Yulia and Dmitry (names changed) traveled from Russia to Brazil this summer to have their child born in this country. Yulia was 32 weeks pregnant at the time of travel.
Experience of Giving Birth in Brazil
Yulia said: "Of course, we did not say at the border control that I was pregnant." Their daughter was born in a private clinic in Santos, a city in southern Brazil. Anyone born in this country automatically has the right to Brazilian citizenship. The family is currently preparing all the necessary documents.
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Dmitry stated: "We achieved our minimum goal. With a Brazilian passport, our daughter can travel to almost any country without a visa. She does not need to apply for the costly and time-consuming Schengen visa. We want her to be able to decide for herself where to study, work, or live."
Increase in Demand for Giving Birth in Brazil
Yulia and Dmitry mentioned that they spent approximately €10,000 (about $11,500) during the first six weeks of their stay in Brazil, which included several days of treatment for their daughter in the intensive care unit. Dmitry left his job at a bank for this trip and hopes to return to work after the family returns to Moscow.
With the increase in migration from Russia to Brazil, especially after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the demand for birth tourism in Brazil has also risen. Following changes in laws in Argentina, which was one of the main destinations for births abroad, many families have turned to Brazil. From 2025, access to free healthcare services for individuals without permanent residency will also be restricted.
According to reports, in 2023, more than 7,000 Russians applied for residency permits in Argentina, while this number dropped to about 1,800 by mid-2025. In contrast, nearly 500 Brazilian passports were issued to Russians in 2024, and this number rose to over 600 the following year.
Parents of a child born in Brazil can apply for residency permits under specific conditions, and this process usually takes place within a year.
