Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has not only triggered a mass exodus of its citizens but also reshaped how some families plan their futures. A growing number of Russian women are choosing to give birth abroad, not merely for better healthcare but to secure a second passport for their newborns—a strategy that has become known as "birth tourism."
The motivation is clear: many parents do not want their children tied to a country that launched a war and faces increasing international isolation. A foreign birth certificate can open doors to education, work, and travel across the globe, and for the whole family, it may serve as a stepping stone to emigration.
Countries that grant citizenship based on jus soli—the right of the soil—have become prime destinations. Under this principle, any child born on national territory automatically acquires citizenship, regardless of the parents' status. This has made nations like Argentina and Brazil particularly attractive.
Argentina: A once-open door begins to close
After 2022, Argentina emerged as the top choice for Russian families. It offered a combination that was hard to beat: visa-free entry for Russians, relatively affordable private healthcare, automatic citizenship for the newborn, and a clear path for parents to obtain residency and eventually citizenship.
The appeal went beyond the child's passport. A newborn Argentine citizen was entitled to state social programmes and child benefits. Parents could apply for permanent residency, which allowed them to live and work legally, run businesses, and later naturalise. Family reunification provisions meant that other relatives could also gain legal status over time.
The Argentine passport itself was a significant asset, granting visa-free access to many countries. Crucially, Russians were not required to renounce their own citizenship, and Argentina has no compulsory military service—a factor that resonated with families wary of future conscription.
Birth tourism agencies capitalised on this, marketing comprehensive packages that promised not just a safe delivery but a complete emigration solution. They handled paperwork, residency applications, and even citizenship processes, often advertising the birth as the fastest route to a second passport.
According to Argentine authorities, around 10,500 pregnant Russian women arrived in 2022 alone. Many came shortly before giving birth and left soon after securing their child's documents. Estimates suggest that nearly 7,000 of these women departed almost immediately.
The influx did not go unnoticed. By mid-2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that roughly 75,000 Russians had moved to Argentina since the war began, with several Buenos Aires neighbourhoods earning the nickname "Little Russia." Concerns about abuse of the immigration system grew, and authorities launched investigations into agencies that appeared to be exploiting the rules.
When President Javier Milei took office, the rules were significantly tightened. Parents can no longer use a child's birth as a fast track to their own citizenship. Naturalisation now requires at least two years of legal residence. Access to free healthcare for undocumented foreigners was restricted, and additional entry requirements were introduced.
The impact was swift: while Russians submitted more than 7,000 residence permit applications in Argentina in 2023, by mid-2025 that number had plummeted to fewer than 2,000.
Brazil: The new magnet for Russian families
As the Argentine route closed, attention shifted to Brazil. According to Deutsche Welle, the number of Russians travelling to Brazil increased significantly after Argentina's policy change. Brazil's passport is among the world's most powerful, offering visa-free access to 161 countries, including the Schengen Area and the United Kingdom, and allowing holders to apply for a US visa valid for up to ten years.
A child born in Brazil automatically receives Brazilian citizenship and a birth certificate. The child can also obtain Russian citizenship through the consulate, holding two passports. Older children in the family can acquire Brazilian citizenship through a simplified procedure, making Brazil an attractive alternative for families with multiple children.
This shift in birth tourism is part of a broader pattern of Russian emigration since the war began. Many of those leaving are educated professionals and families with resources, seeking to escape the political and economic consequences of the conflict. The trend also reflects the growing difficulty of living in a country increasingly isolated from the West, as EU sanctions and other measures continue to target Russian interests.
For European observers, the phenomenon underscores the human cost of the war, not only for Ukrainians but also for Russians who oppose the Kremlin's actions. It also highlights the complex migration dynamics that the conflict has unleashed across the continent and beyond. As countries like Argentina tighten their rules, the search for a safe haven continues, with Brazil now emerging as the preferred destination for those seeking to give their children a different future.
