Brazil
ISO2: BR
Brazilian citizenship by naturalisation through residence: standard ordinary naturalization generally requires 4 years of uninterrupted legal residence and ability to communicate in Portuguese, with statutory reductions (e.g., 1 year for Brazilian child/spouse/partner, and 1 year for Portuguese-speaking nationals in official guidance). Applications are initiated via the official gov.br service and include an in-person Polícia Federal stage for originals/biometrics. Dual/multiple citizenship is generally allowed (as of 2026).
Passport
Citizenship by residence
- Minimum years of residence
- 4.0
- Requires permanent residence
- Yes
- Last updated
- Feb. 28, 2026
- Notes
- Ordinary naturalization (naturalização ordinária) generally requires: (i) legal capacity under Brazilian law; (ii) uninterrupted legal residence in Brazil for at least 4 years immediately prior to application (with limited absences allowed per official guidance); (iii) capacity to communicate in Portuguese (the rule is framed as communication ability, not a CEFR level, and can be proven via accepted documents such as Celpe-Bras or Brazilian education credentials per MJSP guidance); and (iv) no criminal conviction (or proof of rehabilitation). The 4-year period may be reduced, including to 1 year for applicants with a Brazilian child or Brazilian spouse/partner (not separated), and to 1 year for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries with moral integrity, per official guidance. The naturalization request is initiated online via gov.br and then proceeds with an in-person Polícia Federal stage for originals/biometrics. The ordinary naturalization checklist references residence authorization and, in practice, “residência por prazo indeterminado” among the required items.
- Dual citizenship
-
Dual citizenship: Allowed
Renunciation required: NoSpecial cases: Brazil generally allows dual/multiple citizenship; practical outcomes may depend on whether the applicant’s other country restricts dual citizenship. Constitutional rules on loss of Brazilian nationality were tightened by EC 131/2023 (loss is not simply triggered by acquiring another nationality).
- Notes for dual citizenship
- Brazil generally allows dual/multiple citizenship and does not require renunciation as part of the naturalization requirements flow; however, applicants should verify whether their original country imposes restrictions or automatic loss upon naturalization abroad.
Qualifying residence permits
Autorização de residência (Residence authorization) – prazo determinado (temporary/definite term)
Counts as legal residence for residence-time purposes while valid, but applicants commonly must regularize/hold the qualifying residence authorization status at the time of filing per MJSP guidance; the ordinary naturalization checklist references indefinite residence in practice.
Counts
Autorização de residência (Residence authorization) – prazo indeterminado / residência por prazo indeterminado (indefinite)
MJSP guidance for ordinary naturalization targets applicants with residence authorization; the ordinary naturalization requirements/checklist includes “residência por prazo indeterminado” among the referenced items.
Counts
Visitante / turista (Visitor/tourist status)
Visitor status is not a residence authorization and is not treated as qualifying legal residence for the naturalization residence clock.
Doesn’t count
Required documents
| Document | Mandatory | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Brazil naturalization request (Solicitar Naturalização Brasileira / Pedido de naturalização)
Official naturalization request initiated via gov.br service; the flow includes online initiation and a Polícia Federal in-person stage for originals/biometrics.
|
Mandatory | Initiate the request via the official gov.br “Solicitar Naturalização Brasileira” service; after review, attend Polícia Federal for originals and biometrics as instructed in the service flow. |
|
Carteira de Registro Nacional Migratório (CRNM) / Registro Nacional Migratório (RNM) document
Migrant identity/residence registration document referenced in the ordinary naturalization procedure.
|
Mandatory | Referenced as part of the ordinary naturalization procedure requirements. |
|
Criminal record / background checks (no conviction) or rehabilitation proof
Evidence of no criminal conviction or proof of rehabilitation; MJSP consults official databases as part of the procedure.
|
Mandatory | Must have no criminal conviction or present rehabilitation proof; MJSP consults official databases. |
|
International travel document (passport) (documento de viagem internacional)
Passport (even expired) may be accepted subject to applicable rules (including Mercosur references) per MJSP ordinary naturalization checklist.
|
Mandatory | Listed as required in the ordinary naturalization checklist (passport may be accepted even if expired, subject to applicable rules). |
|
Portuguese language ability proof (capacidade de se comunicar em língua portuguesa) – accepted documents
Proof that the applicant can communicate in Portuguese; accepted documents include Celpe-Bras certificate and certain Brazilian education credentials per MJSP guidance and Portaria rules.
|
Mandatory | Mandatory: proof of ability to communicate in Portuguese. The rule is framed as communication ability (not a CEFR level); accepted proofs include Celpe-Bras and certain Brazilian education credentials, per MJSP guidance. |
|
Proof of residence in Brazil for the required years (comprovantes de residência)
Documents proving residence in Brazil for the required period (e.g., year-by-year proofs as required).
|
Mandatory | Listed as required for the years demanded by the applicable naturalization modality. |
|
Birth certificate (civil status) + apostille/legalisation + translation if applicable
Civil status document often needed depending on case; legalization/translation depends on issuing country and the authority’s requirements.
|
Optional | Commonly required depending on case and to support identity/civil status; legalization/translation depends on the issuing country and authority requirements. |
|
Marriage/partnership or Brazilian child proof (for residence-time reduction, if applicable)
Evidence to support a reduced residence period (e.g., Brazilian spouse/partner not separated, or Brazilian child), when used.
|
Optional | Required if claiming a reduced residence period (e.g., Brazilian spouse/partner or Brazilian child) based on applicable law/official guidance. |
Submission offices
Gov.br – Solicitar Naturalização Brasileira (online initiation)
Online
Official service used to initiate naturalization requests; the flow indicates subsequent steps and requirements.
Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública (MJSP) – Naturalização (policy & guidance pages)
NATIONAL
· Brasília
Official FAQ and guidance for naturalization modalities and requirements.
Polícia Federal (PF) – In-person stage for originals & biometrics (per gov.br scheduling)
NATIONAL
Per the official service flow: after documentation approval/review, the applicant attends Polícia Federal as scheduled to present original documents and provide biometrics.
Official sources
Gov.br – Solicitar Naturalização Brasileira (serviço oficial)
Government
Official service entry point for naturalization requests; describes the online initiation and the Polícia Federal in-person stage for originals/biometrics.
pt
Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública (MJSP) – Naturalização ordinária (requisitos/documentos)
Government
Official page listing ordinary naturalization requirements and typical required items (passport, proofs of residence, Portuguese communication proof, etc.).
pt
Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública (MJSP) – Perguntas frequentes (Naturalização)
Government
Official FAQ: defines ordinary naturalization (4 years + Portuguese communication + no conviction) and other modalities (15-year extraordinary, etc.).
pt
Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública (MJSP) – Prova de comunicação em língua portuguesa (documentos aceitos)
Government
Official list of accepted documents for Portuguese communication ability (e.g., Celpe-Bras, Brazilian higher education credentials) under the applicable Portaria.
pt
Ministério das Relações Exteriores (MRE) – Brazilian citizenship through naturalization (consular guidance)
Government
Official consular guidance summarizing naturalization modalities (ordinary 4-year residence with reductions, extraordinary 15-year, etc.).
en
Planalto – Emenda Constitucional nº 131/2023 (altera art. 12; perda de nacionalidade)
Law / Regulation
Constitutional amendment removing loss of Brazilian nationality merely due to acquiring another nationality; relevant for dual/multiple nationality context.
pt
Planalto – Lei nº 13.445/2017 (Lei de Migração) – condições de naturalização
Law / Regulation
Primary legal text for naturalization conditions (ordinary naturalization baseline 4-year residence and reduction hypotheses).
pt
Latest ranking snapshot
As of Feb. 28, 2026
- Travel freedom168.00
- Residency rights9.00
- Quality of life117.80
- Economic freedom55.10
- Tax friendliness30.00
Composite ranking based on: Henley Passport Index (visa-free score), Heritage Economic Freedom Index, residency rights score (number of countries with residence rights), Numbeo Quality of Life Index, taxation score, and net disposable salary (USD).