SpanisLearning a new language requires patience, commitment and practice. So it’s natural for you to wonder what’s the best choice: “If I’m making all this effort, I better get a great ROI”. Today I’ll help you to decide whether to choose Portuguese or Spanish in case you’re hesitating between the two of them.
Please, keep in mind the right answer depends on a lot of personal factors. But hopefully this list will give you a better idea on which ones to consider before deciding.
Which one has a wider presence? SPANISH ✅
While Brazil is the most populated and largest country in Latin America, in terms of wider-range, Spanish is spoken in 21 countries! Not including the high population of hispanic and latino community in the USA and Canada, who also speak Spanish even when it’s not the official language in those countries.
Portuguese, in contrast, is only spoken in nine countries, being Brazil and Portugal at people’s top of mind.
Of course, the relevance of this factor depends on your personal case. If you’re traveling to Latin America, Spanish will be your life-saver. But if you’re a frequent tourist in Lisbon or Porto (hot spots for vacation for North Americans and Europeans), Portuguese will be more useful for you.
Which one is better for business in the Americas? SPANISH ✅
Spanish offers a strategic advantage for anyone looking to do business, especially in the Americas. 4 out of the 6 most influential and populated cities in LATAM speak Spanish.
While São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) are in a respectable first and third place, the rest of the Spanish speaking cities surpass them when combined. Together –Mexico City, Monterrey, Buenos Aires and Bogotá– represent over 53 million people (a huge market for potential costumers!) and over $730 billion USD.
Besides the LATAM region, Spanish is a better choice for businesses in the Americas as is the second most spoken language in the USA. Especially in states such as Florida, California, Texas… where Spanish has such a significant presence, that it has become a great asset for business: whether to reach the Hispanic and Latino market, or to communicate with employees and customers on a daily basis.
Spanish is also the one with the fastest growth: Right now (2024), the US is the fifth country with most Spanish speakers worldwide. And according to Alberto Colonello ––trends and prospective specialist–– the US soon will take the third place due to its outgrowing tendency.
Once again, everything depends on your personal goals. If you’re working for a Brazilian company or if your business is more interested in targeting the Brazilian market for whatever reason, I think you have your answer.
Which one is better for business in Europe? IT’S A TIE! ⭕️
Spain and Portugal have become major hot spots for establishing offices. Both countries have a strategic location, well-developed infrastructure, and access to the broader European market, all while having flexible regulations, lower wages compared to many other countries in Europe and overall attractiveness.
Which one is better though?
If you’re looking to access the consumer market for your product or service, Spain offers a larger market with a population of around 47.6 million people. Portugal, on the contrary, has a significantly lower population: around 10 million people.
Besides the people living there, Spain also wins this round in terms of tourist population. Spain is the number one destination for vacation for the Britishes, Norwains, Swedishs and many more. Meaning, besides the local market, you can have access to the transitional one. In fact, in 2022, Spain received approximately 71.5 million international tourists, and Portugal, 27 million. (Dataestur, 2025)
However, if you’re looking for a place to settle your offices, without focusing on the local market, Portugal offers great advantages. The average gross monthly salary in Spain is around €2,000, while in Portugal, it is approximately €1,200. This difference can reduce labor costs, which might be advantageous for your company’s budget.
In terms of regulations, Portugal has a more flexible labor market with fewer bureaucracy. Setting up a business in Portugal is relatively straightforward, with initiatives like the «Empresa na Hora» (Company in an Hour). It also offers several incentives for foreign investors, including tax benefits and support for startups. No wonder why Lisbon and Porto are having a growing reputation as a tech hub.
So, once again, whether to learn Spanish or Portuguese, it will depend on your personal business goals.
Which one is better for cultural reasons? IT’S A TIE! ⭕️
Both Spanish and Portuguese are culturally rich and worth learning. Spanish will allow you to communicate in 21 countries, each with its own unique traditions, history, and food. From experiencing flamenco in Buenos Aires and the amazing nightlife in Medellín to eating tacos al pastor in Mexico City and tapas in Barcelona.
Portuguese, for its hand, gives you access to Brazil’s vibrant music and festivals, Portugal’s rich history, and the unique cultures in places like Angola and Mozambique.
It’s impossible to set a winner in this section. Learning any language lets you dive into amazing cultural experiences.
If you still haven’t figured out which culture you’re leaning more into, try to check some movies, music or other cultural products in that language. Here’s a list of movies in Spanish to start.
In summary…
Long story short: Spanish or Portuguese? Well, Spanish offer more advantages specially in the Americas. However, both offer great advantages and the «right language» for you will depend a lot on your own goals.
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