Country vs country

United Arab Emirates vs Portugal

Side by side for a genuine tax resident, with €150,000 a year in dividends or foreign income.

	United Arab Emirates	Portugal
Personal income	0%	20% / 0%
Company tax	0–9%	20%
Minimum days	90	183
Cost of residency	Expensive	Medium
Tax on €150,000 a year	€0	€0
Monthly cost for one person, rent included	€2,800	€2,025
In the EU	No	Yes
Spanish blacklist	No	No
Crypto gains	No personal income tax or capital gains tax for individuals.	28% on crypto held under 365 days; gains on crypto held 365 days or more are exempt.
Pension	No personal income tax, so foreign pensions are untaxed.	Old NHR 10% closed to newcomers; new IFICI regime excludes pensions, so progressive rates up to 48% apply. About 20% effective.

Who wins

It depends on your case: your nationality, the country you leave and how you earn your money change the answer.