece, Cyprus and Malta offer tax breaks or easier residency, but their markets and public services are smaller than Spain's. This page helps you weigh those trade-offs if you are choosing between Spain and one of them.

    5 min read

  7. Spain versus Germany, the Netherlands or Ireland for earning and living

    Shows what you trade when you pick Spain over Germany, the Netherlands or Ireland: lower take-home pay, but lower rents and everyday costs. For people comparing a Spanish move with a higher-paid northern EU job.

    3 min read

  8. Spain or Mexico, Colombia and other Latin American options

    A comparison of Spain with Mexico and Colombia for people who can work remotely or live on foreign income. It weighs lower costs and closer time zones against Spain's EU rights, and covers residency routes in each country.

    5 min read

  9. Spain compared with Dubai, Thailand and other global hubs

    Dubai and Thailand can cost you less tax than Spain, but their residence is conditional and comes with trade-offs. This page helps you weigh Spain against them before you decide where to live and be taxed.

    5 min read

  10. Spain or an English-speaking country like the UK, Canada or Australia

    Helps you weigh Spain against the UK, Canada or Australia. It sets the language barrier next to pay, living costs and how hard it is to immigrate to each country, so you can decide whether Spain still makes sense.

    5 min read

About this topic

It is for anyone thinking about, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. You will get a country-versus-country answer, without outdated assumptions about tax incentive schemes.

Start with "Choosing between Spain and Portugal for living". It covers cost, residency, tax, language, healthcare and size of choice, and it is the comparison most readers need first. If you work remotely or are retired, there are separate Spain-or-Portugal pages for each situation.

This Topic does not teach you how to weight your own criteria or build a shortlist. It also does not compare single factors such as tax or healthcare across countries, or compare Spanish regions and cities.

Key rules

  • Beckham regime: Spain's special regime for inbound workers applies for the year of arrival plus five years, taxing employment income up to €600,000 at a flat 24%.
  • Spanish citizenship: Spain requires 10 years of legal residence for naturalisation, reduced to 2 years for Ibero-American and Portuguese nationals.
  • Golden visas: Neither country sells residence for property any more, though Portugal's fund and other investment routes remain.
  • Spain income test: The digital nomad visa needs income of 200% of the Spanish minimum wage, plus extra for family.
  • Spanish visa income: The Spanish non-lucrative visa needs 400% of the IPREM a year for you and 100% for each dependant.

Spain versus other countries: the whole process, step by step

  • Choose your country and residence route (Spain, Portugal or another): Before you apply for anything

  • Gather income proof, qualifications, a clean criminal record and health insurance for the visa: At least a few months before you plan to travel

  • Apply for the visa at the consulate (Spain's digital nomad visa or Portugal's D8 for remote work; D7 for passive income): Before you move; consulate waits vary

  • Arrive and register: in Spain get your NIE and TIE card by appointment (cita previa): Soon after arrival; the NIE often takes days to weeks and the TIE card weeks after fingerprinting

  • Register for Social Security and set up healthcare (employer or self-employed registration, or private insurance, with the convenio especial after at least one year of registered residence): When you start work or after arrival

  • Apply for Spain's special regime for inbound workers with Modelo 149: Within six months of registering with Social Security or starting work

  • Use the special tax regime: a flat 24% on employment income up to €600,000: For the year of arrival plus five years

  • Renew your permit: Spain's digital nomad permit lasts up to 3 years and renews in 2-year periods: Before the permit expires

  • Aim for permanent residence: After 5 years of legal residence in Spain or Portugal

  • Consider Spanish citizenship: After 10 years of legal residence, or 2 years for Ibero-American and Portuguese nationals

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

Income and work

The home and the lease

Guarantees

Other documents

Each article lists the other documents it asks for, where you need them.

Spain versus other countries: questions that cross several articles

Does Portugal have a tax deal like Spain's special regime for inbound workers?

Yes, Portugal has IFICI, but it covers a narrower group than Spain's regime and the old NHR scheme is closed to new people. IFICI gives a flat 20% rate for 10 years on qualifying Portuguese income for certain jobs. Read Spain or Portugal for remote work.

Is living in Portugal still much cheaper than living in Spain?

Portugal is only somewhat cheaper overall, and rents in Lisbon and Porto are now comparable to or above Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. Groceries and utilities are a little cheaper, but local salaries are lower.

Can I get public healthcare in Spain if I move as a non-EU citizen?

Yes, if you work and pay into Social Security, you get public healthcare through that registration. Otherwise you need private insurance first, then can join the public system through the convenio especial after at least one year of registered residence. See Spain or Portugal for retirement.

Is Spain's golden visa still open for property buyers?

No, Spain's real-estate golden visa was abolished in April 2025 and is closed. See Choosing between Spain and Portugal for living.

Explore places

Where you live changes the details. See how Spanish regions and cities compare on rent, jobs, weather, safety and healthcare.

Need certainty before you act?

For important relocation decisions, speak with a qualified human specialist.

Consult with a human specialist

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Always verify important information with the relevant official authority or a qualified adviser before acting. This website uses large language models together with various public data sources, official government documents and other established sources. Due to the amount of data on this website, some information might be wrong. Information may also be incomplete or outdated.

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