Brazil · Citizenship
Brazil citizenship for Americans: how many years, and can you keep US citizenship?
Short answer
Apply after 4 years of residence, or 1 with a Brazilian spouse or child. You can keep your US citizenship.
The rules
| Timeline | About 4 years of residence right before you apply; whether temporary-visa years count Needs review |
|---|---|
| Dual citizenship | Yes: Brazil doesn't ask you to give up your US citizenship. |
Checked against the law The 4-year rule, absences and dual citizenship, read in the migration law and Constitution.
Needs review Whether years on a temporary visa count toward the 4.
Good to know
- 4 years of residence; only 1 with a Brazilian child or a Brazilian spouse or partner.
- Portuguese: shown with a Celpe-Bras certificate or a listed alternative, such as a Brazilian degree.
- Trips abroad: totaling up to 12 months over the period don't block you.
- Clean record: no criminal conviction, or proof of rehabilitation.
- Fees and timing: Not established yet
- Which years count: a refugee-agency guide says only indefinite residence counts. If so, nomad and retiree years wouldn't.
- Keeping it: Brazilian nationality is lost only by a court ruling or your own express request.
Sources (5)
Legal basis and exact figures
- Clock: ordinary naturalisation needs civil capacity, at least 4 years of residence immediately before applying, Portuguese and no conviction or rehabilitation (Lei 13.445 art 65; Decreto 9.199 art 233). At least 1 year with a Brazilian child or non-separated Brazilian spouse or partner (Lei art 66 II–III; Decreto art 235); 2 years for relevant service or professional, scientific or artistic capacity (Decreto art 236; the Lei says at least 1). Portuguese-speaking countries' nationals: 1 year (not US citizens). Extraordinary: more than 15 uninterrupted years (Lei art 67).
- Absences and which residence counts: sporadic trips totalling no more than 12 months don't block the grant (Decreto art 233 §2). The MJ list asks for the CRNM and proof of continuous residence; a UNHCR guide says only residence por prazo indeterminado counts (Portaria MJSP 623/2020, not read).
- Portuguese: Celpe-Bras or listed alternatives (Portaria 623/2020 art 5, per the MJ document list).
- Dual nationality: no renunciation in the texts read; under Constitution art 12 §4 (EC 131/2023) Brazilian nationality is lost only by judicial cancellation of naturalisation (fraud or attack on the constitutional order) or an express request. Fees and processing time not established.
Links
Citizenship in Brazil, in full → The full Brazil guide →
Questions people ask
How many years until I can become a citizen of Brazil?
About 4 years of residence right before you apply; whether temporary-visa years count (Needs review)
Can I keep US citizenship if I become a citizen of Brazil?
Yes: Brazil doesn't ask you to give up your US citizenship.