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🇪🇸 Spain vs 🇵🇹 Portugal: 2026 take-home pay
At $100,000 gross (single filer, 2026 model), estimated net is about $72,000 for Spain versus $80,000 for Portugal. Portugal IFICI typically beats Spain Beckham vs standard at $100k for qualifying remote workers
2026 tax data · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Source: methodology
TL;DR — Key Takeaways
- →At $100,000: Portugal (IFICI 20% model) ≈ $80,000 net vs. Spain (standard) ≈ $72,000.
- →Spain's Startup Law / Beckham regime can narrow or reverse the gap for eligible inbound workers.
- →Both are EU/Schengen; cost of living outside Madrid/Barcelona often favours Portugal.
Net Pay at $100,000 Salary (2026)
| Country | Estimated net (USD) |
|---|---|
| 🇪🇸 Spain | $72,000 |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | $80,000 |
🇪🇸
Spain
$72,000
estimated net take-home
Top rate: 47%
🇵🇹
Portugal
$80,000
estimated net take-home
Top rate: 48%
Annual delta at $100,000
🇵🇹 Portugal saves $8,000/year
Over 10 years at 7% compounding: $118,240 more
Key Tax Differences
| Factor | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇵🇹 Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| Top income tax rate | 47% | 48% |
| Effective rate at $100k | 35% | 34% |
| Taxation basis | Worldwide | Worldwide |
| Special regimes | Beckham Law (Ley Beckham) | IFICI (ex-NHR) — 20% Flat Rate Regime |
🇪🇸 Spain — Key Tax Facts
- →Standard income tax: 19%–47% combined national + regional rates.
- →Beckham Law (Ley Beckham): flat 24% on employment income up to €600k for qualifying expats for 6 years.
- →Employee social security: ~6.35%; employer: ~29.83%.
- →Regional income taxes vary — Madrid is lowest at ~0.5% flat supplement; Catalonia is highest.
- →Autonomo (self-employed) social security: compulsory minimum contribution ~€200–€500/month.
- →Wealth tax (Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio): 0.2%–3.5% on assets above €700k (varies by region).
🇵🇹 Portugal — Key Tax Facts
- →Standard income tax: 13.25%–48% progressive; surcharges add 2.5%–5% above €80k.
- →Social Security: 11% employee + 23.75% employer on gross salary.
- →IFICI (ex-NHR) regime: 20% flat rate on Portuguese-source income for 10 years for qualifying new residents.
- →Income below €7,703 is exempt from income tax (2026).
- →Foreign pension income may be taxed at 10% under the NHR transitional rules for existing holders.
- →Tax residency triggers after 183 days in Portugal in any 12-month period.
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Estimates assume a single filer with no dependents and no treaty benefits. Not tax advice. See methodology.