General program requirements

Applicants to Brazil Retirement Visa must demonstrate the monthly receipt of the equivalent to at least  US$2,000 in Brazil. 

Unlike in many Latin American countries, the Brazil requires that applicants to its Retirement Visa actually be retired (or the beneficiary of a death benefit). “Retired” here means that you are no longer working and that you are retired according to the retirement laws of your home country. 

Your retirement income can take the form of pensions (public or private), dividends, annuities, or other types of passive, regular income.

In some cases, applicants may be able to qualify on the basis of showing sufficient private savings, rather than a regularized monthly income.

Program benefits

• No investment or donation requirement;
• Path to citizenship;
• Permits dual/multiple citizenship;
• Lower cost of living;
• Warm climate;
• Enhanced business access to large economies;
• Short processing time

Requirements to qualify for citizenship

The initial retirement visa is valid for 2 years, and is renewable indefinitely. 

After two years of living in Brazil, however, the individual may apply for permanent residency.

Although not an explicit legal requirement, those wishing to qualify for permanent status are advised to spend at least 183 days a year physically in Brazil.

After 6 years (2 years as temporary resident, 4 years as permanent), the applicant is eligible to apply for Brazilian citizenship.

The ability to communicate in Portuguese is a requirement for citizenship in Brazil.

Applications for this program may be directed to:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Legislation upon which this program is based: