Brazilian naturalization
The last step of the immigration project. Once naturalized, you no longer depend on renewals and you hold the rights of a national, with the few exceptions set out in the Constitution.
Brazilian naturalization is the acquisition of nationality by someone born a foreigner. Lei 13.445/2017 provides for four types: ordinary, which requires four years of residence, extraordinary, which requires more than fifteen uninterrupted years, special and provisional. The application is decided by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.
The four types of naturalization and what each one requires
A comparison of the requirements set out in Lei 13.445/2017.
| Type | Residence time | Main requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary | 4 years | Civil capacity, residence in Brazil, ability to communicate in Portuguese and no criminal conviction or having been rehabilitated |
| Ordinary with reduced term | 1 year | The same requirements, with a reduced term for anyone with a Brazilian child, spouse or partner, who has rendered relevant service to Brazil or who is commended by professional, scientific or artistic capacity |
| National of a Portuguese-speaking country | 1 uninterrupted year | One uninterrupted year of residence and moral suitability, under article 12 of the Federal Constitution |
| Extraordinary | More than 15 uninterrupted years | Uninterrupted residence for more than fifteen years and no criminal conviction, or rehabilitation. The language requirement does not apply |
| Special | Not applicable | Spouse or partner of a serving member of the Brazilian Foreign Service, or of a person in the service of the Brazilian State abroad, and employees of a Brazilian diplomatic or consular mission for more than ten uninterrupted years |
| Provisional | Residence established before the age of 10 | Granted to a migrant child or adolescent who established residence in Brazil before turning ten. It converts into definitive naturalization if requested within two years of reaching majority |
What changes in practice when you naturalize
You no longer have a residence term to renew and no longer have to prove a tie in order to stay in the country. You gain a Brazilian passport, the right to vote and to run for elected office, with the constitutional exceptions, and access to public sector competitions reserved for Brazilians.
The Constitution reserves certain offices exclusively for Brazilians by birth, such as President of the Republic, and provides that a naturalized Brazilian cannot be extradited, except in specific situations connected to a crime committed before naturalization.
Losing your previous nationality is not an automatic consequence of Brazilian naturalization. That depends on the legislation of your country of origin, and it is worth checking before you decide.
How to apply for naturalization
The application is submitted to the Polícia Federal (Federal Police) and decided by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.
Check the applicable type and the residence time
This is the most decisive stage. Many people apply for ordinary naturalization after waiting four years when they were entitled to apply after one, or apply before completing the term and receive a refusal that delays everything.
Prove the continuity of your residence
You have to demonstrate regular residence over the period required. Long absences from the country and periods of irregular status between one permit and the next can break the count. Rebuilding that history with documents is part of the work.
Gather documents and certificates
Criminal record certificates in Brazil and abroad, proof of residence, your migration identity document and the documents specific to the type chosen.
Demonstrate the ability to communicate in Portuguese
Required for ordinary naturalization, and verified during the procedure. It does not apply to extraordinary naturalization.
Filing, examination and publication
After filing, the case is prepared and submitted for decision. Once naturalization is granted, it is published in the Official Gazette and you take the oath before the Federal Court before obtaining Brazilian documents.
Questions about Brazilian naturalization
How long do I have to live in Brazil to naturalize?
The general rule for ordinary naturalization is four years of residence. The term drops to one year for anyone with a Brazilian child or spouse, among other situations, and nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries need one uninterrupted year of residence and moral suitability. Extraordinary naturalization requires more than fifteen uninterrupted years.
Do I have to renounce my current nationality?
Brazilian law does not require renunciation of your nationality of origin in order to grant naturalization. The question is whether your own country allows dual nationality, and that is decided by its legislation, not by Brazilian law.
Is there a Portuguese language test in naturalization?
Ordinary naturalization requires the ability to communicate in Portuguese, verified during the procedure. Extraordinary naturalization, based on more than fifteen years of residence, does not carry that requirement.
Does a criminal conviction prevent naturalization?
The law requires having no criminal conviction or having been rehabilitated. In other words, a conviction is not necessarily a permanent bar: rehabilitation restores the position. Each case requires analysis of the nature of the conviction and of your current situation.
Does time as a tourist count towards naturalization?
What counts is regular residence, not simply being present in the territory. Periods as a visitor and periods of irregular status are generally not counted, and they can interrupt the count of uninterrupted time.
My child was born in Brazil. Is my child Brazilian?
As a rule, yes: the Constitution adopts the place of birth as the criterion for those born in Brazilian territory, except children of foreigners in the service of their own country. And having a Brazilian child is precisely one of the situations that reduce your naturalization term to one year and that ground residence through family reunion.
The rules cited on this page follow Lei 13.445/2017 (the Migration Law) and Decreto 9.199/2017. Requirements, deadlines and amounts may be changed by later regulations. Confirm the rule in force before making any decision.
Can you already apply for naturalization?
We check the applicable type and the count of your residence time before you file the request.
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