Brazil has the world’s third-largest Jewish diaspora — approximately 120,000 Jews, concentrated in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre and Recife — and the largest Catholic nation on earth, with around 125 million Catholics and 50 million evangelicals. The result is one of the world’s most significant Israel travel markets, driven by diaspora family visits, Catholic and evangelical Holy Land pilgrimages, and a growing segment of independent travellers drawn by culture, cuisine and the Red Sea. El Al’s direct São Paulo–Tel Aviv nonstop, combined with TAP and LATAM connections, makes Israel more accessible from Brazil than ever. This guide covers the essential practical information for Brazilian passport holders: ETA-IL entry, direct and connecting flights, the Catholic and evangelical pilgrimage circuit, currency and payments, voltage safety, and key contacts.
For the broader trip-planning picture, see the complete first-time visitor guide and the is Israel safe guide.
Entry requirements: ETA-IL for Brazilian passport holders
Brazilian citizens are on Israel’s visa-exempt list — you do not need a full embassy visa. However, since January 2025, all visa-exempt nationals (including Brazilians) must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA-IL) before travelling to Israel.
Applying for the ETA-IL
- Apply at: iaa.gov.il — the official Israeli Airports Authority portal
- Fee: ₪25 (approximately R$40–50 at recent exchange rates; fee is charged in shekels)
- Validity: 2 years, multiple entries
- Processing time: typically 72 hours to several days — apply at least one week before departure
- What you need: your passport number, date of birth and basic travel details — no supporting documents required for the ETA-IL itself
The ETA-IL is not a guarantee of entry. Israeli immigration officers at Ben Gurion Airport may ask about your travel purpose, accommodation details and return flight. Having your hotel booking confirmation and return ticket on your phone or printed is recommended.
On arrival at Ben Gurion Airport
Immigration queues at Ben Gurion can be long during peak periods — allow extra time. Israel generally does not stamp passports on entry; you receive a small paper entry card instead. Keep this card throughout your stay, as hotels and some checkpoints may ask for it.
For pilgrimage groups: travelling with a tour operator’s itinerary or an organisation’s letter of invitation helps at immigration alongside your passport and ETA-IL confirmation.
For full details, see the Israel visa information guide.
Flights from Brazil to Israel
Direct flights from São Paulo
El Al operates a direct nonstop service between São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) and Tel Aviv (TLV). Verify the current schedule, frequency and departure days at elal.com before booking, as operations vary by season. The direct flight takes approximately 11 hours.
Connecting routes
| Route | Carrier | Approximate Total Time |
|---|
| GRU → LIS → TLV | TAP Portugal | ~16 hours |
| GRU → MAD → TLV | LATAM Airlines / Iberia | ~16–18 hours |
| GIG (Rio) → MAD → TLV | LATAM Airlines / Iberia | ~18–20 hours |
| GRU → IST → TLV | Turkish Airlines | ~16–18 hours |
| GRU → LHR/CDG → TLV | British Airways / Air France | ~17–19 hours |
TAP Portugal via Lisbon is a popular choice — Lisbon Airport (LIS) is a compact hub and the connection is typically smoother than larger hubs for Brazil–Israel routing. LATAM via Madrid suits travellers from cities with strong Madrid connections.
When to book
Peak pricing periods for Brazil–Israel travel align with Israel’s Jewish holidays and summer: Passover (March–April), the Jewish High Holidays / Sukkot / Simchat Torah period (September–October), and July–August. Book 2–3 months ahead for direct El Al availability. See the cheap flights to Israel guide for fare-comparison tools.
Catholic pilgrimage for Brazilian travellers
Brazil is the world’s largest Catholic nation, and organised Holy Land pilgrimages are one of the most established Brazilian travel markets. Tour operators including CVC, Schultz Turismo, Abreu, and diocesan organisations throughout Brazil run regular group pilgrimages to Israel and the Palestinian Authority territories. The Holy Land contains the most significant sites in Catholic tradition, compressible into a 7–12 day trip.
The core Holy Land pilgrimage circuit
Jerusalem:
- Via Dolorosa (14 Stations of the Cross) — the route through the Muslim Quarter to Golgotha; Franciscan friars lead a public procession every Friday; see the Via Dolorosa guide for all 14 stations
- Church of the Holy Sepulchre — site of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection according to Catholic tradition; no entry fee; arrive before 8am or after 5pm to avoid peak crowds
- Garden of Gethsemane — ancient olive grove where Jesus prayed before his arrest; the Church of All Nations stands adjacent
- Mount of Olives — panoramic view over the Old City; Church of the Pater Noster (Lord’s Prayer in 140+ languages); Dominus Flevit chapel
- Yad Vashem — Holocaust Memorial Museum; free entry; the Children’s Memorial is particularly moving and is widely included in pilgrimage itineraries
Galilee Region — Nazareth:
- Basilica of the Annunciation — the largest church in the Middle East, built over the site where the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary; the lower church contains international Marian art panels donated by countries worldwide, including a Brazilian panel
- Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes (Tabgha) — 5th-century mosaic floor on the shore of the Sea of Galilee
- Church of the Beatitudes — hilltop chapel at the traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount, with panoramic Sea of Galilee views
- Capernaum — ruins of the village where Jesus based his Galilean ministry
Sea of Galilee:
- Boat tours operate from Tiberias and Ginosar; during the crossing, guides read the calming-of-the-storm passage; pre-book through your tour operator
Jordan River — Yardenit Baptism Site:
- Most popular baptism renewal site in Israel, at the southern outflow of the Sea of Galilee
- White robes available for hire; changing facilities, lockers and a bookshop on site
- Pilgrims may renew baptismal vows or receive full immersion
Bethlehem (West Bank):
- Church of the Nativity — birthplace of Jesus; UNESCO World Heritage Site; located in the Palestinian Authority (~10 km south of Jerusalem); bring your passport for the checkpoint crossing
- The checkpoint at Rachel’s Crossing (Checkpoint 300) is straightforward for international tourists with valid passports and a return flight
Practical pilgrimage tips for Brazilian groups
- Modest dress is required at all churches, the Western Wall and religious sites — covered shoulders and knees for everyone
- Group tours are strongly recommended for Brazilian pilgrims who prefer Portuguese-language interpretation; some Israeli operators and Brazilian-origin tour leaders offer Portuguese-guided Holy Land programs
- Timing: avoid the peak weeks of Israeli holidays (Passover March–April; Jewish High Holidays September–October) for easier site access; Holy Week/Easter can be especially crowded
- For individual travellers not on an organised tour, GetYourGuide offers guided Holy Land day tours with English-speaking licensed Israeli guides from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv
See the full Christian pilgrimage guide for site-by-site logistics.
Evangelical pilgrimage for Brazilian travellers
Brazil has approximately 50 million evangelicals — among the world’s largest evangelical communities — concentrated in the neo-Pentecostal movements (IURD Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus, Assembleia de Deus, Sara Nossa Terra) and Pentecostal churches across the country. Israeli connections feature prominently in evangelical theology, and organised evangelical Israel tours are offered by Brazilian churches and operators.
Key sites for evangelical pilgrims
- Western Wall (Kotel) — the holiest accessible site in Judaism; evangelical groups frequently gather here for prayer; respectful silence and modest dress required; men and women enter through separate sections
- Mount of Beatitudes — traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount
- Capernaum and the Sea of Galilee — sites of Jesus’s Galilean ministry central to evangelical theological emphasis
- Masada — the desert fortress associated with Jewish resilience; popular with Israeli nationalist theology that resonates with some evangelical communities
- Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea — Dead Sea flotation plus the biblical landscape of the Judean Desert
Evangelical pilgrimage groups should contact their church’s international travel coordinator or inquire with licensed Israeli Ministry of Tourism guides who specialise in evangelical tour programs.
Jewish heritage for Brazilian visitors
Brazil’s Jewish community — approximately 120,000 people, making it the world’s third-largest Jewish diaspora — has deep roots in São Paulo (Bom Retiro neighbourhood), Rio de Janeiro (Ipanema, Leblon), Porto Alegre and Recife. Many Brazilian Jews maintain family connections in Israel and travel for family visits, lifecycle events and cultural ties.
Key Jewish heritage destinations in Israel:
- Yad Vashem — the World Holocaust Remembrance Center; the archives contain records of thousands of Jewish families including those with Brazilian-South American connections; free admission; the permanent exhibition takes 2–3 hours
- Tel Aviv’s Florentin neighbourhood — Tel Aviv has a vibrant Brazilian-Israeli community; the Florentin area in south Tel Aviv has Brazilian-style bakeries, lanchonetes and Portuguese-speaking regulars; a genuine point of cultural connection for Brazilian Jewish visitors
- Ben Gurion Heritage Institute (Sde Boker) — final resting place of Israel’s founding Prime Minister; relevant to visitors interested in Israeli history
See the Jewish heritage Israel guide for a broader overview of diaspora heritage destinations.
Payments and banking
Pix, TED and Boleto do NOT work in Israel. Brazilian digital payment systems are not supported by Israeli payment infrastructure.
What works in Israel
| Method | Works? | Notes |
|---|
| Visa / Mastercard (Itaú, Bradesco, Caixa, BB, Santander, Nubank) | ✓ Yes | Widely accepted; inform your bank before travel |
| Apple Pay / Google Pay (linked to Visa or Mastercard) | ✓ Yes | Works on NFC-enabled terminals |
| Pix / TED / Boleto | ✗ No | Not supported in Israel |
| Brazilian Real (BRL) cash | ✗ No | BRL cannot be exchanged in Israel |
Cash tips
- Withdraw New Israeli Shekel (₪) from Israeli ATMs using your Visa or Mastercard — select “charge in local currency (NIS)” to avoid dynamic currency conversion fees
- Carry approximately ₪200–400 in cash for markets, street food, sheruts (shared taxis) and small shops
- BRL cannot be exchanged in Israel. Convert to US dollars or euros before departure in Brazil, or withdraw NIS directly from Israeli ATMs on arrival
- Nubank and other Brazilian digital-first banks with international Visa or Mastercard cards work at Israeli ATMs and terminals
Voltage and power adapters — CRITICAL for São Paulo and Rio travellers
Brazil has two different voltage standards, which makes this section important for Israeli travel:
| Your Brazilian city | Standard voltage | Israel (230V) |
|---|
| São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, Brasília, Goiânia, Belém, Florianópolis, Porto Alegre | 127V (110V) | You need a voltage converter for any non-dual-voltage appliances |
| Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Manaus, Recife, Salvador, Natal, São Luís, Maceió, João Pessoa | 220V | You need only a plug adapter for 220V or dual-voltage devices |
Plug adapter needed by all: Israel uses Type H sockets (three flat pins at an angle, unique to Israel). Brazilian plugs (Type N / Type A / Type C on older fittings) do not fit Israeli sockets. You need a Type H adapter regardless of your voltage situation.
Dual-voltage devices (no converter needed): Most modern smartphone chargers, laptop power supplies, tablet chargers and camera chargers are marked “100–240V, 50/60Hz” on the label. These need only the plug adapter — the device handles any voltage automatically.
Single-voltage 127V devices: Hair dryers, hair straighteners, electric shavers and similar appliances from the São Paulo / Rio market are often rated for 127V only. Do NOT plug these into Israeli 230V sockets without a voltage converter — doing so can damage or destroy the appliance and may be a fire hazard.
Our recommendation: buy a compact universal voltage converter (110V/220V to 230V) and a Type H plug adapter in Brazil before departure — both are considerably cheaper than the adapters available at Ben Gurion Airport.
Health insurance
Brazilian public health coverage (SUS — Sistema Único de Saúde) does not apply outside Brazil. Brazilian private health plans (Unimed, Bradesco Saúde, SulAmérica, Amil and others) do not include international coverage unless you specifically purchased an international travel plan. Medical costs for uninsured tourists in Israel can be significant.
Take out an international travel insurance policy before departure. Confirm that Israel is explicitly listed as a covered destination in the policy wording.
International providers with Israel coverage widely used by Brazilian travellers: SafetyWing Nomad Insurance, World Nomads, AXA Travel, Allianz Travel. Brazilian insurers offering international travel plans: Porto Seguro Viagem, Mapfre Assistance, Assist Card — verify Israel coverage before purchasing.
Mobile connectivity
Brazilian SIM cards (Claro, Vivo, TIM, Oi) work in Israel on roaming. Roaming rates vary — check your carrier’s international roaming packs before departure.
Better options for connectivity in Israel:
- Israeli tourist SIM — available at Ben Gurion Airport arrivals hall from Golan Telecom and Hot Mobile kiosks (typically open around the clock). A 30-day unlimited-data SIM costs approximately ₪50–90; your Brazilian phone must be SIM-unlocked to use it
- eSIM — providers such as Airalo, Nomad and Holafly offer Israel data eSIMs; activate before leaving Brazil on compatible handsets (iPhone XS or later, many Android devices)
Embassy of Israel in Brazil (São Paulo)
Av. Paulista — verify the current address and consular hours at embassies.gov.il/saopaulosao before travel.
Israeli Consulate-General in Rio de Janeiro
Verify the current address at embassies.gov.il before travel, as consular details are subject to change.
Brazilian Embassy in Israel (Tel Aviv)
Verify the current address and opening hours at itamaraty.gov.br before travel.
Emergency consular line for Brazilian nationals: contact the Brazilian Embassy Tel Aviv — verify current number at the Embassy website.
Quick reference for Brazilian travellers
| Item | Detail |
|---|
| Entry requirement | ETA-IL required (not a full visa); apply at iaa.gov.il; ₪25 (~R$40–50); apply at least 1 week ahead; 2-year multi-entry |
| Direct flight | El Al GRU→TLV direct (~11h); verify schedule at elal.com — days of operation vary by season |
| Via connection | TAP via Lisbon (~16h); LATAM via Madrid (~16–18h); Turkish via Istanbul (~16–18h) |
| Currency | New Israeli Shekel (₪); BRL cannot be exchanged in Israel — bring USD/EUR or withdraw NIS at Israeli ATMs |
| Payments | Visa / Mastercard — Pix, TED and Boleto not accepted |
| Power | Type H socket; 230V — São Paulo/Rio travellers with 127V appliances need a voltage converter |
| Health insurance | SUS and most Brazilian private plans not valid abroad; purchase travel insurance with Israel coverage |
| Mobile data | Israeli SIM (₪50–90) or eSIM recommended; Claro/Vivo/TIM roaming available but check rates |
| Safety advisory | Check Itamaraty (itamaraty.gov.br) travel advisory before booking and before departure |
| Emergency numbers | 100 (police), 101 (ambulance / MDA), 102 (fire), 112 (national emergency) |
| Brazilian Embassy in Israel | Embassy of Brazil Tel Aviv — verify current address at itamaraty.gov.br |
Planning your Israel trip from Brazil
A 10–12 day itinerary covers the main pilgrimage and sightseeing circuit comfortably: 3 nights Jerusalem (Old City, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Garden of Gethsemane, Yad Vashem, Mount of Olives); a Galilee day or overnight (Nazareth Basilica of the Annunciation, Sea of Galilee boat tour, Yardenit Jordan River, Capernaum); a Bethlehem morning (Church of the Nativity, Manger Square checkpoint crossing); 1–2 nights Tel Aviv (Jaffa Old City, Mediterranean beaches, the Brazilian-Israeli community in Florentin, Carmel Market); and optionally a Dead Sea morning (flotation; Ein Gedi). For the Jewish community angle, add Yad Vashem (half a day; free) and a visit to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art or ANU Museum of the Jewish People (previously Beit Hatfutsot, significantly expanded).
The 5 vs 7 vs 10 days guide helps calibrate the right trip length. For pilgrimage sites in depth, see the Christian pilgrimage Holy Land guide. For budget guidance, see the Israel cost and budget guide. For airport arrival logistics, see the Ben Gurion Airport guide. For the latest safety assessment, see the is Israel safe guide.
