Best Digital Nomad Visas in Europe for Pakistan Citizens
Digital nomad visas offer remote workers a chance to live abroad and start a new chapter in their lives for both themselves and their family members. This is especially true for digital nomad visas for Pakistan citizens who work remotely.
As of 2024, Europe is the only region of the world to offer digital nomad visas that lead to permanent residency or citizenship. For Pakistani citizens who wish to move from their home country with their family members, these visas provide one of the best opportunities to do so.
However, applying for European digital nomad visas from Pakistan requires overcoming bureaucratic obstacles, such as long appointment wait times and slow processes.
If you are a Pakistan citizen currently residing in the country and would like to relocate, then these are the best digital nomad visas in Europe for Pakistan citizens.
What is a Digital Nomad Visa?
Before we list the best digital nomad visas in Europe for Pakistan citizens, we should first understand what a digital nomad visa is.
Digital nomad visas offer temporary residency in a foreign country to remote workers who meet a set minimum income requirement.
These visas are not suitable for job-seekers or students who wish to study abroad. You must prove that you work remotely and earn a stable income to support yourself without taking jobs from local residents.
Challenges of Applying for a European Digital Nomad Visa from Pakistan
Applying for a visa – any type of visa – from Pakistan can be a grueling and frustrating process. When applying for a European digital nomad visa, you can expect to face some challenges and obstacles.
Long Wait Times for Visa Appointments
For many digital nomad visas in Europe, the application process involves nationalities that require an entry visa to visit a consulate for a visa appointment. This appointment is where the applicant will hand over their documents and application and sit for a visa interview.
While the process may seem straightforward, securing an appointment at a consulate or embassy is no easy feat. With limited appointment availability and high demand, some digital nomad visa applicants in Pakistan can wait months for an appointment.
When applying for a digital nomad visa from Pakistan, it is important to understand the necessity to be patient. You are investing your time to get a visa and move abroad.
Slow Visa Processing Times
Some digital nomad visas can take months to process like Italy and Portugal. But they can take even longer to process applications from Pakistan citizens.
This can be extremely frustrating, especially if you already had to wait months just to attend your visa appointment. Fortunately, the digital nomad visas in Europe for Pakistan citizens in this article have relatively quick processing times.
Difficulty Collecting Documents
One of the most commonly requested documents when applying for a digital nomad visa is a criminal background check or a Police Check Certificate. This is issued by your country of residence’s government. In countries such as Pakistan, it can be difficult and lengthy to acquire. You will also
Official documents must also be certified. However, the good news is that Pakistan joined the Hague Convention in 2023, allowing documents to receive an apostille as a certification in foreign countries.
Best Digital Nomad Visas in Europe for Pakistan Citizens
While there are many digital nomad visas available in Europe, there are only a few that are ideal for Pakistan citizens. We have considered the application method and time required, along with the documents neede, when deciding which digital nomad visas in Europe for Pakistan citizens are the best.
Malta
Minimum Income Required: 42,000€ per year (gross)
One of the best digital nomad visas in Europe for Pakistan citizens is Malta’s Nomad Residence Permit. The application process is done entirely online, and you will receive an answer in about 60 days.
Once your Nomad Residence Permit is pre-approved, you will obtain an entry visa and fly to Malta.
Malta’s digital nomad visa allows applicants and their immediate family members to live in the country for up to four years, provided that they still meet the eligibility requirements. One of the major benefits is that the income requirement does not increase if you decide to bring a spouse or eligible dependents.
This digital nomad visa is one of the fastest ways for Pakistan citizens to obtain residency in the European Union, opening plenty of doors later on.
Spain
Minimum Income Required: 2,646€ per month (gross)
Spain’s digital nomad visa allows remote workers to live in the country for three years initially. After five years of living in Spain without leaving the country for more than ten months total during this period, you may apply for permanent residency. After ten years, you may apply for citizenship, but you must renounce your Pakistan citizenship, as Spain does not allow dual citizenship.
Digital nomad visa applicants may include their spouse, children, and dependent parents on their applications. After becoming residents, spouses and children may work in Spain and attend school.
This visa is ideal for self-employed individuals and freelancers rather than employees due to social security tax and coverage.
The application process can be done either in Pakistan or directly in Spain provided you obtain an entry visa or have entered the country legally. The processing time is just 20 days, making it one of the fastest digital nomad visas in Europe for Pakistan citizens.
Greece
Minimum Income Required: 3,500€ per month
Greece’s digital nomad visa is another great opportunity for Pakistan citizens to relocate to Europe. After five consecutive years of living in Greece, you and your family members may apply for permanent residency after passing language and civics exams. After 12 years, with seven of them with permanent resident status, you may apply for Greek citizenship.
Digital nomad visa applicants may include a spouse and dependent children on their applications. When applying for the visa, you must visit a Greek embassy or consulate in your country of residence. After submitting your application, there is a 10-day processing period in which the consulate may keep your passport.
Upon entering Greece with the visa, you will apply for a two-year renewable residence permit. It’s important to note that there is a 1,000€ government fee for the residence permit.
Hungary
Minimum Income Required: 3,000€
Hungary is another digital nomad visa in Europe for Pakistan citizens, and it has a fairly quick processing time. In just 30 days, your application will be reviewed, and you will have an answer.
This digital nomad visa is a bit different than the others mentioned on this list, though. Hungary’s digital nomad visa does not allow family inclusion – only single applicants.
You may also only stay in Hungary for up to two years. After the two years have ended, you must leave the country or find a way to convert the digital nomad visa and residence permit to another category.
The application process requires you to attend an appointment at a Hungarian consulate. Upon approval, you may enter Hungary and then apply for the one-year residence permit.
One important thing to mention is that applicants must have a lease agreement for accommodations in Hungary before applying. We recommend using Flatio to find a long-term rental.
Which Digital Nomad Visa Are You Eligible to Apply for?
Even though we just provided a list of digital nomad visas in Europe for Pakistan citizens, you may still wonder which you are eligible to apply for.
Nomads Embassy offers a free digital nomad visa eligibility assessment to help you figure that out!
And we even offer a Done-for-You Digital Nomad Visa Service for select countries to pair you with our hand-selected local immigration lawyer partners to assist you with your visa applications and relocation.
To get started, request your free eligibility assessment today!
You may also enjoy
The Portugal digital nomad visa is one of the most popular and beneficial digital nomad visas for remote workers who wish to relocate to Europe. One of these attractive benefits…
by Brittany
When applying for Malaysia’s digital nomad visa, also known as the Professional Visit Pass, the most important part of the process is gathering your documents. To help make this process…
by Brittany
Digital nomads who have wanted to explore one of the most beautiful countries in Africa may soon be able to make their dreams come true with the recently announced Kenya…
by Brittany