Totalisation of periods
Contribution periods completed in both countries can be added together to qualify for benefits. This way, time worked abroad helps you meet the requirements in Brazil.
Brazilians abroad
Working in Brazil and abroad: how the agreements work
Social security agreements safeguard the rights provided under the legislation of both countries for workers and their dependants. See which countries have an agreement with Brazil, what they allow and how to submit an application.
How they work
Three ideas to understand the agreements
The agreements do not change each country's law: each country assesses the application and decides on entitlement under its own legislation and the agreement.
Proportional amount
For benefits granted through totalisation, the income paid by the INSS is proportional to the contribution period in Brazil and may be lower than the minimum wage. The other country calculates its share under its own rules.
Decree 3.048/1999, art. 35, § 1º
Applying in the country where you live
The application (including for a benefit from the other country) is submitted to the social security agency of the country of residence. In Brazil, it is submitted at Social Security Offices (Agências da Previdência Social), which forward the file to the liaison agency.
Search
Search for the country where you worked
The result shows whether there is an agreement in force, whether it is awaiting ratification or whether the case requires verification.
Agreements in force
19 countries and Quebec with bilateral agreements, plus two multilateral agreements
The year indicates when the bilateral agreement entered into force, where stated on the official page. Some countries are covered by more than one agreement.
Europe
- GermanyBilateral · 2013
- AustriaBilateral · 2026
- BelgiumBilateral · 2014
- BulgariaBilateral · 2024
- SpainBilateral · 1995 · Ibero-American
- FranceBilateral · 2014
- GreeceBilateral · 1990
- ItalyBilateral · 1977
- LuxembourgBilateral · 1967
- PortugalBilateral · 1995 · Ibero-American
- Czech RepublicBilateral · 2024
- SwitzerlandBilateral · 2019
Americas
- ArgentinaMercosur · Ibero-American
- BoliviaIbero-American
- CanadaBilateral · 2014
- Quebec (Canada)Bilateral · 2016
- ChileBilateral · 1993 · Ibero-American
- El SalvadorIbero-American
- EcuadorIbero-American
- United StatesBilateral
- ParaguayMercosur · Ibero-American
- PeruIbero-American
- UruguayMercosur · Ibero-American
Asia
- South KoreaBilateral · 2015
- IndiaBilateral
- JapanBilateral · 2012
Africa
- MozambiqueBilateral
Mercosur Agreement
Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. In force since 01/06/2005.
Ibero-American Convention
In force for Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, El Salvador, Ecuador, Spain, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal and Uruguay. In Brazil, since 19/05/2011.
Awaiting ratification
Bilateral agreements with Cape Verde, Israel and Sweden, and the Multilateral Social Security Convention of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). They only enter into force after ratification by the National Congress and publication of the decree.
Colombia and the Dominican Republic need to be checked on a case-by-case basis: they are not on the official list of countries where the Ibero-American Convention is in force, but the INSS lists a liaison body for them. The official list may change; it was checked on 09/11/2026.
Other services
Moving countries, temporary work and countries without an agreement
Benefit transfer
Under bilateral agreements, a benefit maintained in Brazil can be transferred to be received abroad. The request is made before moving or taking an extended trip, at the Social Security Agency (Agência da Previdência Social) where the benefit is maintained.
Temporary posting
An employee or self-employed worker who goes to work for a period in a country with an agreement may obtain a Certificate of Coverage (Certificado de Deslocamento Temporário) and remain covered by Brazilian Social Security for the period set out in each agreement. The agreements with Canada, Italy and Mercosur do not provide for this certificate.
Country without an agreement
Without an agreement, time worked there does not automatically count towards the INSS. Brazilians living abroad can continue contributing to the INSS as voluntary contributors (segurado facultativo).
Decree 3.048/1999, art. 11, § 1º, X
How to apply
What to gather and what to ask
For the first conversation, it helps to have at hand:
- Official photo ID and CPF.
- CNIS statement, issued on Meu INSS.
- Proof of work in the other country: contracts, receipts and the statement from the local social security system.
- Entry and exit dates for each country.
Which benefits do the agreements cover?
The events covered are incapacity for work, work accidents and occupational diseases, length of service, old age and death. Not all benefits are included in every agreement: in general, those related to age, incapacity and death are covered, and each agreement may provide for others.
Source: INSS — international agreementsDo I need to return to Brazil to submit the application?
Not necessarily. The application (including for a Brazilian benefit) is submitted to the social security agency of the country where you live, which forwards it to Brazil. Those living in Brazil apply at Social Security Offices. The office assists clients online regardless of the country where they live.
Source: Ministry of Social Security — international agreementsCan the amount be less than the minimum wage?
Yes. In benefits granted through totalisation, the initial benefit paid by the INSS is proportional to the contribution period in Brazil and may be below the minimum wage. The other country pays its share according to its legislation and the agreement.
Decree 3.048/1999, art. 35, § 1ºI worked in a country without an agreement. Have I lost that time?
That time does not automatically add to your INSS record, but it may count within that country's own system under its local rules. For Brazil, those living abroad may continue contributing as voluntary insured members (segurado facultativo). The appropriate path depends on an assessment of the case.
Decree 3.048/1999, art. 11, § 1º, XDoes the agreement apply to my dependants?
The agreements secure the rights provided for in the legislation of both countries for workers and their legal dependants, according to each agreement — for example, in the case of a survivor's pension (pensão por morte).
Source: Ministry of Social Security — international agreementsIn-person and online consultations
Worked outside Brazil? Speak with the office
Andréa Agueda · OAB/SP 166.198 · Jundiaí/SP. Consultations by appointment from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Brasília time): online by video call across Brazil and abroad, or in person in Jundiaí.
Sources: Ministry of Social Security and INSS (gov.br) and Decree 3.048/1999, consulted on 09/11/2026. General information, without analysis of any specific case.