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Portugal vs. Spain vs. Mexico: Digital Nomad Visas Compared
Three of the most-searched nomad visa routes, lined up on the fields that actually decide eligibility: income floor, timeline, and renewal.
Verified Aug 2026 · Cross-checked against ExpatFYI's own verified Portugal, Spain, and Mexico visa guides
| Field | Portugal (D7 / D8) | Spain (Digital Nomad Visa) | Mexico (Temporary Resident) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum monthly income | €920/mo (D7, passive) or €3,680/mo (D8, active) — as of 2026 | €2,850/mo (200% of SMI) — as of 2026 | $4,300-4,500/mo, or $73,000-78,000 in savings — varies by consulate |
| Processing time | 30-60 days (D8) | ~20 working days in-country, 15-45 days via consulate abroad | Not tightly published; budget for consulate appointment scheduling on top |
| Initial validity | 2 years | 3 years (in-country) or 1 year (consulate abroad) | 1-4 years, set at approval |
| Path to renewal | 3-year cycle after first renewal; permanent residency at 5 years | 5-year cap total, then long-term EU residency | Renewable to 4 years total, then Permanent Residency eligible |
| Tax residency trigger | 183 days in-country | 183 days in-country | 183 days in-country |
| Family inclusion | +50% spouse, +30%/child | +75% SMI first dependent, +25% each additional | No steep additional income requirement in most cases |
| Portugal's D7 has the lowest income bar of the three by a wide margin (€920/month), making it the most accessible route for someone with passive income specifically — but D8, the actual remote-work equivalent, jumps to €3,680/month, considerably higher than Spain's €2,850. Spain offers the fastest realistic path to a genuinely fixed, predictable timeline if applying in-country. Mexico's appeal isn't a lower bar — its threshold is comparable to or higher than Spain's once converted — it's the least rigid on family income add-ons and the most flexible on validity length, set individually at approval rather than fixed by law. None of the three publishes a clean, fast processing guarantee; budget real time regardless of which you choose. | |||
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Find your visa matchThis is informational, not advice. Visa, tax, and immigration rules change, and a general guide can't account for your specific situation. Before you act on anything here, confirm current details with the relevant embassy, consulate, or a licensed immigration or tax professional. See our editorial policy for how we verify what we publish.
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