5 Facts You Should Know Before Relocating to Brazil

2016 sees the world’s best athletes arriving in Brazil to play in the largest sports competition in the world. Whilst many will only visit for the duration of the tournament, a few might be tempted to relocate to this beautiful South American country.

With this in mind, we’ve put together 5 facts that you should consider before relocating to Brazil:

1. The Cost of Living

Unfortunately, Brazil can be expensive. This 4 bedroom property in Rio de Janeiro is currently for sale for 4400000 BRL.

As the country has grown economically, the cost of living has significantly increased. Due to this cost, and the limited availability of suitable housing, most expats choose to rent a home in Brazil rather than buying a property. Property is in high demand, especially in inner city locations like São Paulo, Brasília or Belo Horizonte, and a 3 bed apartment in a city centre costs around £710 per month (2,656.38R$*). Rio de Janerio has the most expensive property market in South America with Ipanema and Leblon being the most fashionable neighbourhoods to live in. A flat in Rio de Janeiro could cost over £890 more per 1,000 sq ft to rent than a similar rental property in London – this could cost as much as £10,000 extra a year.

When relocating to Brazil, it is a good idea to transfer your currency with a professional foreign exchange company, such as FC Exchange – they could save you the cost of your move. 

Discover the 5 most expensive locations to live in Rio de Janeiro

2. Visas

There are 3 main types of Visas suitable for relocating to Brazil for any extended period of time:

Short Stay Business Visa
Valid for 90 days this is ideal for those looking to visit Brazil on business for a short time – perfect for conferences and those involved with work around the World Cup.

Temporary Residence Visa/Work Visa
Best for expats looking to live and work in Brazil. This visa can only be secured if you have a valid job offer from a Brazilian company or government department, or a foreign company based in Brazil. Individuals will also be required to apply for a Brazil Identification Card for foreigners (RNE) and a taxpayer ID number -a Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas (CPF)

Permanent Visa
Granted to business professionals, investors, retirees, those seeking citizenship, or those who are bound to Brazil through marriage and family (Unification).

Good International shipping companies, such as Bishop’s Move, will be happy to advise you on the visas and custom documents you will need to present to enter the country.

3. Language

Brazil is a culturally diverse nation with over 193 million inhabitants – making it the 5th largest country in the world. The main language spoken in Brazil is Portuguese, with Spanish also being quite common. English does tend to get used in the business world, but learning Portuguese before moving to Brazil is definitely beneficial to any working relationships, as well as in daily life.

Here are 3 great free apps that you can download to help get you started on your Portuguese journey:

4. Sport

Football (soccer) is the most widely participated sport in Brazil. The South American country is famous for producing world renowned footballers such as Pelé, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho to name but a few. Brazil has won the World Cup 5 times: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002. It also played host to the 2014 World Cup.

However, soccer is not the country’s only sporting interest – volleyball, martial arts, basketball, and Formula One also have a high level of popularity. Ayrton Senna, the F1 three-time title winner, is widely regarded as the best driver in Formula 1 history.

5. Culture

Brazilians are friendly people. Men will always shake hands, women will double-kiss and hugging is commonplace between friends and familiar business partners. Brazilians are always relaxed socially, with it being quite acceptable to be 30 minutes late for dinner. However, they always dress for the occasion and bring a gift if visiting another home.

In Brazil, especially Rio de Janeiro, you are never far aware from a party. The world famous carnival is normally the end of February/beginning of March and during this time there are free block parties in all parts of the city as well as competitive Sambadrome parades.