Brazil: investor residence through real estate or a Brazilian business

Brazil's Migration Law (Law 13.445/2017) and its regulation (Decree 9.199/2017) allow the National Immigration Council (CNIg) to set out investor residence routes. Normative Resolution 36/2018, as amended by Resolution 46/2022, covers real estate: the investor must buy one or more urban properties, built or under construction, worth at least R$1,000,000, or R$700,000 in the North and Northeast regions, using funds brought from abroad. Normative Resolution 13/2017 covers investment of at least R$500,000 in a new or existing Brazilian company, or at least R$150,000 in innovation and scientific or technological research. Resolution 49/2024, in force since September 2024, tightened the evidence required, including a declaration from a bank authorised by the Central Bank of Brazil confirming the international transfer of capital. The Ministry of Justice and Public Security decides applications; the Federal Police registers residents and issues the national migration registration card (CRNM).

The real estate permit is granted for four years. The holder must keep the property throughout and spend at least 14 days in Brazil, consecutive or not, in each two-year period from Federal Police registration; failing either condition can lead to cancellation. After four years, the holder can apply for residence for an indefinite period while keeping the investment. Under the company route, residence is indefinite from the start, but the investor must show that the investment and business plan have been carried out, and the Ministry can inspect.

Tax residence follows immigration status closely. A person who arrives with indefinite (permanent) residence is tax resident from the day of arrival, and a temporary resident becomes tax resident after more than 183 days in Brazil within a 12-month period. Residents are taxed on worldwide income at progressive rates of up to 27.5%. Since 2024, Law 14.754/2023 taxes income from offshore financial investments and controlled foreign entities annually at 15%, and from 1 January 2026 Law 15.270/2025 added 10% withholding on dividends above R$50,000 a month from one company and a minimum tax that rises to 10% on annual income above R$1.2 million. Pre-arrival planning, including the timing of the move and the status of existing trusts and companies, is therefore essential.

Spouses or partners, children and other dependent relatives can join the investor through family reunion. Ordinary naturalisation is available after four years of indefinite residence, reduced to one year for those with a Brazilian child or spouse or who have rendered relevant services to Brazil, and requires the ability to communicate in Portuguese and no criminal conviction. Brazil does not require new citizens to renounce their previous nationality, so dual nationality is possible where the other country allows it.