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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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:
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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.
ReadYou generalcan guidancealso onget movinghelp orfrom retiringEnglish-speaking abroadprofessionals.
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BeforeHelp youfrom go
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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:
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yourentrylocalrequirements - laws
authority.andYouculturalshoulddifferences - safety
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theBraziltraveladvice.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.
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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:
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visaresearchasoratraining - retire
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touristwithforfamilyupintoBrazil - volunteer
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90ordays.doYoubusinesscaninapplyBrazil - get
formedicalantreatment
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:
Makeathecopyrequestofwithin90daysfromyourfirstbirthentryinthecountry,priortotheexpirationofthecurrentauthorizedstay.certificateProvideproof of adetailedUKbirthcriminalcertificate,recordwhichmusthavebothparents’fullnames.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.
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:
DisclosureyourandlocalBarringdepartmentServiceAssociationofChiefthePoliceBrazilianOfficersFederalCriminalPoliceRecords(inOffice(ACRO)Portuguese)MetropolitananPoliceDisclosureEnglish-speakingScotlandNorthernlawyerIrelandinDirectBrazil
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).
ForeignerCitizenship
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:
- guidance
befoundontherequestingwebsiteoftheBrazilianFederalcitizenshipPolice(in Portuguese)). - information
ThisondocumentgettinghasBrazilianthecitizenshipsamethroughvaliditynaturalisation,asfrom thenationalMinistryidentityofcardForeign(RG)Affairs
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:
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UK,ConsulateyouGeneralcanofapplyBrazilthroughtheBrazilianConsulatein London, - the
otherwiseBrazilianyouFederalmustPolicecontact(inReceitaFederalPortuguese) - an
(BrazilianEnglish-speakingCustomslawyerandinRevenue).Brazil
Passports and travel
YouRead canour applyguidance foron ormoving, renewliving youror Britishretiring passport from Brazilabroad.
Your passportThis shouldcovers behow validto:
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ataleastBritishsixpassportmonthsfromtheabroad - travel
dateurgentlyofwithoutentryyourintoBritishBrazil.passport
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Healthcare ofin anyBrazil
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Brazil indoes Braziliannot publichave hospitals. Publica hospitalsreciprocal inhealth Brazil,agreement especiallywith inthe majorUK.
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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 you‘SUS’) live(in overseas.Portuguese).
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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 passportDetailedbirth certificate,whichwithmusthaveboth parents’ fullnames.namesUK police certificate)
StudyingRecognition 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:
Study,driveinternshipabroad(VIVIS)legallyStudytake(VITEMyourIV)UK vehicle abroad- get driving licence letters
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:
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Disabled drivers
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Tax
Read our guidance on:
taxonifmoving,youlivingleaveortheretiringUKabroad.toThislivecoversabroadtaxtax,onincludingyourpaying UKincometaxifandyouNationalliveInsurance.The
abroadtaxUKifhasyousignedgetapensiondoubleandtaxationliveagreementabroadwith Brazilpaying.NationalWhenInsurancethiswhileagreementabroadcomestointoprotectforce,youritStatewillPensionmeanandthatentitlementyoutomayothernotbenefitspayandtaxallowances
Benefits
CheckContact whichthe UKBrazilian benefitsFederal youRevenue can(‘Receita claimFederal’) while(in abroadPortuguese) andfor howany toquestions claimabout them.tax in Brazil.
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Forwith informationthe onIndividual whetherTaxpayer youRegistry can(‘Cadastro continuede toPessoa Fisica’ or apply‘CPF’) forif benefitsyou whilstwant livingto abroadown pleaseassets visitsubject theto followingtax links:in Brazil. This includes property and vehicles.
claimingIf
benefitsyouifare in the UK, youlive,canmoveregisterorthroughtraveltheabroadmovingConsulateorGeneralretiringofabroad
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:
- how
Pensiontoorclaimnewyour UK State Pension. Contact - where the
InternationalUKPensiongovernmentCentrepaysforanfurtherannualinformation.
PensionLifeincreasecertificatesinfortheUKStatePensions
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 bankingbenefits
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:
Theyou’reCadastroconsideringdebuyingPessoapropertyFisicaor(CPF)land.Voting
-intheBrazilUK
nationalelectionsRead
individualourtaxpayerguidanceregistrationPassportUtilityonbill/moving,leaselivingagreementor(forretiringpurposeabroad.ofThisverifyingcoversyourhowphysicaladdress)to:
ForeignervoteidentityincardUK(CarteiraelectionsdefromRegistroabroad- register
NacionalasMigratórioan–overseasCRNM)voter
AccommodationBrazilian and buying property
elections
SeeYou buyingcannot avote propertyin abroad.Brazilian elections unless you hold Brazilian citizenship.
DrivingStudying in Brazil
ReadIf theyou guidanceplan onto whatstudy actionsin Brazil, you must takemeet toall drivevisa legallyrequirements inbefore Brazil
Drivingyou abroadtravel.
RoadRead travelthe inBrazilian Brazilgovernment’s guidance on:
IfFor you’remore askedinformation:
- read
forguidanceaonlettertravelauthenticating,grantscertifyingfor students studying abroad orvalidatingonyourplacementsUK(England)driver’sandlicence,higheryoueducationshouldin Brazil - contact your
UKhigherissuingeducationofficeprovider(egin theDVLA)UK or Brazil - contact the Brazilian Ministry of Education (in Portuguese)
Children
HoldersRead ofour UKguidance drivingon licencesmoving, areliving allowedor toretiring driveabroad. inThis Brazilcovers formoving 180abroad days,with startingchildren, fromincluding:
- getting
thepermissiondaytotheytakeenteryourthechildcountry,abroad - claiming
asUKlongChildasBenefittheyabroad - child
havemaintenancetheirpaymentsoriginalifpassportaandparentoriginallivesvalidabroad
Schools drivingand licenceeducation
The withBrazilian them.Ministry Afterof thisEducation period,provides pleaseinformation contactabout the nearestschool DETRANsystem officein toBrazil.
All applychildren foraged the6 recognitionto of14 yourmust drivingattend licence.
Drivingschool rulesor andhome informationschool in BrazilBrazil. (InYou Portuguese)can
Documentsuse youthe needBrazilian toschools drivecatalogue into Brazil
Internationalfind Drivinga licencelocal school in Brazil
Brazil Driving(in rulesPortuguese).
IfFor youmore wishinformation, toread takethe yourBrazilian vehicleMinistry withof you,Education’s see takingguidance aon vehiclebasic outeducation ofin theBrazil UK(in Portuguese).
Disabled driversChildcare
IfThe youBrazilian haveMinistry aof UKEducation Blue Badge and livethe inmunicipal Brazil,governments youare mustresponsible returnfor itearly tochildhood theeducation originaland UKcare issuingin authority.Brazil.
Voting
You may be able to voteget in some UKfunding elections.support Youfor can:childcare. Check with your local municipal education secretariat (Secretaria Municipal de Educação).
checkRead
iftheyouBrazilianaregovernment’sableguidancetoonvoteregisterearlyaschildhoodaneducationoverseasinvoterBrazil (in Portuguese)
Births, deaths, marriagemarriages and civil partnershippartnerships
Births
If your child is born in BrazilBrazil, you should register the birth with the localBrazilian authorities.authorities. You canshould thendo registerthis withat theyour UKlocal authoritiesCivil andRegistry applyOffice for(‘Cartório ade UKRegistro Civil’) within 15 days of your child’s birth.
Brazilian birth registrationcertificates certificate.are recognised in the UK as long as they are:
- legalised with an apostille
- accompanied by a certified English translation
IfRead yourour childguidance hason Britishmoving, nationality, youliving door notretiring needabroad. toThis covers how to:
- register the birth with the
UK authoritiesUK authorities to get a UK birth certificate - apply for
ayour child’s first British passport.
Deaths
IfRead someoneour diesguidance inon Brazilmoving, readliving ouror guidanceretiring on:abroad. This covers:
What
ifafter someone dies abroad
BereavementIf someone dies in Brazil, read guidance foron:
MarriageMarriages and civil partnershippartnerships
CivilRead partnershipour andguidance sameon sexmoving, marriageliving isor recognizedretiring inabroad. BrazilThis bycovers law.
Find out how youto can get married or getform a civil partnership abroad.abroad.
Brazilian marriage certificates include instructions on how assets would be divided in the event of divorce, separation or death. If localthe Brazilian authorities ask for a British version of this, download ourthis information note on matrimonial property.
You can also download an information note on the validity of a marriage in the UK.
Divorce and separation
ForRead moreour informationguidance on themoving, documentationliving youor mayretiring needabroad. ifThis youcovers arehow gettingto marriedget ina Brazil,divorce seeor ourend guidea tocivil Documentspartnership.
Consider fortaking Britishlegal peopleadvice abroadfrom an English-speaking lawyer in Brazil.
EmergenciesDocuments for British people in Brazil
ForRead emergenciesour inguidance Brazilon dialdocuments thefor followingBritish numberspeople abroad. This covers:
190legalisingforandpolicecertifying UK documents192marriageforandambulancecivil partnership documents193affirmationsforandfireaffidavits- witnessing
Servicessignatures
Dial
Lawyers, thetranslators 190and to report a missing child or go to the nearest police station.notaries
IfTo youfind havean beenEnglish-speaking thelawyer, victimtranslator of a rape or sexualnotary assault in Brazil, read the guidance Brazil:on informationprofessional forservices victimsif ofyou’re rape and sexual assaultabroad.
Pets
If Seeyou alsowant Victimto ofbring rapeyour andpet sexualwith assaultyou abroad.
Findto aBrazil, lawyerread inguidance Brazilon :
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Updates to this page
Last updated
-
24 January 2025 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.
-
20 July 2023 Minor change in "Birth, deaths, marriage and civil partnership" section to add clarification on UK birth registration certificate.
-
30 December 2022 The full page was updated.
-
23 March 2021 Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines
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1 September 2020 Updated consular guidance and FCDO changes
-
5 April 2018 Updated April 2018
-
8 January 2014 First published.
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.