Schengen Zone Guide for Brazilians: 90/180 Day Rule & ETIAS

Brazil and Europe are connected by centuries of history, migration, language, and culture. Portugal colonized Brazil for over three hundred years, leaving an indelible mark on Brazilian language, cuisine, architecture, and identity. Italy contributed the largest wave of immigration to Brazil in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and today millions of Brazilians carry Italian surnames and cultural traditions. These deep roots mean that for many Brazilians, a trip to Europe is not just tourism. It is a journey to ancestral homelands.

Brazilian passport holders enjoy visa-free access to the Schengen Zone for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day rolling period. However, understanding the nuances of this rule, the upcoming ETIAS system, and the unique possibilities that dual citizenship opens up is essential for Brazilian travelers planning trips to Europe. Whether you are visiting family in Lisbon, tracing your Italian roots in Veneto, or backpacking across the continent, this guide will help you navigate the Schengen rules with confidence.

The 90/180 Rule for Brazilians

As a Brazilian citizen, you can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period without a visa. This allowance covers all 29 Schengen member states collectively. Days spent in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, or any other Schengen country all draw from the same 90-day pool.

The 180-day window is rolling, not fixed to a calendar year or to your first entry date. On any given day, European border authorities look back 180 days and count how many of those days you were present in the Schengen Zone. If the total is 90 or more, you have reached your limit and cannot enter. There is no automatic reset when you leave Europe and return to Brazil.

This is especially important for Brazilians who make multiple trips to Europe in a year, which is common given the strong family, business, and cultural ties between Brazil and several Schengen countries. A two-week trip to visit family in Portugal in April, followed by a business trip to Germany in July, followed by a holiday in Spain in November, all draw from the same 90-day allowance. Each previous day only "falls off" the window 181 days after it was used.

Both entry and exit days count as full days in the Schengen Zone. If you arrive in Lisbon at midnight and depart from Rome at 5 AM two weeks later, both the arrival and departure dates are counted against your 90-day limit.

For a detailed breakdown of how the rolling 180-day window works with calculation examples, see our comprehensive guide: Understanding the Schengen 90/180 Day Rule.

ETIAS for Brazilian Citizens

Starting in 2026, all Brazilian citizens traveling to the Schengen Zone will need to obtain ETIAS authorization before departure. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is a new electronic pre-screening system for travelers from visa-exempt countries. It is similar in concept to the electronic travel authorizations already used by countries like Canada (eTA), Australia (ETA), and the United States (ESTA).

What Brazilian travelers need to know about ETIAS:

• Cost: EUR 7 (approximately BRL 40-45) per application. Travelers under 18 or over 70 are exempt from the fee.
• Validity: Three years from approval or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
• Application: Completed entirely online. You will need your Brazilian passport details, an email address, and answers to basic security and health questions.
• Processing Time: Most applications are approved within minutes, though some may take up to 96 hours if flagged for additional review.
• Multiple Entries: A valid ETIAS allows unlimited entries to the Schengen Zone during its validity period, as long as you respect the 90/180-day rule.

ETIAS does not change the 90/180 rule, extend your stay, or grant any work rights. It is purely a pre-travel screening step. Brazilian travelers should apply at least one week before their planned departure to allow time for processing. Applications can be submitted through the official ETIAS website or app.

For complete details on ETIAS, visit our dedicated guide: ETIAS Guide for Travelers.

Portuguese Heritage and Dual Citizenship

One of the most significant advantages available to many Brazilian travelers is the possibility of obtaining Portuguese citizenship. Due to centuries of shared history and massive waves of Portuguese migration to Brazil, a substantial number of Brazilians are eligible for Portuguese citizenship by descent. Portugal's nationality law allows citizenship to be claimed through parents, grandparents, and in some cases even great-grandparents who were Portuguese citizens.

If you hold Portuguese citizenship (or citizenship from any EU country), the 90/180 Schengen rule simply does not apply to you. As an EU citizen, you have the legal right to live, work, study, and travel freely throughout the entire European Union and Schengen Zone for as long as you wish. This is a fundamental right guaranteed by EU treaties, and it cannot be limited by the short-stay rules that apply to non-EU nationals.

For Brazilians who hold or are pursuing Portuguese citizenship, here are the practical implications:

• Enter on your EU passport: Always present your Portuguese (or other EU) passport at Schengen border crossings. This ensures you are processed as an EU citizen with full freedom of movement, not as a Brazilian national subject to the 90-day limit.
• No ETIAS needed: EU citizens do not need ETIAS authorization. If you have a Portuguese passport, you bypass the entire ETIAS system.
• Work rights: With Portuguese citizenship, you can work legally in any EU country without a work permit. This is particularly relevant for Brazilians considering employment in Portugal, where language is not a barrier.
• Carry both passports: Brazil allows dual citizenship with Portugal and other countries. Always carry both your Brazilian and Portuguese passports when traveling. Use the Portuguese one at European borders and the Brazilian one when returning to Brazil.

For Brazilians who do not yet have Portuguese citizenship but may be eligible, the process typically involves gathering documentation (birth certificates, marriage certificates, and Portuguese ancestry records), submitting an application to the Portuguese consulate in Brazil or directly in Portugal, and waiting for processing. The timeline can range from several months to over a year, so starting the process well in advance of any travel plans is advisable.

Cultural Connections to Portugal and Italy

Brazil's cultural ties to Europe are among the strongest of any non-European country, and they profoundly shape how Brazilians travel through the continent. Understanding these connections helps explain why certain Schengen destinations are so popular with Brazilian travelers and why extended stays are so common.

Portugal: The Motherland

Portugal is far and away the most popular European destination for Brazilians. The shared language eliminates the most significant barrier to extended travel, and Lisbon and Porto have large established Brazilian communities. Many Brazilians spend the majority of their Schengen days in Portugal, visiting family, exploring ancestral towns, or evaluating the country as a potential place to live.

Portugal has also positioned itself as a welcoming destination for Brazilian immigrants and long-term residents. Programs like the D7 visa (for passive income holders and retirees), the Digital Nomad Visa, and the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) mobility agreement offer pathways for Brazilians to stay in Portugal beyond the 90-day tourist limit. These are national Portuguese visas, separate from the Schengen short-stay rules, and they allow longer-term legal residence.

Italy: The Other Homeland

Italy contributed the largest immigrant population to Brazil between 1880 and 1930, and today an estimated 30 million Brazilians have Italian ancestry. This heritage drives enormous travel interest in Italy, particularly in the regions of Veneto, Lombardy, Campania, and Calabria, where many Brazilian families trace their roots.

Like Portugal, Italy recognizes citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis), and many Brazilians are eligible for Italian citizenship through their ancestors. The Italian citizenship process is notoriously lengthy, often taking years through the Italian consulates in Brazil, but some Brazilians travel to Italy to apply directly through Italian municipalities, which can be faster. If you are in Italy pursuing citizenship and your 90 Schengen days are running out, you will need to have applied for the appropriate visa or residence permit to remain legally.

Spain, France, and Beyond

Beyond Portugal and Italy, Brazilians frequently visit Spain (where the similar language makes communication easy), France (a perennial bucket-list destination), and Germany (home to a growing Brazilian community). When visiting multiple Schengen countries on a single trip, remember that all days count toward the same 90-day total. A week in Lisbon, ten days in Rome, a week in Barcelona, and a few days in Paris add up quickly.

Common Mistakes Brazilian Travelers Make

Assuming Portuguese Ancestry Grants Extra Stay Time

Unless you have actually obtained Portuguese (or other EU) citizenship and hold a valid EU passport, your Portuguese ancestry does not grant any additional stay time in the Schengen Zone. Many Brazilians assume that their family connection to Portugal gives them special treatment at borders. It does not. Without an EU passport, you are subject to the standard 90/180 rule regardless of your heritage. The only way to benefit from your ancestry is to complete the citizenship application process and receive an actual passport.

Overstaying While Waiting for Citizenship Documents

Some Brazilians travel to Italy or Portugal to process their citizenship applications in person, which can take weeks or months. If you are in a Schengen country waiting for your citizenship to be processed and your 90 days expire, you are overstaying, even if your citizenship application is pending. You must either have a valid long-stay visa or leave the Schengen Zone before your 90 days are up. Some municipalities in Italy can issue a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) for citizenship applicants, but this must be arranged before your tourist days expire.

Thinking Days in Portugal Do Not Count Toward Schengen

Despite the special relationship between Brazil and Portugal, days spent in Portugal absolutely count toward the 90-day Schengen limit. Portugal is a full Schengen member, and there is no exemption for Brazilian nationals. Some travelers confuse bilateral agreements (which may facilitate long-stay visas) with the Schengen short-stay rules. They are separate matters entirely.

Not Understanding the Rolling Window

The rolling 180-day window is the most misunderstood aspect of the Schengen rule for travelers of any nationality, and Brazilians are no exception. Many assume that after spending 90 days in Europe and returning to Brazil, they can come back to Europe after a few weeks with a fresh 90-day allowance. This is incorrect. Your previous days continue to count against your limit until each one individually ages out of the 180-day lookback window. If you spent 90 consecutive days in Europe, you must wait a full 90 days before returning for a new 90-day stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts for Brazilian Travelers

For Brazilians, Europe is more than a travel destination. It is a place of roots, family, and cultural identity. The connections between Brazil and Portugal, Italy, Spain, and other European nations create a constant flow of travelers across the Atlantic, driven by visits to family, exploration of heritage, business, education, and leisure.

The 90/180-day Schengen rule is a legal boundary that must be respected, even when the cultural pull to stay longer is strong. With the launch of ETIAS and the Entry/Exit System (EES) in 2026, border enforcement will become fully automated. Overstays will be detected instantly, and the consequences, including fines, deportation, and future entry bans, will be applied systematically.

If you are eligible for Portuguese or Italian citizenship through descent, pursuing it is the most effective way to eliminate Schengen time restrictions entirely. For those traveling on a Brazilian passport alone, accurate day-counting and careful trip planning are your best tools for staying compliant while making the most of your time in Europe.

Use TravelTally90's free calculator to track your past trips, plan future ones, and always know exactly how many days you have remaining. Share your itinerary with family members or travel companions via the URL sharing feature, and never leave your Schengen day count to guesswork.

Boa viagem, and enjoy your time in Europe!