Do Brazilians need a visa to live in Spain?
It depends on your nationality situation. Brazil has large communities of Italian and Portuguese descendants, many of whom have obtained — or are eligible for — EU citizenship through ancestry. This is the most important question to answer before starting any visa application.
If you hold Portuguese or Italian citizenship in addition to Brazilian, check if EU freedom of movement applies to you — you may not need a visa. Portuguese citizens have full freedom of movement within the EU including Spain. Italian citizens likewise. If you qualify for either nationality by descent and have not yet applied, do so before starting an NLV application.
Brazilians who hold only Brazilian nationality need a Spanish long-stay visa to reside in Spain for more than 90 days. The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is the standard route for those with passive income — retirees, property investors, dividend income holders, and those with income from Brazilian sources who do not work for Spanish clients.
Spain and Brazil have strong cultural and linguistic ties. The Portuguese-Spanish language crossover makes integration comparatively easy. Barcelona and Madrid are the top destinations for Brazilian residents in Spain, with a significant community also established in other major cities.
What health insurance do you need for the Spanish NLV?
The NLV requires a private health insurance policy meeting the following criteria — all of which must be explicitly confirmed in a Spanish-language visa certificate:
Zero copayments, zero deductible, zero co-insurance. 100% of costs covered from day one.
The policy must run for at least one full year from the start date.
Mainland Spain, Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Ceuta, and Melilla — no regional restrictions.
Medical repatriation to Brazil must be included and stated on the visa certificate.
Full cover from day one — no waiting periods for any aspect of the cover.
in Spanish visa certificate required. English or Portuguese-only certificates are not accepted at Spanish consulates.
Does Brazilian health insurance work for the Spanish NLV?
No. Brazilian public and private health provision is not accepted by Spanish consulates for the Non-Lucrative Visa.
Brazil's public health system (SUS — Sistema Único de Saúde) is not relevant to a Spanish visa application. Brazilian private health plans — Unimed, Bradesco Saúde, Amil, Sul América, Porto Seguro Saúde — are regulated under Brazilian law (ANS — Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar) and cannot issue the type of Spanish-language NLV visa certificate required by Spanish consulates.
The NLV requirement is specifically for a policy from a private insurer registered in Spain or the EU, with a certificate in Spanish that explicitly states all the required terms. Brazilian insurers, however comprehensive their coverage, cannot produce this document.
Specific notes for Brazilian applicants
The dual nationality angle
Brazil has the largest ethnic Italian and one of the largest Portuguese diaspora communities outside Europe. Many Brazilians are eligible for Portuguese or Italian citizenship — and with it, EU freedom of movement rights that remove the need for a Spanish visa entirely.
- Portuguese citizenship: Available through ancestry (jus sanguinis) if you have a Portuguese parent or grandparent. The Portuguese consulate in Brazil handles applications — processing can take 1–2 years, but once obtained, you have full EU freedom of movement including Spain.
- Italian citizenship: Italy allows citizenship by descent through Italian-born ancestors with no generation limit (in most cases). The Italian consulate in Brazil handles applications — also often a lengthy process, but the citizenship is permanent and inheritable.
If you are planning to live in Spain in the medium-to-long term, pursuing EU citizenship through ancestry while simultaneously applying for an NLV is a viable strategy — the NLV gets you there sooner while your EU citizenship application is processed.
Where to apply for the NLV
Brazilians apply at the Spanish consulate that covers their state of residence. Key locations:
- São Paulo — the largest and busiest NLV processing consulate for Brazilians
- Rio de Janeiro
- Recife, Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Belo Horizonte, Salvador
Book your consulate appointment as early as possible — the São Paulo consulate handles very high NLV volumes and appointment slots can be months away.
Certificate language
Even though Portuguese and Spanish are closely related, Spanish consulates require the insurance certificate in Spanish — not Portuguese. All compliant insurers issue Spanish-language visa letters as standard. Request the carta/certificado para visado de residencia no lucrativa specifically when purchasing your policy.
Best health insurance for Brazilian NLV applicants
All three insurers below are established at Spanish consulates in Brazil and meet every NLV requirement.
How to apply for the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa
Check whether you qualify for Portuguese or Italian citizenship by descent. If so, you can pursue EU citizenship in parallel with your NLV application.
Gather evidence of at least ~€2,400/month in passive income. Brazilian Real income must be converted — USD or EUR accounts are easier to evidence. Bank statements, pension notices, investment statements.
Buy from a Spanish or EU-registered insurer. Request the Spanish-language visa certificate. Do not use SUS, Unimed, Bradesco or any Brazilian plan.
NLV application form, valid passport, passport photos, criminal record certificate (apostilled), proof of Spain accommodation, income evidence, and health insurance certificate. Book at your nearest Spanish consulate.
Register with your local town hall (empadronamiento) and apply for your TIE card within 30 days of arrival.
Frequently asked questions
Do Brazilians need a visa to live in Spain? +
Brazilians holding only Brazilian nationality need a Spanish long-stay visa. Brazilians with Portuguese or Italian citizenship through ancestry have EU freedom of movement and do not need a visa — but do still benefit from private health insurance for immediate access to healthcare.
Is Unimed or Bradesco Saúde accepted for the Spanish NLV? +
No. No Brazilian health plan is accepted for the Spanish NLV. You need a policy from a Spanish or EU-registered private insurer that can issue a Spanish-language NLV visa certificate.
If I have Portuguese citizenship, do I still need insurance for Spain? +
You don't need it for a visa, but private health insurance is still strongly recommended. EU citizens living in Spain without employment typically need to demonstrate self-sufficiency to access the public health system — private insurance provides immediate cover from day one.
Where do Brazilians apply for the Spanish NLV? +
At the Spanish consulate covering your state of residence. São Paulo handles the highest volume. Other consulates are in Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Belo Horizonte, and Salvador. Book well in advance.
How far in advance can I buy my health insurance before my consulate appointment? +
Most insurers allow 30–90 days advance purchase with a future start date. Sanitas is the most flexible — policies can be contracted up to 6 months before the start date. The policy start date must align with your intended arrival in Spain, not your consulate appointment date.
What happens if my Spanish visa application is refused — can I get a refund? +
Most Spanish health insurers will cancel and refund your premium if you notify them promptly after a refusal. Sanitas and Caser both have clear refund procedures for this. Always confirm the cancellation policy in writing before purchasing — some insurers retain a small administration fee.
Do I need a separate insurance certificate for each family member? +
Yes. Every person named in the visa application — main applicant, spouse, and children — needs their own individual insurance certificate. Some insurers offer family pricing where everyone is covered under one contract, but each person still receives a separate certificate document. Sanitas and Adeslas both offer multi-person pricing with per-person discounts.
Which insurer is best for Brazilian NLV applicants? +
Sanitas is the top recommendation — instant Spanish visa certificate, BUPA-backed, and well-established at Brazilian consulates. ASSSA is the best option for applicants over 70.