Spain
Portugal
Spain vs Portugal
Complete comparison for your tax relocation
Taxation
| Top income tax bracket | 47% | 48% |
| Corporate tax | 25% | 19% |
| Capital gains | 0% | 0% |
| VAT | 21% | 23% |
| Tax treaty with France | Yes | Yes |
| Special regime | Ley Beckham | Incentivo Fiscal à Investigação Científica e Inovação (IFICI) |
| Wealth tax | Yes | No |
| Territorial taxation | No | No |
Ley Beckham
Duration: 6 ans (année d'arrivée + 5 ans)
Régime fiscal spécial pour les travailleurs déplacés en Espagne. Permet d'etre imposé comme non-résident avec un taux forfaitaire de 24 % sur les revenus espagnols jusqu'à 600 000 EUR.
Incentivo Fiscal à Investigação Científica e Inovação (IFICI)
Duration: 10 ans
Successeur du NHR depuis 2024. Taux forfaitaire de 20 % sur les revenus portugais pour les nouveaux résidents fiscaux exerçant des activités à haute valeur ajoutée ou dans la recherche scientifique.
Cost of living
| Monthly cost (single) | 1 300 € | 1 200 € |
| Monthly cost (couple) | 2 100 € | 1 900 € |
| City center rent | 1 050 € | 950 € |
| Outside city rent | 650 € | 600 € |
| Private health insurance | 90 € | 80 € |
| Public healthcare | Accessible | Accessible |
Estimated total monthly budget (single, with city center rent)
Portugal is approximately 200 € cheaper per month in total.
Quality of life
| Average temperature | 18°C | 17°C |
| Safety | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Health index | 77/100 | 72/100 |
| Internet | 150 Mbps | 120 Mbps |
| Timezone vs Paris | +0h | -1h |
| French-speaking community | Medium | Medium |
| Languages | Espagnol, Catalan, Basque | Portugais |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) | Euro (EUR) |
| Corruption index | 60/100 | 61/100 |
| Democracy index | 7.97/10 | 7.95/10 |
Settling in
| Residence permit delay | 4 months | 6 months |
| Company creation | 14 days | 5 days |
| Bank account | Moderate | Moderate |
| Political stability | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Ease of business | 30th worldwide | 39th worldwide |
Summary
Spain
- Top IT: 47% | Corp. tax: 25%
- Cost of living: 1 300 €/mo
- Safety: 6/10 | Health: 77/100
- Regime: Ley Beckham (6 ans (année d'arrivée + 5 ans))
Portugal
- Top IT: 48% | Corp. tax: 19%
- Cost of living: 1 200 €/mo
- Safety: 7/10 | Health: 72/100
- Regime: Incentivo Fiscal à Investigação Científica e Inovação (IFICI) (10 ans)
Comparative analysis: Spain vs Portugal
Which country has lower taxes?
Both countries are fairly close on taxation. Income tax reaches 47% in Spain and 48% in Portugal. Corporate tax is 25% and 19% respectively.
Which country is cheaper to live in?
The cost of living is lower in Portugal. A single person spends about 1 200 EUR/month excluding rent, compared to 1 300 EUR/month in Espagne. City center rent averages 950 EUR versus 1 050 EUR.
Which country is safer?
Portugal scores higher on safety (7/10 versus 6/10). In terms of healthcare, Espagne leads with an index of 77/100 compared to 72/100 for Portugal.
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Disclaimer
The tax information presented is based on estimates from public sources (PwC, OECD, government sources). It does not constitute tax or legal advice. Tax rules change regularly and your personal situation may significantly affect the calculation. Consult a qualified professional before making any relocation decision.