Spain’s Non-Profit Visa vs. Portugal’s D7 Visa

Published: 20-05-2026

The definitive comparison to choose your residence in 2026

In recent years, the Iberian Peninsula has become one of the preferred destinations for those seeking quality of life, stability, legal security and access to the Schengen area. Among the most popular residency routes for profiles with their own resources, two options stand out: Spain’s Non-Profit Visa and Portugal’s D7 Visa.

Both can be attractive to annuitants, retirees, international families and conservative investors. However, their financial requirements, type of income accepted, workability and nationality strategy are very different.

Essential comparison

Economic requirements

Spain: a high economic threshold

The Non-Profit Visa requires proof of sufficient financial means to live without working in Spain. In 2026, as the monthly IPREM remains at €600, the indicative threshold is €2,400 per month for the main applicant and an additional €600 per month for each family member. In annual computation, this is equivalent to approximately €28,800 for the principal applicant and €7,200 per dependent family member.

Portugal: a more accessible economic reference

The D7 is based on the Portuguese minimum wage. In 2026, the official reference is €920 per month for the main applicant, with a 50% reduction for the first companion and 30% for minors or dependent children. In comparative terms, the Portuguese minimum threshold is significantly lower than the Spanish one, although the dossier must demonstrate stable income, traceability and real availability in Portugal.

In addition, although a Portuguese bank account was traditionally required for the residency phase, in current practice it is no longer mandatory to have a Portuguese account. AIMA accepts crediting funds in euros through digital banks such as Wise, Revolut or other European banks. Even so, it is still advisable to have a Portuguese account for reasons of convenience and documentary consistency during the renewal process.

2. Types of income

Spain: solvency without labor activity

In Spain, for the Non-Profit Visa, what is relevant is not only to have funds, but to demonstrate that the interested party can support himself without performing labor activity in Spanish territory. The origin of the income can be diverse – savings, rents, investments, interests, pensions or dividends – and the Spanish legal system allows to be the owner of companies and to receive dividends as long as the participation is passive, that is to say, without carrying out functions of administration, management or provision of services. Spain clearly distinguishes between working and obtaining income from capital: the former is prohibited with this visa, the latter is perfectly compatible.

Portugal: passive income and economic link

Portugal adopts a different approach based on the stability of the income and its foreign origin. For D7, pensions, rents, dividends, interest or royalties are accepted, but also income from professional activity as long as such activity does not require the presence of the interested party and can continue to operate autonomously from the country of origin. For example, dependent employment contracts are not considered valid, nor are activities to be carried out from Portugal before obtaining residence. The determining criterion is that the income is regular, demonstrable and generated entirely outside Portugal.

3. Labor flexibility

Spain: strictly non-profit authorization

The Non-Profit Visa does not allow employment in Spain in any form. The interested party cannot work as an employee, be self-employed or actively participate in the management of a company. However, it can be passive partner of companies and receive dividends, since these are considered yields of the capital and not labor activity. If at any time you wish to start, manage a business or work, the correct way is to request a modification to a permit that does authorize it, such as work for others, self-employment or international teleworkers, which can be done only after completing at least 1 year with the Non-Profit Visa.

Portugal: more margin after obtaining residency

Portugal starts from a similar approach at the time of applying for D7, since the visa is based on foreign income and not on local labor activity. However, once residency is granted, the scope for economic activity is greater than in Spanish non-profit residency. The interested party may act as a partner, receive dividends, initiate compatible economic activity, undertake projects or even apply for work permits or highly qualified activity permits on renewal by change of basis. Portugal does not conceive the D7 as a work visa, but its legal framework allows a more natural evolution towards economic activity once residence has been obtained.

4. Permit duration and renewals

Spain

The initial authorization has a duration of 1 year. Renewal, in general, is granted for 2 years, unless a long-term or long-term-EU authorization is required. Proof of effective residence is relevant both for renewal and for future nationality. In addition, for the renewal it must be proven the availability of sufficient economic resources to cover the new period of residence, which will be of 2 years, which implies a relevant economic burden. However, if it is not possible to meet this requirement, a modification to another authorization, such as residence and work as an employee, self-employed or authorization for international teleworkers, could be considered, provided that the specific requirements of the corresponding route are met.

Portugal

The residence visa allows you to enter Portugal to apply for a residence permit. The general Portuguese temporary residence is for 2 years and is renewable for 3-year periods. It also requires effective residence and documentary coherence with the initial migratory project. The Portuguese system does not contemplate exact modifications as the Spanish ones, but allows changing the residence category, but not by means of an immediate modification as in Spain, but at the time of renewal and provided that the change is duly justified according to the migratory project of the interested party and the nature of the authorization requested, which in practice offers alternatives for those who wish to migrate towards labor or entrepreneurship categories.

5. Nationality: the point that most changes the strategy in 2026.

Spain

Spain maintains the general rule of 10 years of legal, continuous residence immediately prior to the application. However, certain nationals – including nationals of origin from Ibero-American countries, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal and Sephardic countries – may apply for nationality by residence after 2 years.

Portugal

Portugal, after the 2026 reform, eliminates the possibility of naturalization after five years. The most important change for migratory planning is the tightening of the deadline for access to nationality, with a general rule of 10 years and a reduced deadline of 7 years for nationals of EU and CPLP countries, according to the approved text.

7. Cost of living and integration

Portugal

Portugal tends to appeal to those looking for a more moderate cost of living, smaller cities, established international communities and a quiet lifestyle. Lisbon and Porto have increased prices, but many areas remain competitive with Madrid or Barcelona.

Spain

Spain offers a wider territorial network, large international cities, high connectivity, a solid health and education system and a very diverse cultural, gastronomic and business offer. For Latin American clients, language and cultural proximity can be decisive.

So which pathway might be a better fit?

Conclusion: there is no universally better option. The choice between the Spanish Non-Profit Visa and the Portuguese D7 Visa depends on the level of income, type of wealth, actual residence, tax planning, work plans and nationality objective. At Gentile Law we analyze each case from an immigration, tax and wealth perspective to design a safe and coherent strategy before starting the procedure.

If you need help or advice on the need to file the informative declaration on assets abroad, at Gentile Law we have a team of experts in the field ready to advise you.

This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.

Contact us:

Eliézer Ruan
Head of Global Mobility at Gentile Law
eliezerruan@gentile.law eliezerruan@gentile.law
+34 604 516 052

Lais Verissimo
Paralegal of Global Mobility at Gentile Law
laisverissimo@gentile.law laisverissimo@gentile.law laisverissimo@gentile.law
+34 684 463 736