Portugal Digital Nomad Visa for a man from Egypt to secure European residency in a month

Youssef is a captain of luxury yachts from Egypt. He spent most of his life in his home country, but for the past year, he had been working for a local tourist company in Italy on a work permit.

The problem. In December 2024, around 60 days before his work residence permit was set to expire, Youssef needed to apply for its renewal. Due to personal issues, he completely forgot to do this in advance. When he finally realised his mistake, only about a month remained to renew his permit.

In Italy, the residence permit renewal process can take up to 3 months, meaning Youssef was running out of time. However, he didn’t want to leave Europe, so he started searching for solutions.

The solution. Having already heard about Digital Nomad Visas available to employees of foreign companies, Youssef decided to look into them further. He learned that he couldn’t apply for an Italian one because he worked for an Italian company, so he had to consider another country.

With time running out, Youssef chose to consult an immigration expert rather than search for information on his own. A colleague recommended Immigrant Invest, a company that helps foreigners obtain residency and citizenship by investment. After visiting the website, Youssef discovered that Immigrant Invest also assists with Digital Nomad Visas. He quickly booked a meeting.

Lawyers informed Youssef about Digital Nomad Visas offered in Spain, Malta, Hungary, and Portugal and sent him several guides to learn more.

Hungary was ruled out quickly. This country is in Central Europe, close to Austria and Switzerland, and has no access to the sea. Youssef, who could not imagine life without the sea, did not want to move far from it.

Malta did not appeal to Youssef either. He found it too small. Living in Genoa, Italy’s third-largest city, he was used to a bustling urban environment and feared he would get bored in Malta.

Spain. Youssef liked the idea of obtaining a Spain Digital Nomad Visa. The country is close to Italy and is known for its rich culture and lively atmosphere. However, the application required more documents than the Portuguese one, including proof of qualifications and a certificate from the Government Companies House. This could slow the process.

Portugal and its Digital Nomad Visa appealed to Youssef the most for several reasons:

• the country borders the Atlantic Ocean, allowing him to enjoy sea views, landscapes, and water activities;

• Portugal has two relatively big cities with bustling life;

• the application process is simple and requires fewer documents than in Spain.

There are two types of visas for digital nomads in Portugal:

1. a temporary stay, or a short-stay visa,

2. a residence visa, or a long-stay visa.

The residence visa allows one to obtain a residence permit for up to 2 years, renew it, and become a permanent resident or citizen after 5 years. Holders must apply for a residence permit within four months of receiving the visa.

The temporary stay visa allows its holder to reside in Portugal for up to a year but does not grant a residence permit or lead to permanent residence or citizenship.

Youssef chose the temporary stay visa. It required less effort, and he did not plan to stay in Portugal for long. After making his final choice, Youssef proceeded with his application.

Eligibility criteria. To apply for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, a person must be over 18, come from a non-EU and non-EEA country, and have a clean criminal record. Family members—spouses or partners, children under 30, and parents—can be included in the application.

Monthly income. The main requirement for the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa is to confirm a monthly income of at least €3,480. Money can come from freelance work, employment, or business activities conducted remotely. Passive income does not qualify.

Savings. The applicant must confirm they can support themselves while living in Portugal. To do so, they must show a bank account with a balance equal to at least 12 minimum wages under Portuguese legislation. In 2025, the minimum wage is €870, meaning digital nomads must have at least €10,440 in their bank account.

Housing. Applicants for the Digital Nomad Visa must rent or buy real estate in Portugal. There are no specific requirements for the cost or size of the property.

Youssef decided to rent real estate, as he did not want to commit to Portugal by purchasing a property. Immigrant Invest experts provided him with several suitable options.

The two largest Portuguese cities, Lisbon and Porto, appealed to Youssef the most. Eventually, one of the apartments in Chiado, a historic and upscale district in Lisbon, caught his eye. The property features one bedroom, one bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, and a spacious living area. The monthly rent is €1,400.

Immigrant Invest verified that the chosen property and its owner were clear, and the lawyer signed a lease agreement on Youssef’s behalf.

Youssef obtained the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa in February 2025. It is valid for up to a year and allows him to enter and leave Portugal freely, making regular visits to Italy possible. However, he cannot live in Italy and is required to spend most of his time in Portugal.

Youssef’s Italian residence permit has already expired. He is currently in the process of collecting documents to apply for a work permit in Italy again.

Although it was an inconvenience at first, Youssef managed to adapt to his situation and began enjoying life in Portugal. He explores Lisbon and the surrounding areas, visits restaurants and museums, rents a yacht while his own stays in Italy, and makes the most of his time in the country.