Spain vs Portugal - Best Country to Live and Work? (Cost of Living, Residence Permit, Taxes)

[@josesanches8715]

Portugal and Spain are brothers and we are shoulders to shoulders One to other the blood is the same Ibérian blood no borders barriers God blessings the two countries

[@MMartec]

Very nice! É verdade e ainda bem, nuestros hermanos!!! :)))

[@Ferreira0504]

Eu amo a Espanha 🇵🇹❤️🇪🇸

[@silveriorebelo2920]

tanto disparate - os espanhóis são de outra raça (ibéricos do norte de África) e têm uma cultura muito diferente - e não somos nada irmãos, e isso é evidente quando consideramos o espírito imperialista dos castelhanos.,..

[@Salpeteroxid]

Thought it was alot of arab blood in the mix. Like the muslims that invaded you.

[@andreikiselyov4921]

Spain is not a very friendly brother for Portugal. Spain tried to invade Portugal and take a portuguese independence several times in the past! One time Spain succeeded in it and it was no independent country called Portugal for 60 years from 1580 to 1640!

[@jimji2774]

Appreciating all the opinions from people with experience of the areas ! Great discussion.

[@stevenhyike2771]

I love Portugal, because I am a Portuguese.

[@rodolfinhomorais6832]

I ❤️ Spain and i am Portuguese.

[@pepegreg7460]

I love Portugal and I am 🇷🇴 Romanian !!!!!

[@RonTon89]

I live in the US, and I would like to retire to Valencia using a non-lucrative visa. Since I can’t work due to the visa, I would be living off my dividends from my stock market investments, 401k, SS, and my Roth IRA. For the life of me, I can’t find anything clear on what my taxes would be like! (Ie. income tax, local tax..etc) I plan on renting, and not buying. Making a video about this would be VERYYY helpful I’m sure to a lot of people!

[@traveleconomics]

Thanks for your message. Individual cases must be assessed on a case by case basis, but, a general rule is that: 19-23% max capital gain tax (selling stocks for ex). Dividends on US stocks: progressive 19-26%. Foreign pensions are taxed as earned income (Spanish progressive tax rates apply). If you need more details on your case you can contact me.

[@j10652]

One concern I have about moving to Spain as a retiree is the wealth tax. The tax is imposed on global net wealth valued over 700.000 euros (there is also a separate exemption for property). So for a retiree who is living off investment income this could be a major issue. The tax rate is regional - I believe that the Madrid area is the only region with a zero rate. The rate is progressive and can be as high as 2.5% (based upon how high your wealth is over the 700.000 exemption). I haven’t figured out how this will affect my decision of Spain v. Portugal but it is something to consider. I believe Portugal also has a wealth tax, but only on real property - and properties valued under euro 300.000 are exempt.

[@andreikiselyov4921]

@@j10652 Portugal doesn’t have a wealth tax. It has a property tax, but it’s very low. It’s 10-15 times lower than the property tax on house of the same value in US!

[@MMartec]

I really think that after years if not centuries of Spanish and Portuguese decline... These are in 2021 possibly the 2 best countries to live in the world! It's fun, Its beautiful, it's safe, it's full of culture, amazing monuments, Palaces and Castles, music, dance, awaken and at the front in renewable energies, health, common sense, social policies, pension schemes, digital innovation, pollution reduction, nature protection, freedom, all gender rights and liberties, as well as anti-discrimination laws, drugs decriminalization laws, safety, security etc etc.. Plus... These are beautiful summer countries!... Caipirinha, sun and beach places! With an amazing night life!

[@traveleconomics]

I agree with almost everything. Just the taxes are too high. They are making the best minds in Portugal to leave the country and start their business and find jobs in more pro-business places like the UK, Switzerland, the US. Portugal is a great place to enjoy life, but it is ideal if your income is not from a Portuguese source. Unless you own a hotel, or a lot of real estate/ land/vineyard, etc.

[@MMartec]

@@traveleconomics Thanks for your comment! Yes, you are right, taxes are too high, average salaries are at the limit comparing with costs, and getting rich is almost impossible. Germany where I live has also very high taxes and Scandinavian countries even higher... but yes, far higher salaries and better chances for career growth. BUT.... mostly it requires terrible living standards and hardships, plus horrible climates, poor food quality and doubtful friends. One must be ready to struggle for a very long time! And forget going to paradise beaches drinking Caipirinha and planing your next flirt! ;) Your best point there is that the best minds of Portugal leave the country just the way you mentioned... It really is such a pity and the country cannot develop as fast as it could with such wasted funds (years of education, health services etc. per citizen) given to hundreds of thousands of people that earn their money and pay their taxes outside, De Facto developing other Nations. (just for example 18% of Luxembourgers (a country with one of the highest incomes per capita in the World) are actually Portuguese). But Portugal is for us a bit like "The Shire" :) We go, but we dream of it all the time, we all wish to return and after a great adventure in foreign great lands, after we reached our goal (which we normally do), yes we return to the humble, friendly, delicate, safe, sunny coasts at the edge of Europe… We only wish we are still young and sexy when we do, which not always is the case. And really, after meeting so many people that left their countries because they were not so nice, we hold very dear the fact that we are so lucky for coming from such a blessed little place far away from troubles, at the most western coast of Europe and embraced by our super cool Iberian neighbors, our excellent Spanish brothers.. with peace, beauty, music, history, contemplation and warmth. For many centuries considered the end of the world. Hence the word "Saudade" :) We've been doing it for too many centuries. It's almost in our DNA.. and yes it hurts.. We sing Fado for a reason 😊 I sadly also belong to that group... but luckily, we got cheap "Ryanair" so we can visit as often as possible :)))) But if you can live with just enough, not being too ambitious, or/and you already satisfied the traveling and sense of adventure in other lands. Portugal can be a wonderful magical place! :) Just for a feel of the nostalgia of it, try that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaHWh5ivbtOlmJo

[@madisonrose3575]

I'm Thai people 40year i love Portugal and i want to move to Portugal.

[@oforisolomon-zb2lj]

Thanks bro

[@j.m.leonardo9734]

Portugal tem coisas bonitas mas há que reconhecer os factos, a Espanha é um pais mais moderno e desenvolvido.

[@bestzohan]

Another major difference is that is harder to find people speaking English in Spain.

[@traveleconomics]

absolutely true!

[@Olsjaz]

Why y’all want everything easy? Complaining about how hard is to find people who speak English in Spain. how funny! If you go to Spain, learn Spanish. How ironic it is to see that people complain because they do not speak their language in another country.

[@josesanches8715]

Thats very true why in Spain or Portugal we have to speak english i m portuguese and i do speak english and spanish and French and italian so the english must speak the native language the country where they are or visit simples that UK now is out the EU regards to brexit they not go to be the english the main language like before force the Eton school boys like Nigel farage and Boris and company to learning diferent language make sense

[@MMartec]

​ @Hadid Mejía and @Jose Sanches Well, I think you're both missing the point... The point is that English is the world language that people from different countries use to communicate abroad... And we mean as tourists and when we do not speak the local language yet! If I go to China, please do not make me speak Mandarin :)) ...but if there is a language they might understand, that will be English, the global and easiest to learn language in the world. Or do you think I should go and learn Spanish for 3 years before visiting Gran Canaria for 7 days for example??? Of course, when you move in, you must learn the local language, whatever that is. But obviously not as a tourist...! Fact though is, that a tourist finds it 10 times harder to find people in Spain that make the effort to speak English with foreigners, while in Portugal every single person under 60 years old can do it happily even if awkward at times, and almost everyone under 40 speaks it fluently enough to even debate politics and philosophies with it...

[@jimji2774]

@@josesanches8715 Without learning the native language of the country one would always feel like an outsider and be treated that way. However if just moving to a country it is so helpful to have some help while you are learning. As an American who just returned from Mexico I always thanked the few Mexican people that could help me with a problem in English as my Spanish is still dicey. Same would be true in any country.

[@RobertRod818]

I haven't been to Portugal or Spain yet, but Spain sounds way nicer and original.

[@standupphilosopher7059]

Yes but the taxes are much more than Spain unfortunately.

[@brewgirlchina2677]

Thank you for the video, really informative! Question: Can you travel to other European countries with the non-lucrative visa from Portugal?

[@traveleconomics]

With the D7 in Portugal (or the non-lucrative visa in Spain) you can travel to other countries in the Schengen area for stays of up to 90 days in 180.

[@brewgirlchina2677]

@@traveleconomics thank you!

[@andreikiselyov4921]

@@traveleconomics Sorry, for me both English and Russian languages are almost native!!! I was absent minded and write in Russian instead of English!!! --------------- In fact, there are no borders within the Schengen zone and it is very difficult to determine how many days a person spent outside of Portugal! With a residence permit in Portugal that you get with D7 visa, you can be absent from the country for a total of 8 months out of the first 2 years and the same with a second residence permit for 3 years, but you cannot be outside of Portugal for more than 6 months in a row!

[@sajjadsiddiq1410]

How long does it now take for the tourists in Portugal to become temporary residents after getting a company contract?

[@mohammadfeizmahdavi3553]

One thing I think you I need to talk about is the tax regime of Spain. If you stay in Spain longer than 183 days a year, then you are a Spanish tax resident and therefore eligible to pay it even though your income is from outside of Spanish territories.

[@traveleconomics]

That's how it goes in most countries. Both Spain and Portugal are like this

[@moeswe7397]

Imagine you buying a house in Spain and you live in different country. Then someone occupy your house and you can’t throw them out. How is it possible to have such a law?

[@traveleconomics]

Yes, this really can happen, there are several cases of this problem in Spain.

[@moeswe7397]

@@traveleconomics then I would never buy in Spain. Only if I was Messi.

[@silveriorebelo2920]

the idea is to destroy society... the left in Spain is at the sevice of the oligarchical elite

[@traveleconomics]

@@silveriorebelo2920 yes, the left wing is a tragedy in Spain. Way too high taxes for the ordinary citizen.

[@moeswe7397]

@@traveleconomics I been to Malaga and saw what I saw. I had a good time and it’s beautiful. It’s easier to enjoy the country when you live a comfortable life and have a good income in Scandinavia. As for the citizen it’s harder to see the beauty when you concerns about your income and standard.

[@Pitbullx2012]

on important things, portugal has 14 months salary!

[@aviationfansalbania2332]

Spain is the best but also Portugal is amazing

[@traveleconomics]

indeed my friend.

[@alvafaleiro]

Spain it is best why?? The salarys are higher but they have a permanent high unemployment rate and cost of living is higher. Spain has it all but it is far because of country size, Portugal has it all in a much less area, you can easily drive 1/2 hours and reach other region, other landscape, other weather. Spain has a desert, Portugal it is green. Spain it is the hell in the summer but you cannot refresh because the waters are also warm, in Portugal it is very hot but you can refresh in the Atlantic Ocean. Spanish it is a global langual but portuguese it is too, the 5th language in the world. In Portugal almost everyone speaks English and in Spain no. Portugal it is the 3rd most safety country in world. Mind complexes...

[@Galaxy-jo6kx]

@@alvafaleiro stupid analysis

[@MMartec]

​@@alvafaleiro Apart from your uneasy tone, what you said is right, but then again, I could also support other things that are much better in Spain... Point is: some people prefer Bacalhau à Brás others prefer Paella, and that is fine don't you think? Try work on that...

[@anaramos2802]

@@Galaxy-jo6kx Define "stupid"

[@sugarlizzy4595]

Pls am a Nigeria and am looking for where to travel too inside Portugal and Spain

[@Nicosshalagalanis]

Its not fair to even compare Spain against Portugal.. Spain are on a another level on all sides..

[@andreikiselyov4921]

NHR is not covered well! It’s only 10% on some incomes outside of Portugal for 10 years! At the same time the minimal tax rate in Spain with residence permit is 24.5%! Huge difference! The author didn’t tell anything about okupas in Spain! Huge minus for Spain!

[@traveleconomics]

Not correct for Spain. It depends on the type of income. There's the beckham law now, there's also rental income which is better than the common IRPF.

[@naima8392]

4 important facts that this video missed that are important for those considering moving to these two countries:: 1. English Language: The majority of Portuguese speak English especially in big cities. This is not the case in Spain 2. Healthcare System: The Portuguese healthcare system is much better that the one in Spain 3. Friendliness of the Locals: Portuguese are known to be very friendly which is not the case in Spain. 4. Safety: Portugals is safre than Spain and was rated amongst the safest in the world On the other hand real estate is overvalued in Portugal because of the hype.

[@joyjitg]

Which location/beach is at 0:05 - 0:10?

[@traveleconomics]

canary islands if I remember well.

[@joyjitg]

@@traveleconomics Thank you sir! Nice videos!

[@anaramos2802]

Portugal vs Spain: this is a beloved topic for many youtubers. One of the aspects which was not mentioned the political differences between the two countries. Portugal has kept the same borders for centuries while Spain is not even a true, united country with 17 autonomous regions, with very different languages and cultures. Some regions wish to be independent from central government and the royal family. Many problems are associated to this fact. Portugal is the third safest country in the world. What about Spain?

[@traveleconomics]

Spain is one of the safest countries in Western Europe. But yes, Portugal is safer.

[@rodolfinhomorais6832]

not really.Portugal is one of the most economically insecure countries in Europe and the current Costa Socialist government has given us negative economic growth for nearly a decade! This is coupled with right wing independence movements in Alentejo, Miranda do Douro Municipality, Açores and Madeira (2 island chains). It is typical of the Socialist government to keep these truths out of the mainstream media but are still being leaked on social medias. Portugal has the most immigrants in all of Europe because there are no jobs at home. Another Portuguese fun fact is that on youtube we are always comparing ourselves to bigger and better Spain but *never* give solutions to our many, many problems we have to fix in Portugal 😢😔

[@traveleconomics]

@@rodolfinhomorais6832 vou escrever-te em ingles para que todos entendam. I think she meant in terms of public safety, not economic safety. In terms of economic safety, salaries are lower in PT compared to ES, but unemployment rates are much higher in ES compared to PT.

[@rodolfinhomorais6832]

@@traveleconomics Spain has 5 times the population that we have in Portugal and this is why the higher numbers. But if we adjusted to *per capita* then Portugal would have the higher unemployment rate. And yes, Portugal still has highest number of immigrants leaving to go work elsewhere because no jobs at home. Cheers

[@traveleconomics]

@@rodolfinhomorais6832 No, these are proportional numbers (but absolute too). Portugal has currently 7% unemployment rate. Spain has 14%. It is much easier to find a job in Portugal than in Spain (but still quite hard, especially one with a decent pay).

[@Omar-tu9qf]

The tax issue is a big problem. Rather live in the US and just travel there for vacation

[@traveleconomics]

It really is.

[@pedepot]

But you get healthcare and many benefits for the taxes, whereas in US taxes get you nothing. Most Americans who go broke do so because of crazy expensive healthcare, not something that happens to most other countries.

[@andreikiselyov4921]

If you didn’t live in Portugal for 5 years before becoming a resident in Portugal you can get NHR status in the country and pay only 10% tax on some of your world income earned outside of Portugal for 10 years!

[@derekf425]

Which country has the highest level of English Speaking? Portugal or Spain?

[@traveleconomics]

Portugal

[@mahed82]

My friends said he would pick who ever has less Africans and Muslims 😅.it's his choice it's his freedom he said

[@diegocenteno6877]

Spain ❤️💛💛❤️

[@mundoworld9878]

PORTUGAL🇵🇹🇵🇹🇵🇹🇵🇹🇵🇹

[@cleaningtime8156]

What about safety.?????

[@traveleconomics]

Pretty comparable. Portugal has a slight edge.

[@anaramos2802]

@@traveleconomics Portugal is safer: no social unrest, no violent demonstrations, no fights for independence...

[@rodolfinhomorais6832]

Poverty is a major problem in Portugal compared to most European countries making the streets unsafe and locals and tourists alike victims of Cigano (Portuguese repressed minority group) attacks for example.

[@Ferreira0504]

@@rodolfinhomorais6832 Not necessarily true; 22% of the Spanish population is at risk for poverty compared to 18% in Portugal. While it's true, that has Spain has a higher GDP per capita ($31,000) compared to Portugal's $26,000, the cost of living in Spain is higher.

[@Ferreira0504]

@@anaramos2802 True. Portugal is the fourth safest country in the world.

[@Josh-mk7gr]

Spain is better in general. 1. Better healthcare system. 2. More developed infrastructure with a high-speed train connecting all big cities 3. More things to do and see in Spain with many cities and regions with their own culture 4. Better food in Spain (this is personal preference and Portugal also has great food) 5. Real estate now in Lisbon is at the same price level as in Madrid or Barcelona, but salaries there are lower.

[@traveleconomics]

Have too agree. Portugal used to have an edge as it was much cheaper some 10 years ago. Now this advantage is totally gone.

[@Pitbullx2012]

wrong, 1 spain arent better healthcare system than portugal. 3- disagree, you notice many citys in spain in border city and then nothing happing, just field, deserts, while in portugal you have more villages to see, and to do too.

[@Josh-mk7gr]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@Pitbullx2012 1 - Spain has better healthcare and if you don’t believe me you can check different rankings and Spain is always above. 2 - Portugal can’t compete with Spain in the amount of things to see and do because the country is much smaller. For example, Spain has 49 world heritage sites while Portugal only has 17. Also is not true Spain has cities and towns in the border and then nothing. Many places like Madrid, Toledo, Valladolid, Salamanca, Cordoba and Zaragoza are far from the borders.

[@fernandocontreras9839]

Portugal has a Mediterranean climate? Not really... :-).

[@traveleconomics]

A good part of the Portuguese territory has Mediterranean climate according to the Koeppen classification. Even if the coast of Portugal is not on the Mediterranean, the climate is Mediterranean in a good part of the country.

[@fernandocontreras9839]

@@traveleconomics true, but not all of Portugal. Specially not Porto. Nice video anyway.

[@ricardopinto5072]

Where did you see that? On Wikipedia right😂😂😂?? I could write myself something about, Portugal has a "tropical" or even that is 100% a "desert" if you want. 😂😂😂

[@ricardopinto5072]

Continental Portugal's climate, according to Koppen's main classification divides the climate of the Portuguese territory into four main regions: 1- Sub-tropical humid climate : -Madeira Island 2- Dry climate : -Beira Baixa, Estremadura, Algarve, Alto & Baixo Alentejo 3- Temperate climate with mild winter : -Azores, Beira litoral, Douro, Minho. 4- Temperate climate with rigorous Winter : -Maciço Central da Serra da Estrela & Beira Alta, Trás-Os-Montes. A recurring question from those who are planning a trip to Portugal is "How is the climate in Portugal?" and also the variations if it will be hot or cold in a given month. So, let's get to it... Portugal has a temperate climate, where the seasons are well defined. That is, we have hot and dry summers and cold and wet winters (but not so much depending on the city. Spring and Autumn are marked by mild and pleasant temperatures. For those who like to see the cities and towns very flowery or yellow with falling leaves are excellent times to travel. It is worth remembering that since Portugal is in the Northern Hemisphere, the seasons are the opposite of Brazil. Spring: March 21 until June 20 Summer: June 21st until September 20th Autumn: September 21 until December 20 Winter: December 21 through March 20 Furthermore, the climate varies a little from region to region in mainland Portugal. In Lisbon we have plenty of sunshine and average temperatures in all seasons. In the North (Porto. Braga, Guimarães, for example) it is already a colder and rainy. In the interior North, Vila Real, Bragança and Alto Douro, it snows every year with negative temperatures. As much as the central region of Serra da Estrela and all its surroundings. On the other hand, we have the Alentejo with much drier and warmer weather and the Algarve that needs no comment and has great temperatures and sunshine almost all year round. The islands (Madeira and Azores) have more specific and different climates, because they are right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Below 2 maps of Portugal that represent the average temperatures (first) and the pluviometric index (second). This way it is possible to have a clearer notion of the climate and weather in each of the places. The two circles on the first map mark Porto (North) and Lisbon (South Central).

[@anzm8648]

Basically PORTUGAL wins

[@ricardopinto5072]

The video producer is definitely Spanish and a 🤥🤥🤥🤥🤥 He has mentioned the Portuguese minimum wage with 12 months and the Spanish with 14 months. Besides he also mentioned that Portugal has only one climate type in the entire country which is a huge lie Portugal has 3 climate types.