We . Diff. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Discover the best places in the world to live. If you love checking off tourist destinations, and youre big on attractions, Spain definitely takes the win here. For simplicity, Ive also US dollars and typically use xe.com to get up-to-date currency conversion rates. Save up to 32% off trips to every continent on earth. Travel around Spain. To each their own. This site is biased, but thinks thatll be Portugal. Portugal is known for its coastline, so there are plenty of beaches. Spain vs Portugal: Which is the Better Destination For You? - Jetsetter Spain has a much larger tourism scene, meaning long lines and crowds during peak season. Both the Canary Islands and the Azores are known for its luscious and unique landscape. History floats through Lisbon and Portugal, which is apparent through the architecture. This is at no additional cost to you and it does not affect our editorial standards in any way. The Best 10 Days In Portugal and Spain Itinerary Hotels Hostels Country Travel Cost Rankings Cheapest Cities in Europe Country Budget Comparisons Tours Here is an overview of travel cost comparisons for Europe. Both are laid-back, very family-focused, and quite closed to outsiders, but Spanish people are much louder and more confident whereas the Portuguese are shier and more reserved (although a few beers can change that). Save Money! Something quite memorable would be a sunset horseback ride on the beach ($58.00 per person. Keep in mind that this is mostly using apartments or apart-hotels that offer spacious two-bedroom apartments with kitchens, which allow you to save on eating out. While Spain is definitely still on the cheaper side for most of Europe, Portugals the winner. There are numerous tour companies that offer the opportunity to visit both Spain and Portugal. This can be great if you enjoy experiencing different cultures and meeting people from all over the world. Spain Vs. Portugal (Why We Rate One of Them Supreme) - TravelSpock.com 2009 - 2023 Jetsetter All rights reserved. The NHR is a big draw for foreign retirees in Portugal, allowing them to save a lot on taxes. You can learn more about various European Golden Visa programs in our guide, Which European Golden Visa Schemes Are Best By Value? Recommended option Fly Sevilla to Lisbon, subway Fly from Sevilla (SVQ) to Lisbon (LIS) Take the subway from Campo Grande to Odivelas Explore the best of the world. I once hopped into a cab in Barcelona and received a grouchy Catalan or Englishno Spanish! when I tried to give my address. Given these parameters, a total Portugal vacation budget for a family of four visiting in June for a total of seven nightsfor two adults and two childrenwould be approximately $8,700, or $310 per person, per day. Portugal vs Spain: Which Travel Destination is Right For You? In Spain, state healthcare is free at the point of use. If youre still unsure, it might be worth trying to live in both for some time and decide which suits you best. Hi! Anyone looking to go to a party in Spain should also be aware of the party scene of Ibiza Island. Jump on one of the yellow trams that take visitors across the cities, often onto tight streets. Spain has bigger cities filled with hustle and bustle, including museums, shops, world-class food, and famous art. If youre on a tight time frame, seeing most of Portugal is fairly doable. The water off the Atlantic will be fairly chilly compared to the Mediterranean beaches. I've been to both and they're often lumped together by foreigners, but the 2 countries are very dissimilar: the people, the vibe, the sights, the history. </> Embed Prices in Portugal vs Spain We calculate prices for Portugal and Spain as a population-weighted mean of 124 and 153 cities, respectively. If youre looking to tour a whole country, Portugal is significantly easier to see more of. If youre planning to move to a country with low taxes, neither Spain nor Portugal should really be considerations. You may also want to sign up for a boat tour to see the caves or look for dolphins (from $36 per person.). All content, including comments, should be treated as informational and not advice of any kind, including legal or financial advice. It would take multiple articles to discuss both Spanish and Portuguese culture. Covered in tiles and palm trees, it doesnt feel like the major metropolis it really is. Portugal vs Spain: Which travel destination is right for More about us Expatra Ltd.Registered in the United KingdomCompany Number: 09686420, Which European Golden Visa Schemes Are Best By Value, Non-Habitual Residence Regime in Portugal. You can very frequently find direct, economy fares on TAP for around $500 per person. Most people enjoy them with a latte, but if coffee isn't your thing, they are still yummy on their own. Expats in both countries are required to pay taxes on their worldwide income. Walk through a Spanish town and youll see air con units on all of the apartment balconies. Find the latest travel requirements for your trip. Sometimes I will opt for the pricier EuropeCar vs. the off-brand competitors because of the quality of the car and service (and insurance pricing built-in). Let's examine the Golden Visa Spain vs Portugal in more detail. Travel Smarter! Comparing food and drink prices also isnt particularly helpful and can be quite misleading. Get the real picture with both traveler and expert reviews to ensure the trip you book is the right one for you. Another alternative: Head north to Pamplona to watch the running of the bulls or make the pilgrimage by foot on the Camino del Santiago to the Santiago de Compostela. If youre looking to travel on a budget, and youre hitting the major cities, Lisbon is a more affordable destination compared to Barcelona and/or Madrid. Similarly, you cant go wrong in the summer months. Find the right adventure for you through Portugal and Spain. Portugal's Golden Visa processing time is comparably slower, as it takes at least 18 months after the online submission. For Spain, while you can take a high speed train to Madrid from Barcelona in around 3 hours, youre cutting through the country and missing so many awesome cities. If you dont want it, just decline and ask them to take it away. If you want smaller crowds but youre traveling during summer, consider Portugal. Spain (especially southern Spain) boasts sun, sand, and incredible azure water. Portuguese is the official language of Portugal. In comparison, Portugal's D7 visa requires the main applicant to have at least the equivalent of the Portuguese minimum wage (around 760 per month as of 2023) and another 50% for the partner. In this sense, youre better off renting a car. Spain is more accessible from other European destinations than Portugal. Winner: Undecided (but probably Portugal). the estimated difference in money purchasing power Portugal Spain Share this infographic! Experience some of the best seafood found in the Mediterranean, including options such octopus, prawns, and cod. Spain and Portugal are two top vacation destinations in Europe with beautiful sandy beaches, a warm sunny climate and a low cost of living. Portugal enjoys mild winters and warm summers, offering a more temperate climate overall. Both countries have a special type of visa/residence for foreign retirees and passive income earners: D7 in Portugal and a Non-Lucrative visa in Spain. Europe - Portugal vs. Spain - Hello~ We are thinking of Portugal for next vacation - last was 4 yrs (way too long!) Which is More Expensive? Or you can explore the island of Madeira for a wine youd rather drink than cook with (trust me!). But there are a few key differences, too. Ultimately, itll come down to two things: practicalities like visas and citizenship and which one you fall in love with. But while its hot-blooded, fiesta-loving, fiery-tempered bigger sister has long bragged about its beauty, Portugal has always whispered quietly about its charms. All rights reserved. (2023 Travel Budget) Portugal may only rank #10 on the list of most visited countries in Europe, but tourism interest in Portugal is growing and one of the reasons, beyond its amazing culture, landscapes, and food/wine, is the relatively low cost of a Portugal vacation. If youre looking to get to some of the islands in Spain, budget airlines offer affordable flights. Both destinations are popular in the colder months, as its an easy winter escape from the cold. Or, they look at websites like Numbeo which, while helpful, arent always accurate. Spain. Portugals charm comes from its laid-back cafe culture. However, if you're looking for a rapid change of seasons, Spain is your best bet. Other than these differences, there is little to choose between the two countries. While TAP is a low-cost carrier, it is a step above budget airlines and offers upgrades to Economy Xtra and a spacious Executive Class. Access insider tips and hotel recommendations from our travel tastemakers. View travel requirements for countries around the world. [More Info]. The latter two are known for your traditional beaches. However, you can take advantage of a special Non-Habitual Residence Regime in Portugal. Thanks to smaller budget airlines, there are plenty of cheap flights from within Europe to various cities across Spain, including Seville, Valencia, and Malaga. And no whiskey lover would miss tasting the Spanish sherries that flavor many of the oak barrels in which the spirit is often aged. Both Spain and Portugal allow you to apply for citizenship (and that coveted EU passport) after a period of living there, a process known as naturalisation. Both offer a high quality of life, great weather, and a relaxed lifestyle. Dont forget to also budget fortravel insurancefor a trip to Portugal! Less well known is the sweet yet medicinal vino de naranja, or orange wine, that comes exclusively from Andalusia. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. If youre short on time, just visiting the three major cities, and/or dont mind renting a car, Portugal should be considered. Boston or Newark both offer direct flights to Portugal) during high season in June and staying for seven nights, which is just enough time to see a bit of Lisbon or Porto and one of the other regions. Portugal may be more your scene. In Portugal, you have to have been married for three years or in a long-term relationship or stable union, but dont have to have lived in Portugal. Spain, in comparison, has a much larger area of good weather that covers the South Coast and up to areas like the Costa Blanca. Spain won 3 matches. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Spain, for one, is five times the size of Portugal, making it difficult to see it all in one go. At first glance, it seems that whether you're a low earner or a high earner, the tax brackets for 2022 are generally more favourable in Spain than in Portugal, where they are slightly higher. Portugal has the Azores, while Spain has the Canary Islands, Ibiza, and Majorca. Last minute changes OK. Portugal has the Azores, while Spain has the Canary Islands, Ibiza, and Majorca. I typically use AutoEurope when looking to compare the best car rental rates in Europe. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms. If youre a white wine drinker or into fortified wines, its Portugal all the way. If youre an art fanatic, Spain is definitely the place for you. If youre a red wine drinker, Spain. A special wine that must be tried when visiting Portugal is the acidic yet crisp green wine. Vinho verde pairs well with seafood. Shoulder season helps ease the crowds and long lines. Jen has been a staff editor at Architectural Digest, Travel + Leisure, and Martha Stewart Weddings, and her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Afar, and Elle Decor.