Europe for Brazilian passport holders: visa-free 90 days, transatlantic routing, BRL card tips
Brazilian passport holders enter Europe visa-free for 90 days (ETIAS €7). TAP Air Portugal connects São Paulo and Rio to Lisbon, with onward connections across Europe. Brazil's IOF tax adds up to 6.38% on card purchases abroad — Wise significantly reduces this.
Visa requirements
Brazilian passport holders enter Schengen visa-free for 90 days in any 180-day period. ETIAS required — €7, apply at travel-europe.europa.eu, valid 3 years. Portugal is a natural first destination due to linguistic and cultural ties — Lisbon and Porto are natural entry points for Brazilian visitors.
Documents required
- ✓Valid Brazilian passport (6+ months validity)
- ✓ETIAS authorisation
Flights from Brazil to Europe (Schengen)
Money, cards & forex fees
Best BRL→EUR rate — essential for Brazilian Europe travellers. Brazilian IOF tax still applies on card payments abroad.
Zero forex weekday BRL→EUR — Revolut now available in Brazil
Brazilian neobank credit card — lower total cost than traditional Brazilian bank cards (6.38%)
ATMs in Europe (Schengen)
Best ATMs: Use ATMs attached to local banks: BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, ING, Crédit Agricole, Rabobank. Avoid Euronet ATMs (the standalone machines in tourist areas, airports, train stations) — they add 3–5% markup and poor exchange rates on top of their own fees.
Typical surcharge: €2–5 at local bank ATMs; €5–10 at Euronet standalone ATMs — avoid Euronet
Withdrawal tip: Most of Europe (especially cities) is card-friendly — Visa/Mastercard contactless accepted almost everywhere. Keep €50–100 cash for markets, smaller restaurants, and rural areas. Some restaurants in Italy and Greece still prefer cash.
Top cities in Europe (Schengen)
Paris
The world's most visited city — the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral (now restored), Montmartre, and some of the world's finest restaurants. Paris demands at least 4–5 days and rewards slow exploration. The RER and Métro connect every arrondissement. Museum queues are long; pre-book everything.
Amsterdam
A city of canals, world-class museums, and cycling culture. The Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum are among Europe's finest. The Anne Frank House requires timed tickets booked weeks ahead. Amsterdam's compact size makes it ideal for walking or cycling. Vibrant nightlife and exceptional food scene.
Rome
Two thousand years of history in a single walkable city. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon are all within reasonable distance. Rome rewards those who get lost in its neighbourhoods — Trastevere and Pigneto offer the most authentic dining. Book Vatican tickets at least 2 weeks ahead.
Barcelona
Gaudí's architectural masterpieces define Barcelona — Sagrada Família (still being completed after 140+ years), Park Güell, Casa Batlló, and La Pedrera make it unlike any other European city. The Gothic Quarter, La Boqueria market, and Barceloneta beach complete the picture. Famously late dining culture — restaurants don't fill until 9–10pm.
Berlin
Europe's most fascinating city for 20th-century history — the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall Memorial, Holocaust Memorial, and Checkpoint Charlie tell the story no textbook can. Berlin is also Europe's club capital and has a thriving contemporary art and tech scene. Comparatively affordable by Western European standards. Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Brazil's IOF tax and how it affects European card spending
Brazilian credit and debit cards charge IOF (Imposto sobre Operações Financeiras) on international transactions — currently 6.38% for credit card payments and 1.1% for debit card payments abroad. This applies on top of any forex spread. A €1,000 hotel charge on a standard Brazilian credit card costs approximately BRL 6,030 (at R$5.50/€) plus 6.38% IOF — totalling approximately BRL 6,415. Wise works differently: converting BRL to EUR as a wire transfer attracts the lower 1.1% IOF rate, saving approximately 5% on every transaction. For a R$15,000 European trip, that's R$750 in tax savings. Nubank and Inter both have international cards with 4.38% IOF (credit) which improve on traditional banks but Wise remains the optimal approach.
On-arrival tips
- 1TAP Air Portugal via Lisbon is the natural routing — Portugal is Brazil's linguistic homeland in Europe
- 2Lisbon and Porto are the most Portuguese-Brazilian-friendly entry points — Portuguese widely spoken
- 3BRL IOF tax: Brazilian law applies a 6.38% IOF (tax on financial operations) on international card purchases — Wise reduces this by converting at the international transfer rate instead
Key takeaways
- ✓Brazilian passport: visa-free Schengen 90 days — ETIAS (€7) required
- ✓TAP Air Portugal São Paulo/Rio to Lisbon — natural Portuguese-language routing
- ✓Brazilian IOF tax adds 6.38% on credit card purchases abroad — Wise reduces this significantly
- ✓Avoid Euronet ATMs — use local bank ATMs only
- ✓Lisbon and Porto are the most welcoming cities for Brazilian visitors in Europe
Related visa guides
Visa information is based on publicly available government sources and official embassy data. Entry requirements, fees, and procedures change frequently — always verify with the official embassy or consulate of Europe (Schengen) before travelling. ForexFee is not a legal adviser.