The European Union and Brazil formalised their Digital Partnership in Brasília, representing a significant enhancement of their digital collaboration. This partnership builds on more than two decades of successful cooperation. It is designed to strengthen joint efforts on vital digital priorities, including data governance, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and connectivity, online platforms, and digital public goods and services.
Digital Partnerships are a fundamental element of the EU’s external digital policy, enabling structured collaboration with like-minded nations on shared objectives. The agreement was signed on 12 June by Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, and Alex Giacomelli da Silva, Brazil’s Secretary for Trade Promotion, Science, Technology, Innovation, and Culture.
Additionally, following the establishment of the Digital Partnership, an administrative agreement was signed between the Commission’s services and Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Proteção de Dados to enhance cooperation concerning the protection of minors in online environments.
“The European Union and Brazil are long-standing strategic partners, united by shared values and a common vision for the digital future. This Digital Partnership marks a decisive step forward in our cooperation, enabling us to deepen collaboration on key digital priorities and shape a human-centric and inclusive digital transformation together,” highlighted Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy.
Through this partnership, the EU and Brazil aim to intensify their collective efforts to foster efficient and resilient global supply chains while contributing to an inclusive, rules-based system of global digital governance. Both parties are committed to ensuring that the advantages of technological advancement are distributed more equitably worldwide.
In January 2026, the European Commission and Brazil officially adopted mutual adequacy decisions, recognising that their data protection systems are comparable. This acknowledgement of robust data protection standards ensures that businesses, public authorities, and researchers can securely exchange data between the EU and Brazil without incurring additional obligations.
Digital cooperation has long been a cornerstone of the EU-Brazil Strategic Partnership, with the EU-Brazil Digital Dialogue serving as its foundation. Through this dialogue, both parties have enhanced their exchanges across critical priority areas and have diligently worked to promote digital development and inclusion while safeguarding digital sovereignty, democratic principles, and human rights.
The implementation of the Digital Partnership will take place through regular high-level exchanges and dedicated technical workstreams. The inaugural meeting of the Digital Partnership Council is anticipated within the next 12 months, where it will provide strategic direction and endorse a collaborative roadmap for future cooperation.
