Winner: Portugal

Portugal and Spain both have incredibly similar weather: both have incredibly hot parts such as the Alentejo in Portugal and Andalucia in Spain and both have greener areas like the North of Portugal and Galicia in Spain. Both also have their own islands, which have their own climates which are separate to the mainland. 

Overall, however, Spain probably wins when it comes to weather as it has more areas with mild winter weather than Portugal. In Portugal, the mild winter weather is limited to anywhere south of Lisbon and especially around the Algarve. Spain, in comparison, has a much larger area of good weather that covers the South Coast and up to areas like the Costa Blanca. In this area, you』ll find several cities like Valencia, Murcia, and Malaga, whereas the only large city Portugal has that gets winter sun is Lisbon. 

The sea is also much warmer in Spain than it is in Portugal: Spain has the Mediteranean whereas Portugal has the Atlantic. However, Portugal is a better destination for surfers with several great surf spots like Nazaré, Sagres, and Ericeira. 

Island-wise, the Canaries are a better bet for weather, although Madeira has other charms. 

Unfortunately, apartments in both Spain and Portugal tend to be very cold in winter due to a lack of central heating. The lack of insulation means noise is also an issue in both, but Portugal probably does slightly better here. 

Winner: Spain

It』s difficult to compare the cost of living across both Spain and Portugal as Spain, in particular, is quite varied. Madrid and Barcelona both have a slightly prohibitive cost of living, even more so than Lisbon, which is now very expensive to live in. Most people will want to compare the cost of living in somewhere like the Alentejo versus Andalucia and not have the higher prices of Lisbon and Madrid taken into consideration. 

Many people look at the minimum wage and conclude that Portugal must be cheaper since it has a lower minimum wage: around €775 per month versus around €950 per month [source https://www.thelocal.es/20210603/explained-how-spain-plans-to-raise-its-minimum-wage-by-as-much-as-e250/]. Or, they look at websites like Numbeo which, while helpful, aren』t always accurate. Many blog posts are now out of date as property rental and purchase prices in Portugal have increased significantly. 

Comparing food and drink prices also isn』t particularly helpful and can be quite misleading. Despite the lower purchasing power, Portugal is actually more expensive than Spain for a lot of things including essentials like cars, electricity, and fuel. Walk through a Spanish town and you』ll see air con units on all of the apartment balconies. Not so in Portugal as it』s more expensive to run them. 

Which is cheaper? It』s hard to say. 

Winner: Undecided

Which country has the better food is really a matter of preference? This website is obviously biased and so will say Portuguese food is better, but…it』s also true. 

Spain does have some fantastic dishes and the tapas culture is great. Portugal may have petiscos, which are like a Portuguese version of tapas, but they』re just not as exciting and most petiscos bars are aimed at tourists anyway. 

But Spanish food, particularly in the South of Spain, is fried and beige. Portuguese food, in comparison, is often grilled and uses a lot more fresh fish. There are good foodie regions of Spain – San Sebastian and the whole region of Galicia is fantastic – but Portugal is much better overall. 

Both Spain and Portugal produce fantastic and affordable wines, and it really will come down to a matter of preference. Portugal has port wine, vinho verde, and is very good for reds, particularly from the Douro and Alentejo, but Spain produces much better sparkling wine (cava) and some fantastic whites, particularly albarinos. The Rioja region is also as good if not better than the Douro. 

Neither, unfortunately, is great for vegetarians or vegans, but Spain actually has several tapas that are authentically vegetarian, so it』s slightly easier to get by. 

Winner: Undecided (but probably Portugal)

It would take multiple articles to discuss both Spanish and Portuguese culture. Spain and Portugal definitely have a lot in common culturally, more so than Portugal and Thailand for example, but the differences are significant as well. 

I have lived and worked in both Portugal and Spain. While Portugal is slower paced and people more reserved and introverted, Spain is more dynamic and vitalistic, more modern in many ways. Spaniards are outspoken and a lively folk who seem to have energy for everything. – Grupsen (Portugalist commenter)

Both are laid-back, very family-focused, and quite closed to outsiders, but Spanish people are much louder and more confident whereas the Portuguese are shier and more reserved (although a few beers can change that). The Portuguese are a little more introspective, and reserved, and, through their love of saudade, can often come across as having quite a negative view of life, whereas the Spanish come across as more jovial and vibrant. 

Both are patriotic, both the Portuguese are perhaps much more so, and focus a lot more on their colonial past than the Spanish. In Spain, the country is much more divided and people tend to be more proud of their region than Spain as a whole. In fact, several regions want independence from Madrid whereas this struggle for independence isn』t an issue in Portugal. 

Winner: depends

Size isn』t everything, but it does come with certain benefits. Spain is much bigger than Portugal and that means it』s home to large cities whereas Portugal really only has Lisbon and Porto. Spain, in comparison, has Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla, Zaragoza, Málaga, Murcia, Palma, and Las Palmas. If you want to live in or near a city, Spain has more options. 

Bigger also means better flights: Spain is just better for international flights, particularly from Madrid and Barcelona, and often you』ll have to fly from Portugal to Spain to get an affordable international flight. Both are quite far from the rest of Europe for driving, but Portugal much more so.

Bigger also means better online shopping – Portuguese shoppers have to shop at Amazon Spain, for example – which may not seem important now, but may become important once you move somewhere. 

Winner: Spain

It』s difficult to say which country is better for expats to live in, Spain or Portugal. Ultimately, it』ll come down to two things: practicalities like visas and citizenship and which one you fall in love with. 

This site is biased, but thinks that』ll be Portugal. 

If you enjoyed this article, you might also enjoy our comparison of living in Portugal vs Italy.