Russian birth tourism to Brazil is increasing as families seek second citizenships and visa-free global mobility, driven by tighter travel restrictions following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, according to international news reports. Parents traveling from Russia are utilizing Brazil’s constitutional right to citizenship by birth to secure foreign passports for their newborns.
The Journey and Motivations of Russian Parents
According to reporting by Deutsche Welle, a Russian couple identified as Yulia and Dmitri traveled to Brazil during the summer while Yulia was 32 weeks pregnant. Their daughter was born at a private clinic in Santos, a city in southern Brazil. “With a Brazilian passport, our daughter will be able to travel without a visa to almost any country in the world,” Dmitri told DW, noting that the family spent approximately €10,000 ($11,500) during their first six weeks in the country, which included intensive care treatment for their newborn.
Another Russian parent named Yana, speaking to DW, gave birth to a son at a public hospital in Florianopolis in 2023. Yana stated that the events of 2022 played a role in their decision, alongside a long-held desire to secure a second passport.
Argentina’s Tighter Regulations Shift Focus to Brazil
The rise in Brazilian birth tourism follows restrictive policy changes in Argentina, which previously served as a primary destination for Russian citizens seeking birth-right citizenship abroad. According to DW and Tempo, Argentina tightened its regulations by requiring applicants for citizenship by descent to reside in the country for at least two years. Additionally, access to free healthcare for individuals lacking permanent residence permits was restricted starting in 2025.
Data from the Russian news outlet RBC, cited by DW, shows that more than 7,000 Russians applied for residence permits in Argentina in 2023. By mid-2025, that figure dropped to approximately 1,800. In contrast, official figures show that almost 500 Brazilian passports were issued to Russians in 2024, followed by more than 600 the subsequent year, with women accounting for more than half of the new recipients.
Legal Pathways and Residency Rights in Brazil
Under Brazilian law, anyone born within the country’s territory holds an automatic right to Brazilian nationality. Furthermore, parents of a child born in Brazil can apply for a local residence permit, which can be granted within a year under specific conditions outlined by immigration authorities. While some families, such as Yulia and Dmitri, plan to return to Moscow once all paperwork is completed, others choose to remain in Brazil or live as digital nomads while maintaining ties to the country.
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