Brazil has officially opened its doors wider to the Irish market. Inter-Ministerial Ordinance 18/2026—published in the federal gazette and reported on 8 March 2026—adds Ireland to a select list of countries whose nationals may enter visa-free for tourism, conferences and short business meetings of up to 90 days per year (extendable once). The move reverses the e-visa regime introduced in 2024, which cost travellers US $120 and took up to two weeks to process. For Irish businesses, the change removes a minor but real friction. Ireland exported €204 million worth of goods to Brazil in 2025, a figure Enterprise Ireland expects to rise as ag-tech, fintech and med-tech firms target South America’s largest economy. Trade missions planned for São Paulo and Porto Alegre later this year can now proceed without the administrative overhead of visa letters and appointment backlogs at Brazil’s London embassy. Corporate mobility teams should nevertheless note important caveats. Paid work and technical-service activities still require the appropriate temporary-visa or work permit, and Brazilian immigration at the border may request proof of return ticket, accommodation and funds. Frequent flyers must watch the cumulative-stay rule: the 90-day count resets only after 12 months, not on 1 January. Air-service capacity is already responding. TAP Air Portugal is seeking additional Lisbon–Dublin–Belém traffic rights, while Air France-KLM is eyeing a codeshare expansion that would offer four daily one-stop options to Rio and São Paulo. Travel buyers should lock in inventory early, as seasonal demand peaks around Rock in Rio and major trade fairs. In the wider context, Brazil’s policy is part of a regional trend. Argentina and Colombia scrapped reciprocity fees for EU nationals last year, and Chile is reviewing its visa-on-arrival fees. Irish passport holders now enjoy visa-free or eTA-only access to 190 territories, cementing the document’s position near the top of the Henley Passport Index.
Source: Travel and Tour World
