Europe hosts the second largest Brazilian community in the world after the US, exceeding 1 million people. Of those, more than a fourth, or over 270,000 Brazilians live in Portugal, and around 170,000 in Spain. Europe is an attractive destination for Brazilian nationals thanks to its higher quality of life, better employment and education opportunities but also favourable visa arrangements. So, does a Brazilian need a visa to visit Europe? In this article we talk about the European visa process and share some insights about the two destinations most popular among Brazilians: Portugal and Spain.
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Schengen visas
In most cases, getting a visa for Europe means a Schengen visa since nearly all European countries participate in the so-called Schengen Agreement and, respectively, the European Schengen Area within which there are no internal border controls. The only non-Schengen EU states are Cyprus which is currently in the process of adjusting its regime to Europe visa requirements, and Ireland that has its own visa policy. At the same time, in Bulgaria and Romania the border-control system is implemented only partially (there are still border checks if you arrive by land). Some non-EU countries are either members of the Schengen Area or apply Europe’s visa regulations to their national regimes.
| Affiliation | Countries |
|---|---|
| States that are both in the EU and the Schengen Area | Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden |
| EU states that are not part of the Schengen Area | Cyprus, Ireland |
| Non-EU states which are part of the Schengen Area | Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland |
| Non-EU and non-Schengen states which nevertheless do not have border controls with the Schengen Area | Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City |
There are three types of Schengen visas for Europe: A, C, and D.
- A and C EU visa types: these are transit (A) and short-stay (C) visas. The latter can be: 1 – allowing a single entry, 2 – double entry, and MULT – multiple entry into the Schengen Area.
- A D visa is a national long-stay visa. Under the European visa requirements, it is mandatory for anyone wishing to stay in a Schengen country for more than 90 days to study, work, or live there.
Brazilians enjoy the right of visa-free entry to the Schengen Area for short-term visits of up to 90 days, which is a convenient arrangement for tourists, businesspeople, or those visiting family. Therefore, the A and C types of visas to visit Europe are not applicable to Brazilian nationals (although the policy is about to change in 2025, more on this below). However, to stay for longer periods they need a D visa.
EU visa changes in 2025: ETIAS
Next year, a new Europe’s visa-waiver scheme is to be introduced, known as the European Travel Information Authorisation System (ETIAS). It is a security measure aimed at those who are granted the right to enter Europe visa-free and it will change the short-stay visa requirements for Brazilian citizens, among others.
So, with ETIAS in place, does a Brazilian need a visa to Europe? Visa, no; authorisation, yes. Starting in 2025, instead of just travelling with only their passports, Brazilian nationals will need to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver at least 96 hours before the trip. The application will be done online and cost €7 (free for those under 18 years old). The authorisation is granted for 3 years (or until the passport expiry date, whichever comes first) and is valid for multiple entries within the period. Nevertheless, the 90/180-day rule remains in place.
For a Brazilian national to apply for this visa waiver to travel to Europe, one needs:
- valid biometric passport
- bank card to pay the €7 fee
- valid email address to which the electronic copy of the waiver is to be sent.
Besides the basic personal details such as full name, address, and passport details, the Europe visa process under ETIAS will include providing information related to their health and employment history as well as their past and future trips to the Schengen Area among others.
While still not requiring a visa, to travel to Europe Brazilians will need to present their biometric passport and the ETIAS waiver upon entry to a Schengen state. Those holding more than one passport need to keep in mind that the passport must be the same which was used for waiver issuance.
In any case, the ETIAS waiver does not guarantee entry into the Schengen Area. The immigration authorities might refuse entry or request additional documents such as proof of sufficient financial resources or a return ticket.
Long-term stay (category D) visas
Depending on the purpose of stay, there are different visa types and visa requirements for Brazilian citizens. Unlike with short-stay visas in EU countries, the application for a D visa sometimes must be made in person, which means you need to have already entered the country, and the conditions vary between countries.
This type of visa for Europe is required for stays longer than three months for the following purposes:
- Work
- Study
- Residence (usually if there are sufficient funds and without the right to work)
- Family reunification
- Investment (in some countries)
Although the pattern is similar across the Schengen Area, there are no unified Europe visa requirements and each country applies its own criteria. For example, both Portugal and Spain have dedicated Digital Nomad visas, but Spain has a much lower income threshold for this type of visa. Italy has special quotas in place for the number of work permits that can be issued to non-European citizens to be employed in the country. Therefore, keep these differences in mind if as a Brazilian citizen you are looking for opportunities of getting a visa for Europe.
Basic types of visas offered in Europe
- Work visa. For professionals with a job offer in the country, intra-corporate transfers, seasonal workers, self-employed
- Student visa. For the students enrolled in an educational programme lasting longer than 3 months
- Family reunification visa. For family members of the country’s nationals/residents
- Retirement visa. For those with sufficient passive income of foreign origin, such as pensioners
Additional types of visas (availability varies):
- Entrepreneur/Startup visa. For those aiming to establish an innovative business in the country
- Highly qualified worker visa. For professionals in certain areas/activities
- EU Blue Card. For top professionals in certain areas/activities; can substitute or complement the national talent visa
- Digital nomad visa. For remote workers/freelancers who earn their income abroad
- Investment visa. For investors making substantial financial contributions to the national economy
With Portugal and Spain being home to the largest Brazilian diasporas in Europe, let us have a closer look at some specifics in their visa requirements for Brazilian citizens.
Portugal
Portugal is the first choice for many Brazilians looking to come to the EU. A beautiful country, it shares the language with Brazil and the two countries historically have extensive cultural and economic relations. Also, Brazilians value community ties and the large diaspora based in Portugal is viewed as (and, in fact, is) a major advantage. Thanks to their connections and general knowledge of the situation in Portugal, friends and family’s help with settling down and, later, going through the European visa process cannot be overestimated. Another great point is that not only are Brazilian nationals exempt from visas to travel to Europe but also can extend their short stay in Portugal for additional 90 days, that is, to 180 days in total.
Thanks to the absence of the language barrier, many Brazilians successfully find employment in Portugal. But the country is also a beacon for students: it is relatively cheap in tuition fees and cost of living and is home to some of the oldest universities in Europe, such as Coimbra University. Furthermore, over 30 Portuguese universities accept the Brazilian National Secondary School Examination (ENEM) for admission. Under this European study visa, international students are allowed to work for up to 20 hours a week and full-time during holidays (a great opportunity to save up some money and support loved ones back in Brazil). No wonder Brazilians are the largest ethnic group among international students in Portugal.
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As per the visa requirements for Brazilian citizens, getting a European study visa would require proof of acceptance to an educational institution in Portugal, sufficient financial resources, health insurance, accommodation in Portugal, round-trip tickets, and such. The application must be made with a consulate in Brazil. The usual processing time is about 2 months.
Spain
After Portugal, Spain is the second most popular destination among Brazilians. The similarities between the two languages are enough to get along smoothly from the very beginning plus Spain offers opportunities for Spanish language courses as well as vocational training. It has a major focus on attracting skilled professionals including digital nomads and self-employed but also is open to workers with lower qualifications such as au pairs which is an excellent opportunity for young Brazilians to earn extra money to support their loved ones in Brazil – or even a chance to find a more permanent employment on the spot.
As is common for Europe, the work visa process starts within a month after the employer in Spain obtains authorisation to hire you. Besides your employment, you will need to provide proof of your qualifications and accommodation in Spain, as well as a health certificate along with other standard documents. The usual processing time is about one month unless additional documents are requested.
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Those Brazilians who also want to bring their family with them to Spain need to keep in mind that, if they are on a work visa, the reunification is only possible after a year’s time and only if their contract is valid for at least another year. EU Blue Card holders, however, are exempt from this limitation and do not have to wait for a year. At the same time, Portugal allows family members to apply for an EU visa under family reunification together with the main applicant.
In conclusion, there are plenty of promising prospects for Brazilians in Europe and opportunities to improve their financial situation. Moreover, those who are already exploring those opportunities and need to support their families back in Brazil, can take advantage of a very special offer from Profee, an EU-licensed online money transfer service: transfers from Europe to Brazil are now commission-free! Besides, Profee always ensures its clients benefit from the most competitive exchange rate on the market, but right now you get an even more attractive EUR/BRL conversion rate on your first transfer. Try Profee and see for yourself!
