Brazil · Citizenship
Brazilian Citizenship Through Naturalization
Brazil naturalizes foreign residents through several routes, and ordinary naturalization is the one most investors use. It requires indefinite residence, four years living in Brazil, the ability to communicate in Portuguese and a clean criminal record.
- Startup route
- Innovation investor residence (CNIg Normative Resolution 13/2017)
- Minimum capital
- BRL 150,000 for innovation; BRL 500,000 otherwise
- Permanent residence
- Residence granted for an indefinite term
- Citizenship
- 4 years of residence, plus Portuguese
Ordinary naturalization (naturalização ordinária)
Ordinary naturalization is open to foreigners with residence for an indefinite term and civil capacity who can communicate in Portuguese and have no criminal conviction. The standard residence period is four years. It drops to two years for stateless people and for applicants who have rendered relevant service to Brazil or stand out for professional, scientific or artistic ability, and to one year for those with a Brazilian child, a Brazilian spouse or partner, or origin in a Portuguese-speaking country. Applications are digital through the Naturalizar-se platform, followed by an in-person Federal Police appointment. The service is free, and the government estimates up to 180 calendar days.
- Standard period
- 4 years of residence
- Reduced periods
- 2 years or 1 year in listed cases
- Language
- Ability to communicate in Portuguese
- Status needed
- Residence for an indefinite term
- Fee
- Free of charge
- Processing
- Up to 180 calendar days (official estimate)
- Takes effect
- On publication in the Diário Oficial da União
Requirements
- Hold residence for an indefinite term and have civil capacity.
- Live in Brazil for four years, or for two years or one year in the listed reduction cases.
- Show the ability to communicate in Portuguese.
- Have no criminal conviction.
How to apply
- Apply online through the Naturalizar-se platform.
- Book and attend the in-person Federal Police appointment after the preliminary review.
- Wait for the ministerial ordinance to be published in the Diário Oficial da União.
- Return to the Federal Police after the decision, since naturalization certificates are no longer issued.
Extraordinary naturalization (naturalização extraordinária)
Extraordinary naturalization is the long-residence alternative to the ordinary route. It requires 15 years of uninterrupted residence for an indefinite term in Brazil and the absence of any criminal conviction, and absences from the country during those 15 years are limited to 45 months in total. As with the ordinary route, applications are filed digitally through the Naturalizar-se platform and take effect when the ministerial ordinance granting nationality appears in the official gazette. For investors who already hold indefinite residence, the four-year ordinary route is normally far quicker.
- Residence
- 15 years of uninterrupted indefinite residence
- Absences
- Up to 45 months in total
- Record
- No criminal conviction
- Filing
- Naturalizar-se digital platform
Requirements
- Fifteen years of uninterrupted residence for an indefinite term in Brazil.
- Absences from Brazil totaling no more than 45 months in that period.
- No criminal conviction.
How to apply
- Count residence years and total absences.
- Apply through the Naturalizar-se platform.
- Attend the Federal Police appointment when scheduled.
Dual nationality and investment
Brazil has no citizenship-by-investment program; investment helps only because the investor resolutions grant residence for an indefinite term from the start. Since Constitutional Amendment 131 of 2023, Brazilians no longer lose their nationality simply by acquiring another one. Loss now depends on an express request from a Brazilian who already holds another nationality permanently, refused if it would leave the person stateless, or on judicial cancellation of a naturalization, for example for fraud in the process or an attack on the constitutional order.
For foreign investors, the naturalization requirements published by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security do not include renouncing a previous nationality. Whether the country of origin allows its citizens to keep their nationality after becoming Brazilian is decided by that country's own law. Naturalization takes effect on the date the ministerial ordinance is published in the official gazette, and the government no longer issues naturalization certificates; the new Brazilian then completes the remaining formalities with the Federal Police.
Questions and answers
How long does it take an investor to become a Brazilian citizen?
An investor who receives indefinite residence under Resolution 11 or 13 can apply for ordinary naturalization after four years of residence, provided they can communicate in Portuguese and have no criminal conviction. The government estimates processing at up to 180 calendar days, so the full path runs to roughly four and a half years.
Does Brazil allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Since Constitutional Amendment 131 of 2023, acquiring another nationality no longer causes a Brazilian to lose Brazilian nationality, and the naturalization requirements do not ask foreigners to renounce their own. The investor's country of origin may have different rules, so its authorities should be consulted before naturalizing.
Is Portuguese required for Brazilian naturalization?
Yes, for ordinary naturalization. Applicants must show they can communicate in Portuguese, alongside indefinite residence, civil capacity and the absence of criminal convictions. The federal services portal lists the proficiency certificate exam for foreigners as a related service, and the Ministry of Justice sets which documents are accepted as proof.
Is there a faster route for people from Portuguese-speaking countries?
Yes. The Ministry of Justice lists origin in a Portuguese-speaking country among the cases that cut the ordinary naturalization period from four years to one year. The same one-year period applies to applicants with a Brazilian child or a Brazilian spouse or partner, while the other requirements stay the same.
Official sources
- O que é Naturalização?www.gov.br
- Perguntas frequentes - Naturalizaçãowww.gov.br
- Solicitar Naturalizaçãowww.gov.br
- Perda da Nacionalidade Brasileirawww.gov.br
Reviewed October 2026. Immigration rules change often. Confirm the current requirements with the official authority or a licensed adviser before applying.
Your path in Brazil.
Startup visa
Prior authorization for a BRL 150,000+ innovation investment, then VITEM IX
02Temporary residence
Register with the Federal Police and receive the CRNM migrant card
03Permanent residence
Indefinite term under RN 13, conditional on executing the business plan
04Citizenship
Ordinary naturalization after 4 years; 2- and 1-year reductions exist