Change of https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-brazil

Change description : 2026-01-22 16:28:00: Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK (‘Passports and travel’ section). [Foreign, Commonwealth & Development OfficeGuidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2025-01-24 15:34:46.506747573 +00:00..2026-01-22 16:28:36.262550207 +00:00

Guidance

Living in Brazil

AdviceInformation forabout Britishmoving peopleto, living inor Brazil,retiring includingin informationBrazil on health,including education,visas, benefits,working, residencehealthcare requirements and more.driving.

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Getting guidehelp setswith outliving essentialin informationBrazil

Help forfrom Britishthe citizensBrazilian government

For any questions about moving to or living in Brazil.Brazil, Readyou aboutmay howbe theable Britishto Embassyget inhelp Brasiliafrom orthe:

ThisThe informationUK isgovernment, providedthe asBritish aEmbassy guidein only.Brasilia Youand shouldthe getBritish definitiveConsulates informationin fromSao thePaulo Brazilianand authorities.Rio Thede Foreign,Janeiro Commonwealthcannot &give Developmentpersonalised Officeadvice (FCDO)on ismoving notto, liableliving foror anyretiring inaccuracies in this information.Brazil.

Support

Professional for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help ifin you do get into difficulty.

Brazil

ReadYou generalcan guidancealso onget movinghelp orfrom retiringEnglish-speaking abroadprofessionals.

To stayin upBrazil, to date:including:

We Britishalso Embassypublish ina Brasilialist onof Facebooktranslators and Twitterinterpreters in Brazil.

Before

Help youfrom go

the UK government

SeeRead ourthe travel advice for Brazil forto up-to-dateunderstand informationthe onrisks entryyou requirements,may localface lawsif andyou customs,live safetyin andor emergencies.

Coronavirus

Followvisit theBrazil. adviceThis ofincludes the Brazilianlatest governmentinformation on:

  • visas and yourentry localrequirements
  • laws authority.and Youcultural shoulddifferences
  • safety alsoand readsecurity
  • regional the Brazil travel advice.

    risks

YouRead should also read our Entry requirements page, for detailed guidance on themoving, currentliving rulesor toretiring enter Brazil.abroad.

Visas

CheckGet the entryhelp requirementsfrom forthe BrazilUK government abroad, including in ouran travel advice.emergency.

If

Visas, youresidency areand travellingcitizenship

Make tosure Brazil for any purpose other than tourism, you mustmeet contact the Brazilianentry Consulaterequirements infor LondonBrazil priorbefore toyou yourtravel.

Visas traveland toresidence checkpermits

Check whatwhich type of visa isor requiredresidence uponpermit arrival(in inPortuguese) theyou country.need to live in Brazil.

BritishYou nationalscan areget alloweda tovisa visitor Brazilresidence withoutpermit ato:

  • work
  • study
  • complete visaresearch asor atraining
  • retire
  • live touristwith forfamily upin toBrazil
  • volunteer
  • invest 90or days.do Youbusiness canin applyBrazil
  • get formedical antreatment

For extensionmore oninformation, yourincluding visafees forand uphow to 90apply, daysread more.the ExtensionConsulate applicationsGeneral areof handledBrazil byin theLondon’s Brazilianvisa Federal Policeinformation.

If you overstay,want you are likely to beextend givenyour noticevisa, tocontact leave the countryConsulate atGeneral yourof ownBrazil expensein andLondon.

Documents youfor may be fined or deported.

residency

To requestapply for a visaresidence extensionpermit, you willmay haveneed to:to provide:

  • Makea thecopy requestof within 90 days from your firstbirth entry in the country, prior to the expiration of the current authorized stay.certificate
  • Provideproof of a detailedUK birthcriminal certificate,record which must have both parents’ full names.check

InYou orderwill forneed your British birth certificate to beget acceptedthese indocuments Brazil,officially ittranslated mustand belegalised. apostilledFor bymore theinformation Legalisationon Officetranslation in the United Kingdom, along with its official translation. The British Embassy and Consulateslegalisation, inread Brazilabout cannotdocuments authenticatefor British birthpeople certificates.abroad.

Documents for residency

ConsultIf theyou’re Brazilianalready governmentliving websiteor forhave guidancepreviously onlived applying for residency in Brazil and all the documents that you will need.

If you apply for residency in Brazil, you may bealso askedneed by Brazilian authorities to getprovide certaina documentsBrazilian fromCriminal theRecord BritishCertificate. EmbassyYou orcan oneapply offor itsthe consulatescertificate tofrom provethe somethingBrazilian aboutFederal yourself.Police These(in are sometimes called consular certificates or ‘cédulas de inscrição consular’.Portuguese).

The British Embassyembassy and consulates in Brazil dono notlonger issue consular certificates (they(‘cédulas stoppedde issuinginscrição themconsular’). inIf February 2014). You should contact the relevantBrazilian UK-basedauthorities agenciesask andyou government departments instead.

Proof that consular certificates are not issued

If you’re asked for proofthis thatcertificate, theshow embassythem orthis consulateinformation does not issue consular certificates, download our note on consular certificates.

BritishRegistering birthas certificates

If you have a Britishforeigner birthand certificategetting you will need to include a copyforeigner’s ofidentity itcard in your application for residency.

(RNM)

ForOnce adviceyou onarrive gettingin aBrazil, copyyou’ll ofneed ato birthregister certificate,as seea Documentsforeigner forwith British people abroad.

You may need to get the certificateFederal legalisedPolice by(in the Legalisation OfficePortuguese).

Criminal record checks

An application for residency usually includes proof of a criminal record check.

If you have aany criminalproblems recordor inquestions theabout UK,registering, contact the following UK based agencies for advice on how to apply for the record/s:contact:

Permanent residency

You may needbe to getable theto documentapply legalisedfor bypermanent theresidency Legalisationin OfficeBrazil andif translatedyou bymeet an official/sworn translator before submitting it to the Brazilian authorities.requirements.

ATo Criminalfind Recordout Certificateif confirmsyou’re theeligible existenceand orhow absenceto ofapply, aread criminalguidance recordfrom inthe Brazil.Brazilian YouFederal mayPolice needon thisregistering ifas youa haveresident lived in Brazil.Brazil To(in apply for one, go to the Brazilian Federal PolicePortuguese).

Foreigner

Citizenship

Brazil Identityrecognises Carddual andcitizenship. TaxThis Payermeans Registrythat (CPF)

RNMyou do Registronot Nacionalhave Migratórioto (Foreignergive identityup card)

This(renounce) isyour theBritish foreignercitizenship identityto card,become formerlya knownBrazilian ascitizen.

To Registrofind Nacionalout deif Estrangeirosyou’re (RNE).eligible Information about applying for aBrazilian RNMcitizenship, canread:

Help issuedwith forvisa, Brazilianresidency nationals.

CPFand citizenship applications

The CadastroBritish deEmbassy Pessoain FisicaBrasilia (CPF)and is the nationalBritish individualConsulates taxpayerin registration,São issuedPaulo for residents and non-residentsRio whode wishJaneiro tocannot havehelp assetswith entitledBrazilian tovisa, taxesresidency inor Brazil.citizenship Ifapplications.

For youany arequestions inor issues, contact:

Passports and travel

YouRead canour applyguidance foron ormoving, renewliving youror Britishretiring passport from Brazilabroad.

Your passportThis shouldcovers behow validto:

  • apply for ata leastBritish sixpassport months from theabroad
  • travel dateurgently ofwithout entryyour intoBritish Brazil.passport

Dual Checkcitizens thetravelling Brazilto travelthe adviceUK

When fortravelling furtherto informationthe onUK, passportBritish validitycitizens requirements.

Healthcaremust incarry Brazil

Therea isvalid noBritish reciprocalpassport Nationalor Healthcertificate Serviceof agreemententitlement. inRead Brazilguidance andon medicaldual costscitizenship.

Children musttravelling bewithout meta byparent theor individual.

legal guardian

WeRead stronglythe recommendentry yourequirements havefor adequateBrazil travel/healthfor insuranceinformation thaton providesauthorisation coveragefor overseaschildren andtravelling accessiblewithout fundsa toparent coveror thelegal costguardian.

Healthcare ofin anyBrazil

Read medicalour treatmentguidance abroad.on Thismoving, shouldliving includeor coverageretiring forabroad. repatriation.

ForeignThis nationalscovers arehow entitledto:

  • plan toyour emergencyhealthcare
  • take medicalmedicine treatmentabroad

Brazil indoes Braziliannot publichave hospitals. Publica hospitalsreciprocal inhealth Brazil,agreement especiallywith inthe majorUK.

Make cities,sure canyou behave overcrowdedappropriate andhealth there’sinsurance oftento acover longany waithealthcare forcosts. aYou bedcan andget ainsurance lackfrom ofBrazilian medication.or Privateinternational hospitalsproviders. willIf notyou acceptwork youin unlessBrazil, you canmay presentget evidenceprivate ofhealth sufficientinsurance fundsthrough oryour insurance.employer.

If youyou’re needlegally emergencyresident medicalin assistance,Brazil, dialyou 192can andalso askapply for an ambulance.SUS Youhealth shouldcard. contactThis yourallows insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to aaccess medicalfree facilitypublic forhealth treatment.

NOTE: UKcare Travelthrough insurancethe providersBrazilian willUnified notHealth generallySystem cover(‘Sistema yourÚnico healthcarede costsSaude’ ifor youSUS’) live(in overseas.Portuguese).

Medicine

IfContact youyour aredoctor onor alocal prescriptionhealth centre for anyinformation medicationon youhow shouldto ensureapply youfor haveyour aSUS supplycard.

To offind it,out orhow are able to obtainget itmedical whentreatment:

Working toin find out about any alternative medication.

Brazil

Read theour NHS guidance ifon youmoving, needliving toor travelretiring withabroad. medicinesThis -covers Canworking Iabroad, takeincluding mydocuments medicine abroad.

Working in Brazil

If you aremay planningneed tofrom movethe toUK Brazilgovernment.

To and work in Brazil, you need a work visa.

The ForBrazilian furtherMinistry information please visit the website of theForeign BrazilianAffairs Consulateexplains in London and read guidance on how to getapply for a temporary work visa (‘VITEM V’).

To apply for a jobjob, you may need to provide a:

  • Validvalid passport
  • Detailed birth certificate, whichwith must have both parents’ full names.names
  • UK police certificate)

Studying

Recognition inof Brazil

qualifications

If you planwant to studywork in Brazil, you mustmay meetneed allto visaget requirementsyour beforeforeign youqualifications travel.recognised. Read the Brazilian Consulategovernment’s in London guidance on studyvalidation visasand recognition of foreign degrees (in Portuguese).

Driving in Brazil

Read our guidance on Brazilianmoving, visasliving for:or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

ContactYou thecan relevantdrive higher education provider in Brazil tofor checkup whatto fees180 youdays mayusing haveyour toUK pay.

Tax

Inphotocard latedriving 2022,licence. theTo UKcontinue signeddriving aafter doublethis taxationtime, agreementyou withmust Brazil.apply Thisto meansexchange thatyour indriving futurelicence youfor maya notBrazilian havelicence.

Contact toyour paylocal taxoffice twiceof onDETRAN the(Brazilian sameState incomeTraffic inDepartment) bothto countries.find However,out ithow hasto notmake yetthe enteredexchange.

DETRAN intoprovides force.information Thison willdriving happenin uponBrazil, completionincluding:

For intomore forceinformation, ofread thisguidance agreement.on Weroad willtravel updatein thisBrazil, guidein whensafety theand doublesecurity taxationin agreementthe comestravel intoadvice force.for Brazil.

Disabled drivers

InformationYou aboutmay taxationbe inable Brazilto canapply befor obtaineda fromBrazilian thedigital Receitadisabled Federalparking dopermit Brasil(in (Brazilian Federal Revenue).Portuguese).

YouIf shouldyou gethave professionala adviceUK onBlue payingBadge taxand live in Brazil.Brazil, Findyou anmust English-speakingreturn lawyerit into Brazilthe original UK issuing authority. 

Tax

Read our guidance on:

on the same income in both countries.

Benefits

CheckContact whichthe UKBrazilian benefitsFederal youRevenue can(‘Receita claimFederal’) while(in abroadPortuguese) andfor howany toquestions claimabout them.tax in Brazil.

ManyConsider income-relatedgetting benefitsprofessional suchadvice ason Pensionpaying Credittax andin HousingBrazil. BenefitTo cannotdo bethis, paidfind ifan youEnglish-speaking arelawyer abroadin forBrazil.

Taxpayer moreregistration

You thanmust 4register weeks.

Forwith informationthe onIndividual whetherTaxpayer youRegistry can(‘Cadastro continuede toPessoa Fisica’ or applyCPF’) forif benefitsyou whilstwant livingto abroadown pleaseassets visitsubject theto followingtax links:in Brazil. This includes property and vehicles.

Pensions

Brazil in London. Read Statethe PensionConsulate’s guidance ifon youCPF havefor livedforeigners in(in Australia,Portuguese).

If Canadayou’re orin NewBrazil, Zealandcontact andthe youBrazilian areFederal claimingRevenue or(‘Receita waitingFederal’) (in Portuguese) to claimregister.

Pensions

Claiming your UK State Pension.

pension

IfRead youour retireguidance inon Brazil,moving, youliving canor claimretiring yourabroad. UKThis Statecovers:

Claiming a Brazilian pension

IfYou youmay getbe able to claim a lifeBrazilian certificate’pension fromif theyou UKwork Pensionand Service,pay yousocial mustsecurity respondcontributions asin soonBrazil.

Contact asthe possible.Brazilian YourNational paymentsInstitute mayof beSocial suspendedSecurity if(INSS) you(in doPortuguese) not.to find out whether you’re eligible.

MoneyBenefits

Claiming andUK banking

benefits

TheRead officialour currencyguidance ofon Brazilmoving, isliving theor Realretiring (BRLabroad. /R$).This Itcovers ishow easy to convertclaim mostUK majorbenefits currenciesabroad, atincluding specialistChild moneyBenefit.

Claiming exchangeBrazilian bureausbenefits

Contact andthe someBrazilian banksNational andInstitute hotels.of PassportSocial identificationSecurity usually(INSS) will(in bePortuguese) required to makefind theout exchange.whether ATMsyou arecan widelyclaim availablebenefits andin mostBrazil.

Buying willand acceptrenting foreign-issuedproperty bankin cards.Brazil

Read Creditour cardguidance transactionson aremoving, acceptedliving acrossor Brazil’sretiring establishmentsabroad. andThis mobilecovers moneybuying transactionand arerenting common.property abroad.

RequirementsContact foran openingEnglish-speaking alawyer bank account in Brazil mayif include:

Updates to this page

Published 8 January 2014

Last updated 2422 January 20252026 + show href="#full-history">+ show all updates
    1. Information added to the 'Documents for residency' section. The advice is on what to do if you are asked to get documents from the British Embassy or consulates when applying for residency in Brazil.

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Update history

2026-01-22 16:28
Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand. Includes new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK (‘Passports and travel’ section).

2025-01-24 15:34
Information added to the ‘Documents for residency’ section. The advice is on what to do if you are asked to get documents from the British Embassy or consulates when applying for residency in Brazil.

2023-07-20 13:31
Minor change in “Birth, deaths, marriage and civil partnership” section to add clarification on UK birth registration certificate.

2022-12-30 15:27
The full page was updated.