Flying private to Brazil: permits, paperwork and handling
Brazil requires foreign private and business aircraft to obtain authorization from ANAC / DECEA (Brazil) before landing or overflying. This guide covers what you need, how far in advance to ask, and which airports accept international arrivals, using live data from the i-Handler airport directory, sourced from the country AIP.
Authority: ANAC / DECEA (Brazil) · Reviewed: 2026-09-27
Permits: who issues them and when to apply
Landing and overflight permits for foreign civil aircraft are handled by ANAC / DECEA (Brazil). Foreign civil aircraft need electronic authorization processed through the DECEA systems before entering Brazilian airspace; start several business days ahead.
Reference the approved permit in your ICAO flight plan (item 18) and file the plan only once the permit is confirmed. Private non-revenue and charter (revenue) flights follow different tracks; charter requires additional commercial documentation, so start earlier.
Business aviation into Sao Paulo commonly uses Congonhas (SBSP, slot-restricted) or Campinas (SBKP) after clearing customs at an airport of entry. Portuguese is the working language on the ground; handlers bridge the gap.
Documents you will be asked for
Aircraft: certificate of airworthiness, certificate of registration, international insurance certificate with coverage valid for Brazil, and noise certificate.
Crew: pilot licenses and current medical certificates.
Passengers: passports (6 months validity is the safe standard) and a General Declaration (GENDEC) for arrival.
The i-Handler App generates the GENDEC, passenger manifests and the ICAO flight plan from your trip data, so the paperwork above is produced in minutes instead of retyped per flight.
Airports of entry
Brazil has the largest airport network in South America; major gateways include Sao Paulo Guarulhos (SBGR), Campinas (SBKP), Rio Galeao (SBGL), Brasilia (SBBR), Manaus (SBEG) and Recife (SBRF).
Plan your first landing at an airport of entry. Other fields may show customs in the AIP data, but use them as onward stops after clearing in, unless the authority authorizes otherwise. The live table below marks entry, customs, mandatory handling, slots and fuel per airport.
Brazil airports at a glance (live from the i-Handler directory)
| Airport | Entry | Customs | Handling | Slots | Fuel | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBBEBelem/Julio Cezar Ribeiro - Val De Cans Intl | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 4 |
| SBBRBrasilia/Pres Juscelino Kubitschek Intl | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | AVGAS JET | 10 |
| SBBVBoa Vista Intl | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 3 |
| SBCFBelo Horizonte/Tancredo Neves (Confins) | Yes | Yes | No | No | JET | 4 |
| SBCGCampo Grande International | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 2 |
| SBCRCorumba International | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 2 |
| SBCTCuritiba/Afonso Pena | Yes | Yes | Mandatory | Yes | JET ONLY | 6 |
| SBCYCuiaba/Marechal Rondon | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 3 |
| SBCZCruzeiro do Sul International | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 2 |
| SBEGManaus/Eduardo Gomes Intl | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 7 |
| SBFIFoz do Iguacu/Cataratas | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 2 |
| SBFLFlorianopolis/Hercilio Luz International | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | AVGAS JET | 5 |
| SBFZPinto Martins Internacional | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 7 |
| SBGLAntonio Carlos Jobim/Galeao/Rio De Janeiro Intl | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | JET ONLY | 11 |
| SBGRSao Paulo/Gov A F Montoro/Guarulhos Intl | Yes | Yes | Mandatory | Yes | JET ONLY | 13 |
| SBJPJoao Pessoa/Pres Castro Pinto | Yes | No | No | No | AVGAS JET | 2 |
| SBKPCampinas/Viracopos Intl | Yes | Yes | Mandatory | No | JET ONLY | 9 |
| SBMQMacapa Intl | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 2 |
| SBNFNavegantes - Itajai/Ministro Victor Konder Intl | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 4 |
| SBNTNatal/Augusto Severo | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 0 |
| SBPAPorto Alegre/Salgado Filho | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 3 |
| SBPKPelotas/Pelotas Intl-Bartolomeu de Gusmao | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 0 |
| SBPPPonta Pora Intl | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 0 |
| SBPSPorto Seguro | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 2 |
| SBPVGov. Jorge Teixeira de Oliveira Intl/Porto Velho | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 0 |
| SBRBRio Branco/Presidente Medici | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 1 |
| SBRFRecife International Guararapes-Gilberto Freyre | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 9 |
| SBSGSao Goncalo do Amarante Gov A Alves Natal Intl | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 1 |
| SBSLSao Luis/Marechal Cunha Machado | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 4 |
| SBSVDep Luis Eduardo Magalhaes/Intl De Salvador | Yes | Yes | Mandatory | No | AVGAS JET | 5 |
| SBTTTabatinga Intl | Yes | Yes | No | No | JET ONLY | 1 |
| SBUGUruguaiana/Rubem Berta International | Yes | Yes | No | No | AVGAS JET | 0 |
Live data from the i-Handler directory; each ICAO links to the airport page with contacts, frequencies and live METAR/TAF.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a landing permit for a private flight to Brazil?
Yes. Foreign private and business aircraft need authorization from ANAC / DECEA (Brazil). Foreign civil aircraft need electronic authorization processed through the DECEA systems before entering Brazilian airspace; start several business days ahead. The permit goes in item 18 of your ICAO flight plan.
Which airports in Brazil accept international arrivals?
Brazil has the largest airport network in South America; major gateways include Sao Paulo Guarulhos (SBGR), Campinas (SBKP), Rio Galeao (SBGL), Brasilia (SBBR), Manaus (SBEG) and Recife (SBRF). The table on this page shows entry, customs and handling status per airport, live from the i-Handler directory.
How do I find a handler or FBO in Brazil?
The i-Handler airport directory lists ground handlers and FBOs per airport with phone numbers, and pilots contact them by chat through the free i-Handler App.
What paperwork does a flight to Brazil require?
Aircraft certificates, insurance, crew licenses, passports and a General Declaration. The i-Handler App generates the GENDEC, manifests and ICAO flight plan automatically from your trip.
Do the paperwork once, not per flight
The free i-Handler App organizes the trip, generates the GENDEC, manifests and ICAO flight plan, and connects you by chat with the handlers and FBOs listed at your destination. Create your pilot account at i-handler.app.
Create your free pilot accountLast reviewed 2026-09-27 against operational sources. Requirements change: always confirm current rules with ANAC / DECEA (Brazil) or your handler before the flight. This page is operational guidance, not legal advice.