Brazil

Nationals of certain countries that have an agreement with Brazil may visit for up to 90 days visa-free, while others will need to apply for a tourist visa, also valid for 90 days. This can be done online, although an in-person visit to one’s local Brazilian embassy or consulate may also be required as part of the application process.

To take up employment in Brazil, expats must apply for a work permit and a temporary or permanent residence permit. A job offer is needed in order to start the work permit application process.[1]

[1] https://cglondres.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us/visas_to_brazil.xml

There’s a wide variety of accommodation to choose from in Brazil, with the most popular among expats being in the form of apartments, condominiums or gated housing communities. While it’s possible for foreigners to buy property in Brazil, most expats choose to rent. The standard of housing is generally good, though rental costs can be expensive, especially in large cities.

Expats can find accommodation by making use of a real estate agent, or through other channels such as word of mouth, online property portals and local newspapers. It’s important that expats do some research regarding which suburbs are safe, as some areas have a high crime rate. Real estate agents, locals or online expat forums can be a good source for this kind of information.

Accommodation is often rented unfurnished, with even basics such as light fittings and kitchen appliances being absent.[2] Most rental contracts are for 18 months or longer, with the usual deposit being two to three months’ worth of rent. The cost of utilities, such as water and electricity, is typically borne by the tenant.[3]

[2] https://www.expatarrivals.com/americas/brazil/accommodation-brazil

[3] https://transferwise.com/us/blog/renting-process-in-brazil-guide

Public education in Brazil faces many challenges, from high drop-out rates to relatively low levels of functional literacy throughout the country, despite education being free and compulsory from the ages of six to 14. This is largely the result of inadequate funding to public schools, which vary greatly in quality of education. In addition, public schools teach only in Portuguese, so most expats prefer to send their children to private or international schools instead.[4]

International schools teach foreign curricula, usually in the language associated with the country of origin. Some of the most popular curricula taught by international schools in Brazil include that of the UK, US and the International Baccalaureate. Standards of education in these schools are generally high but fees can be expensive. The cities of Brasília, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have the largest concentrations of international schools, but there are a few other international schools scattered throughout the country.

A less expensive alternative is bilingual private schools, which offer the Brazilian curriculum in both Portuguese and a foreign language such as English, French, or German.[5]

[4] https://www.brazil.org.za/brazil-education.html

[5] https://www.expatarrivals.com/americas/brazil/education-and-schools-brazil

Owing to its large size, the climate throughout Brazil is varied, covering six climactic zones. Coastal cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Salvador are warm throughout the year with temperatures only rarely falling below 68°F (20°C). Inland areas on the plateau are a little cooler, with cities like Brasília and São Paulo having mild climates in comparison to the coast.[6] Brazil’s rainforests, covering 60% of the country, are consistently hot and humid, experiencing rainfall throughout the year.[7]

[6] https://www.climatestotravel.com/climate/brazil

[7] https://www.brazil.org.za/rainforests-of-brazil.html

The official language of Brazil is Portuguese, and for many Brazilians the language is closely interwoven with their sense of national and personal identity. Only a small percentage of the country’s population is able to speak even basic English, so it’s essential that expats learn some Portuguese, particularly if living outside of major tourist cities.[9]

[9] https://monitor.icef.com/2015/08/the-brazilian-market-for-english-language-learning/

Food is a central part of life in Brazil and mealtimes are valued as a chance to catch up with family and friends. Lunch is the main meal of the day, and while expats will easily be able to find familiar Western dishes and ingredients in their new home, it would be a shame to neglect exploring local Brazilian cuisine.

Beans, rice and meat are staples, all of which are masterfully combined in the national dish, feijoada – a rich bean stew served with pork and rice. Root vegetables and tropical fruit also feature prominently in local cuisine, and the country’s long coastline offers an abundance of seafood, often served in the form of stews.[10]

On the whole, eating out in Brazil is surprisingly affordable. Expats will be spoilt for choice, with options from renowned fine-dining restaurants to tempting street food stalls. Diners will be able to easily find both local fare and international favorites.

[10] https://thefoodiebugle.com/brazilian-food-and-customs/

Brazil’s warm climate and dazzling beaches offer the perfect backdrop for enjoying an icy beer or cocktail. The national liquor is cachaça, a rum-like sugarcane spirit that’s the main ingredient in the infamous caipirinha cocktail. Alcohol is a regular part of mealtime in Brazil, and it’s not unusual for all family members to enjoy a glass of wine with lunch or dinner. After-work drinks are also a frequent pastime and are a good opportunity for getting to know one’s coworkers.[11]

[11] https://www.visaexpress.net/brazil/food_drink.htm

Brazil has nine compulsory national holidays as well as a few regional or optional public holidays that employers can choose to give to employees. [12] The national holidays are as follows:

New Year’s Day – 1 January

Good Friday – March/April

Tiradentes Day – 21 April

Labor Day – 1 May

Independence Day – 7 September

Our Lady of Aparecida – 12 October

All Souls’ Day – 2 November

Republic Day – 15 November

Christmas Day – 25 December

[12] https://www.officeholidays.com/countries/brazil

Landline usage in Brazil is declining, with mobile phone usage on the rise. The four major mobile operators are Vivo, TIM, Claro and Oi. Both prepaid and postpaid options are available, with prepaid plans being the easiest and most popular way to connect to a network.[14]

[14] https://thebrazilbusiness.com/article/getting-a-mobile-phone-in-brazil

The largest internet market in South America, Brazil has around 140 million internet users. There’s good coverage in the major cities, particularly in the southern and central regions of the country, with home broadband easily available and an increasing number of public WiFi hotspots. The rural areas in the north aren’t as well covered, but it’s possible to access the internet via satellite.[15]

[15] https://www.statista.com/topics/2045/internet-usage-in-brazil/

Correios is the national postal service, which is largely considered to be fast and reliable. For important documents or parcels, some expats prefer to use private courier companies such as DHL and FedEx.

In the early 2000s, Brazil was one of the fastest growing economies globally, but during the worldwide recession, growth slowed significantly. Today, the Brazilian economy has recovered to some extent but work opportunities are scarcer than before, and there’s more competition for positions.

That said, Brazil remains one of the world’s top economies, with much of its income stemming from mining, agriculture and manufacturing.[16] Expats may also be able to find work in sectors with skill shortages, such as construction, IT and finance.[17]

[16] https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/br.html

[17] https://www.expatarrivals.com/americas/brazil/working-brazil

Income tax in Brazil is charged at a progressive rate from 0 to 27.5%. Those who are classified as residents for tax purposes pay tax on their worldwide income, while those not considered tax residents only pay tax on locally derived income. In Brazil, a resident for tax purposes is someone who holds a permanent visa; holds a temporary visa and has a local job; or holds a temporary visa with no local job, but is in the country for 183 days or more out of every year.[18]

[18] https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2011/12/brazil-income-tax.html

Thanks to its balmy weather, stable economy and some of the smaller cities’ relatively low cost of living, Brazil is a popular retirement destination. Expats over the age of 60 with a regular source of income are eligible to apply for a permanent visa for retirement.[19]

[19] https://www.insidermonkey.com/blog/10-best-places-to-retire-in-brazil-588783/

As a large country with many different cultures, business etiquette can vary throughout Brazil. However, some principles of doing good business can be broadly applied.

Brazil is largely a family-oriented society, and it follows that personal relationships are extremely important in doing business. For example, knowing the right people can make it much easier to get a foot in the door. Having secured a meeting, be prepared to spend some time getting to know Brazilian associates on both a personal and professional level. The structure of businesses in the country is often hierarchical, with the most senior person making the final decisions.[20]

Appearance is important in Brazil, so expats should present themselves well, opting for clothing that is stylish yet conservative. A handshake is the customary greeting, though there may be some back slapping between men, and eye contact should be maintained. Time is somewhat flexible in Brazil so it’s possible that local associates will arrive late for meetings. This shouldn’t be seen as a sign of disrespect, although expats themselves should always be on time.[21]

[20] https://www.communicaid.com/country/brazil/

[21] https://www.todaytranslations.com/consultancy-services/business-culture-and-etiquette/doing-business-in-brazil/

Owing to its large size, getting around in Brazil is not always easy, particularly if intending to travel to rural areas. If traveling across the country, a bus can be a surprisingly comfortable way to travel, but the journey may be long. Another faster option is to go by plane. Sometimes boats are the only way to get somewhere, if needing to cross the Amazon River.[22]

Within major cities, traffic can be intense, drivers unpredictable and parking spaces few and far between – so it’s always a good idea to explore alternative modes of local transport if possible. Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo both have good metro systems, but in cities without a metro, taxis or buses are usually good alternatives.[23]

[22] https://wikitravel.org/en/Brazil#Get_around

[23] https://www.expatarrivals.com/americas/brazil/transport-and-driving-brazil

The official currency of Brazil is the real (BRL), divided into 100 centavos. Money is available in the following denominations.

• Coins: 5, 10, 25, 50 centavos and 1 BRL
• Notes: 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 BRL

Brazil’s well-developed banking system makes it easy to manage one’s money in theory, although practical matters can complicate the process. Service in local banks is generally good, but there may be a language barrier to contend with, so it might be useful to bring along a friend to translate. Many banks also offer online banking services, but again, these are usually only available in Portuguese.

International banks such as HSBC and Santander have a presence in Brazil, alongside local banks such as Banco do Brasil, Caixa Econômica Federal, Itaú Unibanco and Banco Bradesco.

To open a bank account, expats will need their resident visa, passport and CPF (tax ID number), as well as proof of address and income.

ATMs are widely available in cities, but expats should be aware that not all will necessarily accept foreign cards. Note that the government attaches a percentage charge to almost all transactions. When in the more rural parts of the country, it may be necessary to use cash.[24]

[24] https://www.expatarrivals.com/americas/brazil/banking-money-and-taxes-brazil

The cost of living in Brazil tends to vary from city to city, with the cost of living in Sao Paulo being comparable to that of London. It’s also somewhat expensive to live in Rio de Janeiro, though it’s significantly cheaper than Sao Paulo.[25]

The main expense for those living in Brazil is likely to be accommodation, though cleaning and other home maintenance services are generally inexpensive. Expats sending their children to an international school should ensure their budget can accommodate the hefty school fees charged.

Grocery bills can be high, but shopping in local markets for regionally produced goods can bring the cost down. Though imported items are easily available, they can be expensive.[26]

[25] https://mobilityexchange.mercer.com/Portals/0/Content/Rankings/rankings/col2017a986532/index.html

[26] https://www.expatarrivals.com/americas/brazil/cost-living-brazil