Brazil dual citizenship has become an increasingly attractive option for people seeking a second passport that offers better travel mobility, expanded rights, and deeper ties to one of Latin America’s most influential countries. The options for becoming a dual Brazilian citizen make it achievable, especially after the 2023 change to the country’s nationality law. You can obtain citizenship through naturalization, the most common route for foreign nationals, or through descent if you are the child of a Brazilian parent living abroad, or if you are married to a Brazilian citizen.
One misconception that our legal experts at Global Citizen Solutions have noticed is assuming that dual citizenship in Brazil is automatic or that the 2023 law removed the need to establish Brazilian nationality, and neither is true. You still have to establish nationality through birth, descent, or naturalization; the only change is what can cause you to lose your citizenship.
This guide explains how to qualify for Brazilian dual citizenship, the law changes, tax obligations, and some benefits of a Brazilian passport.
Brazil Dual Citizenship Key Takeaways
Does Brazil allow dual citizenship?
Yes, according to the Constitutional Amendment 131 of 2023 Brazil allows dual citizenship, meaning you can be a Brazilian national and have another passport at the same time. There is no special dual citizenship application process, you just have to become a Brazilian citizen through descent, naturalization or marriage, while still holding your initial passport. But dual citizenship was not always possible in Brazil.
What Constitutional Amendment 131 Changed
In October 2023, Constitutional Amendment 131 (EC 131/2023) changed Article 12 of Brazil’s Federal Constitution and the rules on when a person can lose Brazilian nationality.
Dual citizenship was possible, and the 2023 law change meant you did not have to lose your Brazilian citizenship if you willingly acquired another passport.
Before 2023, voluntarily acquiring another nationality could automatically result in the loss of Brazilian nationality. Constitutional Amendment 131 (EC 131/2023) removed the automatic penalty of losing your nationality after acquiring a second passport.
Since then, the only way your citizenship can be revoked is for reasons such as being found guilty of fraud during the naturalization process. OR
A person voluntarily asks the Brazilian government to give up their nationality and passport. Even in these instances, the person will still be allowed to get their original Brazilian citizenship again should they change their mind.
Who qualifies for Brazil dual citizenship: Citizenship Routes
Citizenship by birth in Brazil
Under Article 12 of Brazil’s Constitution, anyone born in Brazil is recognized as a Brazilian national by birth. The only exception is for children born in Brazil whose parents are foreign nationals and, at the time of the child’s birth, are officially working for their own foreign government. In this case, the child would not automatically get Brazilian citizenship.
Children born abroad to a Brazilian parent.
Under Article 12, I, c of the Brazilian Constitution, a child born abroad to a Brazilian parent can qualify for Brazilian nationality in one of two ways.
- The simplest way is for the parent to register the child’s birth with the Brazilian Consulate or Embassy. This makes the child Brazilian.
- The other option is for the child to come to live in Brazil and, after turning 18, formally choose Brazilian nationality through the Federal Court.
Citizenship by naturalization
The naturalization route is known as the most common one for those who have legally lived in Brazil and meet all the required residency requirements as cited in the Migration Law (Lei 13.445/2017), Article 64.
- Ordinary naturalization: This is the standard route that requires four years of continuous and, most importantly, uninterrupted legal residence in Brazil. Becoming a naturalized citizen also requires you to show Portuguese proficiency, have a clean criminal record, and show integration into society.
- Reduced to one year: It is possible to reduce the residency period if you are married to a Brazilian citizen or have a child with one. You should not be legally separated from your spouse or partner at the time of the application.
- Portuguese-speaking nationals: Citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries have an even shorter residency requirement of only one year.
- Stateless persons: Stateless individuals can qualify after two years of residence in Brazil.
- Extraordinary naturalization: This route is available after 15 years of uninterrupted residence in Brazil. The main requirement is a clean criminal record.
Citizenship through marriage
Marriage is not a separate route. Under the official naturalization rules, being married to, or in a stable union with, a Brazilian, with no separation at the time citizenship is granted, reduces the residence period to 1 year. Present it as a reduction in the naturalization period.
Brazil Dual Citizenship Requirements
Every citizenship and naturalization option has its own requirements. So the exact documents will also depend on the person’s route and circumstances. However, these are the core documents needed for most applications.
- Valid passport
- Original birth certificate
- Police clearance certificates from Brazil and your home country
- Proof of legal residency to prove lawful residence in Brazil, through documents like residence permits or Federal Police records.
- Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas number from Receita Federal (CPF),( Brazil’s federal tax authority). This is the national taxpayer ID and is required for most administrative processes, including citizenship applications.
- Completed online application
- Federal Police interview (for in-country applicants)
Benefits of Holding Brazilian Dual Citizenship
- Full rights to live, work, and study in Brazil: When you have a Brazilian passport as your Plan B, you get the right to live anywhere in the country, have the same work rights as any other citizen, and you get to enroll yourself or your children in public or private educational institutions.
- A more direct path to property ownership and business registration: Brazil is also open to foreign investment, but as a citizen you can skip extra administrative processes because of your citizenship.
- Right to vote: Brazilian nationals, including naturalised citizens, have the right to register to vote and run in Brazilian elections. Article 14 of the Federal Constitution states that voting is required for citizens who are 18 or older. For those aged 16 to 17, people over 70, and those who are illiterate, voting is optional.
- A Brazilian passport: As a citizen, you are legally entitled to a Brazilian passport. It gives visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 176 countries and ranks 49th on the Global Passport Index by Global Citizen Solutions. This is a valuable asset that can be passed down generations.
- Mercosur mobility: As a full Mercosur member, Brazil gives its citizens simplified rights to live, work, and study in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. This means more flexibility and global mobility
Brazilian Citizenship and Tax Residency
Brazilian nationality and Brazilian tax residency are two separate things. According to the Brazilian tax law, you will not be liable for taxes just because you have a Brazilian passport. What will trigger a tax obligation is your tax residency, and based on that, the Receita Federal will recognize you as a legal taxpayer.
You can be considered a Brazilian tax resident if you:
- Have a permanent residence visa and establish residency in Brazil through a program like the Brazil Investor Visa, especially if you spend more than 183 days in one year.
- This also applies to anyone with a temporary residency permit. Your tax residency will only be determined if you either have a local job or you spend more than 183 days in a 12 month period.
- Hold a temporary visa and either take up local employment or stay in Brazil long enough to establish tax residency.
- You can just formally register a change of tax residency status with Receita Federal.
- If you are recognized as a Brazilian tax resident, then you will be subject to taxes on your worldwide income.
Additionally, as a tax resident, you will need a tax identification number from the Receita Federal, which will be used for more administrative processes.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is an advisory migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
