Destination guide
Last updated: June 15, 2026The Lusophone giant — from Rio to the Amazon, Salvador to São Paulo. Beach, rainforest, samba and an energy that’s contagious. Here is the essential to enter and get around, verified.
Travel essentials
EU citizens (Portugal, Spain, France, etc.) and the UK enter visa-free for tourism for up to 90 days, extendable by a further 90 within a year. Brazil reintroduced an electronic visa only for US, Canadian and Australian citizens (since 2025), on a reciprocity basis — this does not affect France or the other EU countries. Passports from Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal need a visa to enter Brazil; Angola’s status should be confirmed at the consulate. The yellow fever vaccine is strongly recommended (see Health). Always confirm at the official source.
| Passport | Entry rule | Max stay |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal · Spain · France · United Kingdom · EU | Visa-free (tourism) | 90 days (extendable +90) |
| Cabo Verde · Guinea-Bissau · Nigeria · Ghana · Senegal | Visa required (tourism) | — |
| Angola | To confirm at the Brazilian consulate (status uncertain) | — |
⚠️ Border rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source (consulate, immigration, travel.state.gov, gov.uk, Portal das Comunidades) before travelling.
Health
Yellow fever is not required to enter from Europe, but it is strongly recommended: health authorities advise the vaccine for almost all of Brazil, except the cities of Fortaleza and Recife. Get it at least 10 days before travelling. Note: if you continue from Brazil to another country (for example, in Africa), the international yellow fever certificate may be required. There is also dengue risk (use repellent), and hepatitis A and typhoid are advised depending on the itinerary.
Passport
Passport valid for at least 6 months on the date of entry. Proof of onward travel and of means of support may be requested.
To confirm (not published as fact):
- Visa status of the Angolan passport for entering Brazil — uncertain; confirm with the Brazilian consulate. (Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal: visa required, confirmed.)
Arrival & Safety
Airport
São Paulo-Guarulhos (GRU) is South America’s biggest hub; Rio has Galeão (GIG) and Santos Dumont (SDU, domestic, downtown). Brasília (BSB), Belo Horizonte (CNF), Salvador (SSA), Recife (REC) and Fortaleza (FOR) serve the regions. The country is continental — domestic flights (GOL, LATAM, Azul) save many hours.
Getting in
Use ride apps — Uber, 99 (the popular Brazilian app) and Cabify — instead of street taxis: the fare is fixed, trackable and safer. At airports, order the car via the app from the designated pickup point. Avoid hailing taxis on the street at night. Metros serve São Paulo, Rio and Brasília.
Safety
Brazil is warm and safe for the informed traveller, but asks for care: it’s at Level 2 (US), with a kidnapping indicator. The golden rule is don’t flash wealth — stay low-key, no jewellery, expensive watches or phone in sight on the street (phone theft is common). Don’t enter favelas on your own. Higher-risk (avoid) are areas within 160 km of land borders — except the Foz do Iguaçu and Pantanal parks — and certain neighbourhoods at night in Rio, São Paulo, Salvador and Recife. With common sense, millions visit without trouble.
⚠️ Border rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source (consulate, immigration, travel.state.gov, gov.uk, Portal das Comunidades) before travelling.
Money
Currency: Brazilian real (R$, BRL). Pix — instant phone payment — dominates the country, but usually requires a Brazilian account and CPF; as a tourist, pay by card (contactless accepted almost everywhere) and carry some cash for markets, the beach and rural areas. ATMs are common (use bank ones, in daylight). Avoid airport exchange desks.