Brazilians are the largest non-European community in Ireland. Census 2022 counted 27,338 Brazilian citizens living here, one of the fastest growing groups since 2016, and nearly 80% of them are aged between 23 and 43. The classic route is an English language course with the right to work part time, but a growing number arrive on employment permits, as students at universities, or to join a partner. This guide covers what you need to know before you fly.
| Quick facts | Brazil to Ireland |
| Visa to enter | No, up to 90 days |
| Registration after arrival | Yes, IRP within 90 days if staying longer |
| Brazilian licence exchangeable | No |
| Double taxation agreement | No |
| Social security agreement | No |
| Brazilian citizens in Ireland (Census 2022) | 27,338 |
Do you need a visa?
- English language student (Stamp 2): enrol on a course listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes of at least 25 weeks, pay in full before you travel, and show private medical insurance and funds. You can work 20 hours a week in term time and 40 hours in holidays. Each permission lasts up to 8 months and you can do a maximum of three language courses (two years), after which you must move to a higher education course to stay.
- University or college on Stamp 2, with the Third Level Graduate Programme afterwards (12 months on Stamp 1G after a Level 8, up to 24 months after a Level 9 or 10).
- Critical Skills Employment Permit for jobs on the critical skills list, minimum salary 40,904 euro from 1 March 2026, or a General Employment Permit for other roles at 36,605 euro.
- Family: the spouse or partner of a Critical Skills permit holder gets Stamp 1G and can work without a permit; partners of Irish citizens apply for Stamp 4.
There is no Working Holiday agreement between Ireland and Brazil, so the student route remains the most common first step.
Your driving licence
Brazil is not on the NDLS list of recognised states, so a CNH cannot be exchanged for an Irish licence. You can drive on your CNH with an international driving permit for up to 12 months as a visitor, but once you are resident you need to go through the Irish system: driver theory test, learner permit, Essential Driver Training and the driving test. As a full licence holder you only need 6 EDT lessons instead of 12 and you can sit the test without the six month wait.
Tax, pensions and money
There is no double taxation agreement between Ireland and Brazil. Ireland taxes you on Irish income once you work here, and after 183 days in a calendar year you are Irish tax resident and taxed on worldwide income. Brazil treats you as non-resident once you file the declaração de saída definitiva with the Receita Federal, which stops Brazil taxing your Irish salary. Without a treaty, any income that both countries tax may only get partial relief, so file the exit declaration and keep records.
There is also no bilateral social security agreement, so PRSI paid in Ireland cannot be combined with INSS contributions. Your INSS record stays in Brazil and Irish PRSI builds a separate Irish State Pension record.
Your Brazilian credit history does not transfer; Irish lenders only see the Central Credit Register. Open an Irish bank account or a Revolut account with an Irish IBAN as soon as you have proof of address. For real to euro transfers, specialist services are much cheaper than bank wires.
Healthcare
Students must hold private medical insurance as a condition of their permission. Once you are ordinarily resident (living here or intending to for at least a year) you can use the public HSE system: public hospital inpatient charges were abolished in 2023, but a GP visit costs around 50 to 70 euro and an Emergency Department visit without a GP referral is 100 euro. Low earners can apply for a medical card or GP visit card. If you are 35 or over, buy private insurance within 9 months of arriving to avoid a Lifetime Community Rating loading.
Bringing your things and your pet
There are no non-stop flights between Brazil and Ireland; the usual connections are through Lisbon, Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam or London, around 14 to 16 hours in total. Most people arrive with luggage only and buy the rest here. If you do ship household goods, Transfer of Residence relief lets you import them free of duty and VAT after 12 months living outside the EU.
Brazil is an unlisted country for pet travel. Your dog or cat needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination, a rabies antibody blood test at least 30 days later at an EU approved lab, and then a three month wait before entry. You also need an EU animal health certificate, tapeworm treatment for dogs, and advance notice to the Department of Agriculture.
First 30 days checklist
- Apply for a PPS number through MyWelfare.ie once you have a letter confirming your address.
- Book your IRP registration with Immigration Service Delivery within 90 days (300 euro).
- Open an Irish bank account and register with Revenue myAccount to avoid emergency tax on your first payslip.
- Register with a GP near your accommodation.
- Get a Leap card, and a Student Leap card if you are on a course.
