Greece vs Portugal: which nomad visa wins?
Greece is easier to qualify for, Greece is lighter on tax, and Greeceis cheaper day to day. Here's the full breakdown — then model it with your own income.
Updated June 2026 · figures in USD for a single applicant.
| Metric | 🇬🇷 Greece | 🇵🇹 Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| Income needed (single) | $3,815/mo | $4,011/mo |
| Tax on foreign income | Up to 44% | Up to 48% |
| Special tax regime | — | IFICI (NHR 2.0) |
| Path to citizenship | Citizenship in 7y | Citizenship in 10y |
| Comfortable budget (solo) | $1,777/mo | $2,442/mo |
| Visa length | 1 year | 1 year |
| Safety index | 73/100 | 78/100 |
| Internet | 90 Mbps | 175 Mbps |
| English | Moderate | High |
| Region | Europe | Europe |
See it with your numbers
Set your household, how you earn and your income — both countries recompute live.
Optional — unlocks age- and savings-gated visas (retirement, youth-mobility, golden visas).
Live — adjust who's going, how you earn and your income above and both columns update.
Effective tax at different incomes
Approximate all-in rate for a solo employee who becomes tax-resident.
| Monthly income | 🇬🇷 Greece | 🇵🇹 Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| $3,000/mo | 21.2% | 24.9% |
| $6,000/mo | 31.7% | 33.4% |
| $12,000/mo | 37.9% | 40.2% |
Choose 🇬🇷 Greece if…
Island living on a Western-European budget, with full Schengen access and a residence permit that genuinely counts toward EU permanent residency and citizenship.
- Time on the visa counts toward EU permanent residency (5 yrs) and citizenship (7 yrs).
- Some of the lowest costs in Western Europe.
- A renewable 2-year residence permit with full Schengen access.
Choose 🇵🇹 Portugal if…
The benchmark European nomad visa: a clear residence track, a stable route to an EU passport, and a deep community — though the 2026 reform stretched naturalisation to 10 years and the famous tax holiday is mostly gone.
- A clear residence track that counts toward permanent residency.
- Mature nomad scene in Lisbon, Porto and Madeira.
- Still a recognised, stable route to an EU passport.
Want the numbers for your income and family, with more countries?
Greece vs Portugal: FAQ
Is Greece or Portugal better for digital nomads?
Greece has the lower income bar, Greece taxes foreign income more lightly, and Greece is cheaper to live in. Greece offers the faster route to citizenship.
How much income do you need for Greece vs Portugal?
Greece requires about $3,815/mo for a single applicant; Portugal requires about $4,011/mo.
Do digital nomads pay tax in Greece or Portugal?
Greece: Tax residents (183+ days) pay standard progressive rates on worldwide income. Greece's Article 5C 50% relocation exemption requires Greek-source employment or a Greek business, so it does not apply to foreign-employer/foreign-client nomad income. — Portugal: Past ~183 days (or with a home available here) you're tax-resident and worldwide income is taxed at progressive rates — though double-tax treaties usually stop the same income being taxed twice. Self-employed under the simplified regime are taxed on just 75% of service income. IFICI's flat 20% is a narrow exception, not a default escape hatch.
Figures are 2026 planning estimates in USD for a single applicant. Confirm details on each country's official source before applying.