• About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Unsubscribe
No Result
View All Result
Live and Invest Overseas
FREE REPORT
BEST PLACES TO RETIRE
*No spam: We will NEVER give your email address to anyone else.
  • HOME
  • COUNTRIES
    • Top Destinations
      • Panama
      • Portugal
      • Colombia
      • Northern Cyprus
      • Belize
      • Spain
      • Mexico
      • France
      • Indonesia
      • Vietnam
    • Browse All Countries
    • Best For
      • Retire Overseas Index
      • Health Care
      • Cost of Living
      • Investing in Real Estate
      • Editor’s Picks For Retirement
      • Establishing Residency
      • Starting an Online Business
      • Single Women
      • Playing Golf
  • BUDGETS
    • Super Cheap ($)
      • Cuenca, Ecuador
      • Chiang Mai, Thailand
      • The Philippines
      • Las Tablas, Panama
      • Granada, Nicaragua
    • Cheap ($$)
      • Algarve, Portugal
      • Medellin, Colombia
      • Boquete, Panama
      • Carcassone, France
      • Buenos Aires, Argentina
    • Affordable ($$$)
      • Abruzzo, Italy
      • Barcelona, Spain
      • Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic
      • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
      • Costa de Oro, Uruguay
    • Luxury On A Budget ($$$$)
      • Ambergris Caye, Belize
      • Paris, France
      • Panama City Beach Area
  • Real Estate
  • ARCHIVES
    • Living & Retiring Overseas
    • Raising A Family Abroad
    • Foreign Residency & Citizenship
    • Offshore Diversification
    • Our Latest On Coronavirus ⚠️
  • Making Money
    • International Real Estate
    • Banking
    • Employment
    • Investing
  • CONFERENCES
  • BOOKSTORE
Live and Invest Overseas
  • HOME
  • COUNTRIES
    • Top Destinations
      • Panama
      • Portugal
      • Colombia
      • Northern Cyprus
      • Belize
      • Spain
      • Mexico
      • France
      • Indonesia
      • Vietnam
    • Browse All Countries
    • Best For
      • Retire Overseas Index
      • Health Care
      • Cost of Living
      • Investing in Real Estate
      • Editor’s Picks For Retirement
      • Establishing Residency
      • Starting an Online Business
      • Single Women
      • Playing Golf
  • BUDGETS
    • Super Cheap ($)
      • Cuenca, Ecuador
      • Chiang Mai, Thailand
      • The Philippines
      • Las Tablas, Panama
      • Granada, Nicaragua
    • Cheap ($$)
      • Algarve, Portugal
      • Medellin, Colombia
      • Boquete, Panama
      • Carcassone, France
      • Buenos Aires, Argentina
    • Affordable ($$$)
      • Abruzzo, Italy
      • Barcelona, Spain
      • Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic
      • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
      • Costa de Oro, Uruguay
    • Luxury On A Budget ($$$$)
      • Ambergris Caye, Belize
      • Paris, France
      • Panama City Beach Area
  • Real Estate
  • ARCHIVES
    • Living & Retiring Overseas
    • Raising A Family Abroad
    • Foreign Residency & Citizenship
    • Offshore Diversification
    • Our Latest On Coronavirus ⚠️
  • Making Money
    • International Real Estate
    • Banking
    • Employment
    • Investing
  • CONFERENCES
  • BOOKSTORE
No Result
View All Result
Live and Invest Overseas
No Result
View All Result
Home Comparison

Portugal Vs Spain: Discover Which Is Best For You?

Would You Enjoy Life On The Iberian Peninsula?

Live and Invest Overseas by Live and Invest Overseas
Jun 13, 2020
in Comparison, Portugal, Spain
0 0
0
Seville, Spain

Image Source: iStock/SeanPavonePhoto

859
SHARES
12.1k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Spain and Portugal are two neighboring countries with a long rivalry. These two nations have a lot in common but there are some big differences too. We take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of each. Which country is best for you?

Spain Is Best For You…

Barcelona view across the city
Image Source: iStock/Gatsi

Already Speak Spanish

Marbella, Spain cafe by the sea
Image Source: iStock/J2R

Spanish is taught in schools throughout the United States. Recent estimates put the number of Spanish speakers in the U.S. as over 41 million in 2020. If you count yourself amongst this number then a move to Spain makes sense.

You can integrate quickly and easily and instantly make the most of your new life in Spain. Already speaking the language will allow you to find a job more easily or start a business.

It’s true that speaking Spanish will make it easier for you to pick up Portuguese. The languages share lots of similarities that will allow you to learn more quickly.

If you want to learn Portuguese quickly, in a friendly environment, then we recommend the Portuguese Connection School. You can learn in person at their Lisbon school, or online. The Lisbon school includes days out to help you learn. These include wine tastings and food workshops.

Get Your Free​ ​Spain Report Today!

​ Learn more about ​​​​​Spain ​​​and other countries in our FREE, daily Overseas Opportunity Letter​​​​​​​​​. Simply enter your email address below and we’ll send you our FREE REPORT – ​​The 10 Best Places To Retire In 2023

More City Options

Valencia fountain and historic buildings
Image Source: iStock/Rrrainbow

Spain has far more options for people who prefer life in the city. Madrid and Barcelona are major cities with a great lifestyle, but prices are high. If you have the money they are top options and are also a safe place to put your money.

Where Spain really shines is with its smaller cities. Valencia is one such option. It benefits from everything you could want from a city, architecture, culture, public transportation and more. It’s small enough to feel safe and friendly and also far more affordable than Madrid or Barcelona. Valencia is by coast, with great beaches.

Another option to consider is Seville. This is another very affordable option for city living. Seville is famous for its architecture and it is also very pedestrian-friendly. Living in Seville you won’t need to worry about owning a car. Lots of people choose to get around by bike or on foot.

Time goes slowly in Seville, people still take their daily siesta and people never seem to be in a hurry. The weather plays a part in this, during the summer months the city can feel oppressively hot. Spring and autumn are the best times to be in Seville. It’s also a good option if you want somewhere mild to spend the winter.

Portugal Is Best For You If…

Porto river with boats and city in the background
Image Source: iStock/Sean Pavone

Affordable Living

People sitting outside in a cafe. Lagos, Portugal
Image Source: iStock/CaronB

Living well in Spain isn’t expensive, but Portugal can be a bargain. Porto and Lisbon are big cities with plenty of affordable options for expats looking to relocate overseas. Prices in parts of Lisbon have been increasing, thanks to heavy investment from overseas buyers.

There are still plenty of affordable options to be found in Lisbon, though. Marvila and Beato are interesting options, with plenty going on. This is where young entrepreneurs are opening micro-breweries, cafes, and restaurants.

Porto is Portugal’s second city and prices here are lower than the capital. Porto is a small city which has some benefits. Boavista, for example, is a just a 20 minute walk from the town, but prices here are considerably less. If you prefer to live in town, the downtown Baixa area and Foz are both good neighborhoods with lots to do.

The Algarve is a popular tourist destination, but expats can still find affordable real estate options. The Quarteira region has great beaches and lots of well-priced real estate. Before the COVID-19 crisis, real estate here was bringing in steady rental returns. Something to consider if you are only living in Portugal part of the year.

Get Your Free Portugal Report Today!

Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you our ​FREE REPORT — Portugal: The World’s #1 Retirement Haven.

Residency

albandeira portugal
Image Source: iStock/pkazmierczak

Portugal’s Golden Visa remains one of the best residency options in the world with the option of full citizenship after 5 years. You only need to spend 7 days in Portugal for the first year, and 14 days of the following years. These days are the total amount, you don’t have to be in Portugal for 14 days consecutively.

The cost of residency in Portugal is not the most affordable, but it’s worth remembering you are paying for E.U. residency. This allows you free entry and free movement between any other E.U countries. Invest 500,000 Euros anywhere in Portugal and you are eligible. If you choose to live in a low-density area, the minimum investment is lowered to 400,000 Euros.

There is a way to obtain residency by spending even less. Buy an older (more than 30 years old) property in a “rehabilitation” zone, and the price falls to 350,000 Euros. A rehabilitation zone is an area the government have earmarked for investment and gentrification in a city.

The cheapest way to obtain residency is by spending on an older property in a countryside “rehabilitation” zone. This lowers the price to 280,000 although you have to allow for the cost of refurbishing the property and carrying out repairs.

Both Are Great For…

Beaches

algarve quiet beach sunny day
Source: iStock/SimonDannhauer

Both countries score strongly in this area.

Spain has the advantage of being on the Mediterranean Coast. This means the water here is a fair bit warmer than in Portugal. During the summer months water temperatures in Spain are somewhere between 76 and 82 degrees. Combined with air temperatures in the (sometimes high) 90s this is just about perfect.

Beaches in Spain can be crowded during peak season. Quiet beaches can be difficult to find as people from across both Spain and Europe head here for the summer.

Portugal is on the Atlantic Coast, and the water temperature can be bracing. The maximum temperature is likely to be around 75 degrees. This isn’t cold by any means, but you won’t want to spend hours in the water without getting out to warm up in the sun. With the high temperatures of the Portuguese summer, some people find the colder water more refreshing. It depends what you’re looking for.

Portuguese beaches are some of the cleanest in the world. The country has the highest concentration of Blue-Flag beaches that you can find anywhere. Both the waters and the sand are pollution-free.

While some beaches can get just as crowded as in Spain, there are also long empty stretches to be found. If you want to relax somewhere quiet, you won’t have difficulty finding a spot in Portugal.

Food And Drink

paella dish in Valencia Spain
Image Source: iStock/VadimZakirov

Both countries have a lot of cuisine in common. This isn’t always the case with countries next to each other. Think France and Germany. Common flavors of garlic and paprika dominate. There are lots of cured and smoked meats, and an emphasis on rice-heavy dishes.

There is also a big emphasis on seafood which is fresh and cheap. A love of seafood isn’t essential, but if you’re moving to Portugal or Spain it’s a big help.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking Spanish Tapas and Portuguese Petiscos are similar, though. Both countries are proud of their appetizers and will take offence if you use the wrong term. Although you may find some similarities between them, there are more differences. Petiscos tends to have more seafood and there are more regional variations.

The one thing that everyone can agree on is that both Petiscos and Tapas are great served with a cold beer.

Oliver Lovett

Share350Tweet212
Live and Invest Overseas

Live and Invest Overseas

Related Posts

A beautiful beach in Faro, Portugal
Portugal

Faro, Portugal, Is Not What I Expected

by Live And Invest Overseas
March 20, 2023
0

I was wrong about Faro… Before I ever saw the city, I convinced myself it was boring. My rationale? It...

Read more
Douro river in Porto, Portugal

Life In Porto: The City That Beats To The Rhythm Of Its Own Drum

March 16, 2023
Historic Church of Bom Jesus do Monte and her public garden in Braga, Portugal

Why Braga, Portugal, Captured Our Hearts

February 23, 2023
Day aerial cityscape of Santander coast with sand beach, Cantabria, Spain

Santander, Spain

February 22, 2023
Panorama from the sky, tourist resort in Vilamoura, Portugal

Vilamoura, Portugal

February 22, 2023
Colorful boats on Gilao river in picturesque Tavira, Portugal

Living In Tavira, Portugal, As An Expat Is A Dream Come True

February 9, 2023
Should You Come To Tavira, Portugal?

Should You Come To Tavira, Portugal?

January 2, 2023

Start Your New Life Today, Overseas ...

A world full of fun, adventure, and profit awaits! Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we'll send you a FREE report on the 10 Best Places To Retire In Style Overseas Today.

Get Your Free Portugal Report Today!

​​Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you our ​FREE REPORT — Portugal: The World’s #1 Retirement Haven.

LIOS Resources


  • New To LIOS
  • Ask An Expert
  • Media Center
  • Contact Us
  • FAQs

Quick Links


  • Best Places To Live
  • Best Places To Retire
  • Finding A Job Overseas
  • Real Estate

Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and get your FREE report: The 10 Best Places To Retire Overseas In 2023

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Unsubscribe

© 2008-2023 - Live and Invest Overseas - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Countries
  • Budgets
  • Archives
  • News
  • Events
  • Bookstore
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Members Area
  • Contact Us

© 2008-2023 - Live and Invest Overseas - All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Download your FREE report on

The Best Places To Retire In 2023

New Year, New You, New Life Overseas

Sign up for FREE and learn how to live the good life on a modest budget, find bargain property, and more. Plus, check out our free report on the 10 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE.

RETIRE OVERSEAS AND LIVE LIKE ROYALTY

Get Your Free ​Portugal Report Today!
 

​​Learn more about ​​PORTUGAL ​​​and other countries in our free, daily Overseas Opportunity Letter​​​​​​​​​. Simply enter your email address below and we’ll send you our FREE REPORT — Portugal — The World’s Number #1 Retirement Haven