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Digital Nomad Visa vs D8 Digital Nomad Visa

🇪🇸 Spain · Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78)vs🇵🇹 Portugal · D8

Spain's DNV and Portugal's D8 are the two highest-volume digital-nomad visas in Europe. Most applicants choose between them on three axes: income threshold (Spain is lower at €2,762/mo vs Portugal's €3,480/mo), tax treatment (Spain's Beckham Law can substantially reduce tax for the first six years; Portugal's NHR was scaled back), and lifestyle fit. The visas themselves are functionally similar: 1-year initial, renewable, family inclusion, path to permanent residency.

Section 01

At a glance

Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78)
D8
Processing time
1–2 months
2–6 months
Application fee
$80
$250
Initial validity
3 yrs
2 yrs
Path to PR
Yes — ~5 yrs
Yes — ~5 yrs
Points-based
No
No
Employer sponsor
Not required
Not required
Minimum salary
$36,000/yr
$45,000/yr
Language test
Not required
Not required
Verified
2026-05-02
2026-05-02
Section 02

Which one fits you?

  1. 01

    Your monthly income

    Pick Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78)

    €2,762/mo qualifies for Spain DNV

    Pick D8

    €3,480+/mo opens Portugal D8

  2. 02

    Tax priority

    Pick Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78)

    Beckham Law can drop your effective rate for 6 years

    Pick D8

    Lower threshold IF you don't qualify for NHR 2.0

  3. 03

    Where you'd actually want to live

    Pick Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78)

    Madrid / Barcelona / Valencia / Málaga

    Pick D8

    Lisbon / Porto / Madeira

  4. 04

    Application speed

    Pick Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78)

    Faster consulate appointments in 2026

    Pick D8

    AIMA backlog has stretched timelines

Section 03

Read the full pathway

🇪🇸

Digital Nomad Visa

Spain's Digital Nomad Visa lets remote employees and freelancers live in Spain while working for non-Spanish companies. Beckham-style 24% flat tax available for new residents up to €600k of Spanish-source income for 6 years.

Full Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78) guide
🇵🇹

D8 Digital Nomad Visa

For remote workers earning ≥4× Portuguese minimum wage (€3,480/mo) from non-Portuguese employers or clients. Two-year residence permit, citizenship eligible at 5 years.

Full D8 guide
Official Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78) source Official D8 source

Still can't decide?

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