Is the Digital Nomad Visa or the D8 Digital Nomad Visa faster to get?

The Digital Nomad Visa (Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78)) is typically faster, around 1–2 months, versus 2–6 months for the D8 Digital Nomad Visa. Real timelines depend on the country's caseload and how complete your application is.

Which costs more, the Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78) or the D8?

The D8 Digital Nomad Visa (D8) costs more, about $250 in official fees, versus $80 for the Digital Nomad Visa (Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78)). Both figures are government fees only and exclude legal, translation, and relocation costs.

Can I get permanent residency with the Digital Nomad Visa or the D8 Digital Nomad Visa?

The Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78) leads to permanent residency in roughly 5 years, while the D8 leads to permanent residency in roughly 5 years. If long-term settlement is the goal, weight the route with the clearer PR pathway more heavily.

Do I need a job offer for the Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78) or the D8?

No. Neither the Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78) nor the D8 requires a job offer to apply. Both assess you on your own profile (points, qualifications, or funds) rather than employer sponsorship.

Digital Nomad Visa vs D8 Digital Nomad Visa

Spain · Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78)vs Portugal · D8

Quick answerUpdated 2026-05-02

The Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78) is the faster route (1–2 months), the Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78) is cheaper on official fees ($80), both lead to permanent residency. Which fits depends on your nationality, profession, and whether you already have a job offer, the breakdown below maps each visa to a profile.

Maintained by Senne Bels, Founder, Transita

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)

Processing time

1–2 months

2–6 months

Application fee

$80

$250

Initial validity

3 yrs

2 yrs

Path to PR

Yes, ~5 yrs

Points-based

Employer sponsor

Not required

Minimum salary

$36,000/yr

$45,000/yr

Language test

Not required

Verified

2026-05-02

Section 02

Which one fits you?

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
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
03
Where you'd actually want to live
Pick Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78)
Madrid / Barcelona / Valencia / Málaga
Pick D8
Lisbon / Porto / Madeira
04
Application speed
Pick Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78)
Faster consulate appointments in 2026
Pick D8
AIMA backlog has stretched timelines

Section 03

Common questions

Is the Digital Nomad Visa or the D8 Digital Nomad Visa faster to get?: The Digital Nomad Visa (Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78)) is typically faster, around 1–2 months, versus 2–6 months for the D8 Digital Nomad Visa. Real timelines depend on the country's caseload and how complete your application is.
Which costs more, the Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78) or the D8?: The D8 Digital Nomad Visa (D8) costs more, about $250 in official fees, versus $80 for the Digital Nomad Visa (Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78)). Both figures are government fees only and exclude legal, translation, and relocation costs.
Can I get permanent residency with the Digital Nomad Visa or the D8 Digital Nomad Visa?: The Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78) leads to permanent residency in roughly 5 years, while the D8 leads to permanent residency in roughly 5 years. If long-term settlement is the goal, weight the route with the clearer PR pathway more heavily.
Do I need a job offer for the Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78) or the D8?: No. Neither the Ley de Startups (Art. 74-78) nor the D8 requires a job offer to apply. Both assess you on your own profile (points, qualifications, or funds) rather than employer sponsorship.

Section 04

Read the full pathway