Portugal and Spain continue to appear among the most popular destinations for Brits who are considering changing their lives, but the most recent data shows that interest in Portuguese territory is growing, while Spanish shows signs of slowing down.
An analysis of searches carried out on Google in the United Kingdom, cited by the British newspaper The Sun, indicates that Portugal currently occupies sixth position among the countries with the greatest increase in interest related to emigration. The study points to an annual increase of 18.90% in searches associated with moving to Portugal.
According to Mike Harvey, general director of the British moving company 1st Move International, the context in Spain contributed to this trend. “Mass tourism and the decision to impose taxes on foreign buyers have affected accessibility, making it more complex for retirees and long-term residents to move to Spain,” he said.
The official adds that “interest in Spain among the British has started to diminish and the neighboring country, Portugal, could take the lead in the coming years”. Portugal is already in the top 10 favorite destinations for British expatriates.
Numbers show decline in Spain
Data from the Spanish National Statistics Institute, cited by the British newspaper The Olive Press, reveals that the number of British residents in Spain fell by 2.2% in 2024.
The total number of UK citizens living in Spanish territory stood at 266,462, down from the 272,402 recorded in the previous year. Currently, the British represent 3.9% of foreign residents in Spain, compared to 4.2% in 2023.
When comparing the two countries, the similarities are evident, especially in terms of climate. Both record around 300 days of sunshine a year, far exceeding UK weather conditions.
Some weather portals indicate that Portugal may be a little sunnier than Spain. In cities like Lisbon, the influence of the Atlantic breeze makes the climate milder, especially along the west coast. During winter, temperatures average around 10 degrees Celsius in both countries, remaining relatively mild by European standards, according to the source cited above.
Beaches and tourism continue to weigh
Spain has historically been a popular choice due to the size of its coastline, which is over 8,000 kilometers long and has over 3,000 beaches. In 2025, 638 of these beaches had Blue Flag status. Portugal, with a shorter coastline of around 1,800 kilometers (including mainland and islands), had approximately 400 Blue Flag beaches last year.
In tourist terms, the difference is significant. Spain received 94 million international visitors in 2023, while Portugal reached a record 31.6 million tourists in 2024, according to the same source.
Cost of living as a differentiating factor
The cost of living appears as one of the arguments in favor of Portugal. A dinner for two people in a mid-range restaurant is around 40 euros, while in Spain the average is 50 euros. The price of a local beer can start at 2 euros in Portugal and is around 3 euros in Spain. A cappuccino costs, on average, 1.81 euros in Portugal and around 1.90 euros in Spain.
On public transport, a single ticket costs approximately 2 euros in Portugal and 1.50 euros in Spain, says the same source. As for rent in urban centers, the values are similar: around 943 euros per month in Portugal and 950 euros in Spain.
Visas and residency requirements
On an administrative level, Portugal is often seen as more accessible to British citizens, particularly through the D7 visa, intended for those with passive income.
In Spain, the British need a non-profit residence visa, which requires proof of higher income and implies stricter stay rules, according to the .
With differences in fiscal, administrative and cost of living terms, Portugal is emerging as a growing alternative for Britons considering emigrating, in a context in which Spain continues to be a reference destination, but faces new challenges.
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