Brazilian citizens enjoy visa-free entry to the Schengen area and, as Ibero-American nationals, only need two years of legal residence in Spain to apply for Spanish citizenship — making Spain particularly attractive. Brazil is in the Hague Apostille Convention, which keeps document legalisation simple.
Visa-free Schengen entry
Yes — 90/180
Apostille convention
Yes (Hague 1961)
Tax treaty with Spain
Yes
Path to citizenship
2 years (Ibero-American)
Criminal record
Certidão de Antecedentes Criminais issued by the Polícia Federal (online via gov.br or in person).
Apostille / legalisation
Apostille via a Brazilian notary (Tabelionato) authorised by the CNJ.
Where to apply
Apply at the Spanish Consulate covering your state (São Paulo, Rio, Brasília, Porto Alegre, Salvador, Recife) — or from inside Spain via UGE.
Tax considerations
Brazil taxes worldwide income for residents; file the Declaração de Saída Definitiva when leaving to avoid double residency. Brazil–Spain treaty applies.
Get the Certidão de Antecedentes Criminais
Order via Polícia Federal online — typically issued within days.
Apostille at a Brazilian notary
Any CNJ-authorised Tabelionato can apostille; some notaries are much faster than others.
Sworn Spanish translation
Use a traductor jurado registered with Spain’s MAEC.
Choose UGE or consulate
From inside Spain (visa-free) → UGE within 90 days. From Brazil → consulate covering your state.
Plan the 2-year citizenship track
Register padrón and TIE quickly; the 2-year clock for Ibero-American citizenship starts from residence card issuance.
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Complete Spain Digital Nomad Visa guide
Requirements, income thresholds and full timeline.
Document checklist
Every document you need for the application.
Apostille and sworn translation
How to legalise foreign documents for Spain.
Compare your situation with the applicant scenarios (freelancer, employee, family) to confirm your route.