Path to citizenship
- Apply7-180 days
- Citizenshipgranted
Overview
- Country
- Brazil
- Program
- Brazilian Citizenship by Descent
- Local name
- Nacionalidade Brasileira por Descendência
- Type
- Citizenship by Descent
- Status
- Active
- Processing time
- 7-180 days
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Visa-free countries
- 170 destinations
- Passport rank
- #19 (Henley Index)
Brazilian citizenship for children born abroad to at least one Brazilian parent. Limited to 1 generation — only children of Brazilian citizens qualify, not grandchildren. Two pathways: (1) consular registration at birth (automatic), or (2) later registration in Brazil combined with a formal declaration of intent to be Brazilian after age 18. A Brazilian parent serving the government abroad confers automatic citizenship regardless.
Fees and costs
- Application fee
- $0
- Passport fee
- $120
Eligibility and requirements
- Police clearance not required
- Medical exam not required
Ancestry requirements
- Generational limit
- 1 generation(s)
- Ancestor citizenship
- Must have been citizen
Passport and mobility
- Passport rank
- #19 (Henley Index)
- Visa-free access
- 170 countries
- Passport validity
- 10 years
- EU citizenship
- No
- Schengen access
- No
How to apply
- Method
- Both
- Apply from abroad
- Yes
- Application type
- Open
- Official website
- www.gov.br
- Legal basis
- Brazilian Constitution 1988, Article 12, Section I(c)
Notes and caveats
Very strict 1-generation limit: only children of Brazilian citizens qualify, not grandchildren or further. If not registered at a consulate at birth, the person must physically move to Brazil and formally opt for Brazilian nationality after turning 18. Digital consular registration expanded in 2025 to simplify the process worldwide. Brazil does not have E-2 treaty with the US. Brazilian passport ranks well for Latin American travel but has fewer visa-free European/Asian destinations than EU passports.