Where can your pension take you?
Compare 20+ destinations across cost of living, healthcare, climate, and visa-friendliness — then run our wizard to find your personal top match.
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Valencia is the cheaper of the two: about $2,000/month for one retiree versus $2,200 in Lisbon, a gap of $200/month (2026 editorial estimates). The main retiree route is the D7 Passive Income Visa (from €920/month) in Portugal and the Non-Lucrative Visa (from €2,400/month) in Spain.
| Lisbon, Portugal | Valencia, Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly budget — single | $2,200 (Numbeo) | $2,000 (Numbeo) |
| Monthly budget — couple | $3,000 | $2,800 |
| Rent (one-bedroom, single budget) | $1,300 | $1,100 |
| Main retiree visa | D7 Passive Income Visa | Non-Lucrative Visa |
| Minimum income | €920/month (AIMA — Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) | €2,400/month (Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs) |
| Path to permanent residency | Permanent residency after 5 years; citizenship after 10 years for most non-EU/CPLP nationals (May 2026 Nationality Law) | Permanent residency after 5 years |
| Foreign pension tax | Taxed | Taxed |
| Healthcare rating | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Safety rating | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Visa friendliness | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Climate | mediterranean | mediterranean |
| English | Widely spoken | Common in cities |
| Expat community | Large expat community | Large expat community |
| Last checked | May 31, 2026 | Aug 9, 2026 |
How to read these labels: Official requirement restates a rule published by a government authority; Editorial estimate is our 2026 budget model for one retiree; Editorial summary condenses official tax rules; Editorial rating is our 0–10 score. “Checked” is the date our editors last reviewed the figure. Rules change — confirm with the authority before you apply. Full methodology
Tax in Portugal: NHR closed to new arrivals in 2024 and its successor (IFICI) rarely fits retirees, so most new residents pay ordinary progressive Portuguese income tax on foreign pensions.
Tax in Spain: Tax residency starts at 183+ days and covers worldwide income at progressive rates; double-tax treaties decide which country taxes each pension type.