To everyone’s delight, Brazil has launched their new digital nomad visa in February 2022! Remote workers worldwide will have a chance to live and work remotely from this beautiful South American country.
Known for its beaches, exciting nightlife, carnivals, rain forest and great food, Brazil is an excellent fit for digital nomads looking to feed their souls with wonder. With the digital nomad visa, it has never been easier to enter and stay long-term in Brazil. Is this what you are looking for? Then this guide will enrich you with important information about relocating to Brazil, like the visa requirements and taxes, the best cities to live, safety, cost of living and remote workers’ favorite spots in Brazil!
Brazil remote working and digital nomad visa
Getting a digital nomad visa is the first step if you are looking for ways to relocate to Brazil as a remote worker. The new visa makes the process easy and straightforward. The visa is marketed towards foreign nationals who wish to live and work remotely in Brazil for up to 2 years.
This visa will attract even more remote workers to the country, developing the country’s economy and enriching the culture. Learn how to be part of the movement.
Who can apply for the digital nomad visa in Brazil?
To be able to apply for the visa, foreign nationals need to:
- Have a minimum monthly salary of $1,500 or at least $18,000 in a bank account.
- Private medical insurance in Brazil.
- Proof of a clean criminal record.
- Present an employment or service contract signed by a foreign employer or contractor.
How to apply for the digital nomad visa in Brazil
The process of obtaining the digital nomad visa is slightly different since it can be done in two ways – Either through a consulate in the applicant’s home country or in-country, in person in Brazil (check if citizens from your home country need an entry visa).
It takes the government up to 4 weeks to review the application and conclude its decision in both cases.
The application form completed (filled in) online is valid for three months.
What are the required documents for the digital nomad visa in Brazil?
If you are eligible to apply for the visa, it is time to gather documents for applying for the digital nomad visa in Brazil.
Apart from the mentioned requirements, there are other documents the applicant needs to apply. As per the official government website in Brazil, the records required are:
- Original Passport (valid for at least six months, counting from entry date). The passport must have at least two blank visa pages. Please note that the amendment pages are not intended for visas.
- Application form (RER), completed and signed.
- Round-trip ticket, booked itinerary (reservation) or letter from a travel agent under applicant’s name, complete itinerary, flight number, arrival/departure dates, and reservation code provided by the airline company.
- Health insurance is valid in Brazil;
- Police clearance (not older than six months)
- Notarized letter from the employer or sponsoring company, clearly stating the applicant’s qualification, the precise nature of business, and salary and the applicant’s request to work remotely from Brazil;
- A letter signed by the applicant stating that they can work remotely through information technology channels;
- The original contract of employment or services agreement;
- Stamped bank statements for the past three months;
- All relevant documents must be notarized!
When the application is approved, and no later than one month after entering Brazil, the applicant can apply for a residence permit through the General Coordinator of Labor Immigration.
Brazil’s digital nomad visa and taxes for remote workers
Each remote worker must know and abide by the taxation laws in the country they are working from and living in. The trouble comes when the taxation obligations and regulations are not adequately defined. Unknowingly, the individual might put themselves in situations that require them to pay fees and penalties, sometimes even be prohibited from working in the country in the future.
For tax non-residents, as long as they work in the US, for example, with a contract, receiving money in the US, Brazilian law does not enter the equation, except Brazilian tax law, which requires the declaration of foreign income. Only in the case of revenue from Brazil, tax fees of 25% on earned income and 15% on unearned income are paid. Those individuals do not have to file an annual tax return.
Tax residents (people who stayed longer than 183 days in the country) are subject to federal income tax. Brazilian income tax rates for individuals are progressive and range from 7.5% to 27.5% for those liable to taxation. The minimum and maximum of each tax rate level are subject to changes each year.
To conclude, the individual working physically from Brazil is irrelevant as long as foreign income is declared and taxed. Taxes depend on whether the person is a tax resident or a non-resident.
What about the expenses in Brazil? It is well worth considering the cost of living in Brazil since it offers some pleasant surprises!
Brazil’s average salary and cost of living
A single person’s estimated monthly expenses are R$ 2,403.00 (Brazilian real – BRL) or $515.00 without the rent expenses. Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center can range from R$ 850.00 to R$ 2,500.00, making it an average of $R 1,400.00, equivalent to $300 per month.
When it comes to dining in restaurants, the low prices trend continues. A meal in an inexpensive restaurant is only R$ 25.00 or $5.30 on average. For two people, having a three-course dinner in a mid-range restaurant will cost R$ 120.00 or $25.00 on average.
One American dollar (USD) equals 5.27 Brazilian real (BRL). One euro (EUR) equals 5.16 Brazilian real (BRL).
Remote IT jobs to work from Brazil.
By the way… if you work in the IT field, you can apply to be an independent contractor with our IT outsourcing company. We always have remote IT jobs for MSPs available!
Take a look at the average prices in groceries across Brazil as well (according to numbeo):
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) 4.22 R$ – 0.90 $ |
| Fresh White Bread (500g) 6.69 R$ – 1.50 $ |
| Rice (white), (1kg) 5.86 R$ – 1.26 $ |
| Eggs (regular) (12) 8.71 R$ – 1.87 $ |
| Local Cheese (1kg) 38.41 R$ – 8.24 $ |
| Chicken Filets (1kg) 18.55 R$ – 3.98 $ |
| Beef Round (1kg) 39.93 R$ – 8.57 $ |
| Apples (1kg) 7.14 R$ – 1.53 $ |
| Banana (1kg) 5.09 R$ – 1.09 $ |
| Oranges (1kg) 4.41 R$ – 0.95 $ |
| Tomato (1kg) 7.79 R$ – 1.67 $ |
| Potato (1kg) 4.55 R$ – 0.98 $ |
| Onion (1kg) 4.33 R$ – 0.93 $ |
| Lettuce (1 head) 2.98 R$ – 0.64 $ |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) 3.06 R$ – 0.66 $ |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 35.00 R$ – 7.51 $ |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 l) 5.73 R$ – 1.23 $ |
| Imported Beer (0.33 l) 11.85 R$ – 2.54 $ |
| Cigarettes Pack (Marlboro) 11.50 R$ – 2.47 $ |
According to numbeo, the average monthly net salary in Brazil is 1,968.15 R$, equivalent to $ 423.00 or EUR 384.00.
The monthly expenses vary depending on the part of the country, city, or the kind of lifestyle one is leading. Different cities offer different opportunities and unique beats; find the one you like the most!
Best cities to live in Brazil for foreigners
Brazil is the fifth largest country by area and the sixth most populated country in the world! Behind these impressive numbers is that anyone can find their perfect place in colorful Brazil.
This is what Brazil offers: urban metropolises, cities merged with nature, sunny beaches, towns and tiny villages. You can choose to live near large expat communities or a more local town untouched by digital nomads.
Of course, we have to start with Sao Paulo, the biggest city in Brazil (and all of South America), with a population of 12 million people. It is ranked as the best city to relocate to as an expat in Brazil, although it can get hectic and stressful. The famous Rio de Janeiro is popular among expats as well. The second largest city with a population of 9 million has to offer long beaches, with much action. It is pricey, however, and requires a bit more safety precautions. Brasilia, the capital of Brazil and the educational, political and economic center of the country, attracts many expatriates as well due to its booming job opportunities and modern feel.
Is it safe for foreigners in Brazil?
Finding a balance between staying safe and thoroughly enjoying your yet-unknown environment doesn’t have to be hard to keep. Firstly, it’s good to cover the basics: getting travel insurance, having a copy of your passports and other important documents and being aware of the surroundings. Visiting a large country can be a shock if you are from a less populated or smaller city. The trick is to take small steps in exploring your neighborhood first, then slowly expand your circle to larger areas.
When it comes to Brazil, it is good to talk to the locals and find out about places they prefer to avoid. That said, Brazil is no more or less safe than any other densely populated country.
Things to do in Brazil – What to do in Brazil as a foreigner
Who doesn’t love beaches?! Brazil has a lot of great beaches to bask on, but one to not miss are the ones in Florianopolis. Here, kilometres of beaches offer beautiful waves for surfing and relaxed swinging.
After a day at the beach, what better than to have some delicious food? One go-to is definitely churrascarias, a sample of various meat cooked perfectly. You can find this delightful dish at traditional gaucho barbecue houses.
When you’re ready to explore again, Chapada Diamantina has excellent hiking trails and is sure to leave you in awe!
Internet quality in Brazil
Brazil currently ranks 65th in the world for broadband download speeds, posting an average of 26.64 megabits per second (Mbps). It is not perfect, but the internet speed, connectivity and availability are improving. In larger cities, you can connect to a Wi-Fi network for free in cafes, restaurants or hotels and be satisfied with the connection. However, you should ensure the connection is secure if you connect to public networks.
The smaller cities or rural areas might not have the best relationship. For this reason, having your own data from a sim card is recommended. There are reasonable offers to get, but the data is limited.
The other way to ensure good internet connectivity in Brazil is to rent a portable Wi-Fi router. This is the best solution for any traveler who wants to work remotely and explore Brazil worry-free. It has many advantages, which make it essential for remote workers. Following this link, you can rent a wireless router for Brazil, starting at 6.40 euros per day. It will offer you an unlimited connection and Internet access at a high-performance 4G LTE speed.
Get a remote job and live in Brazil as a digital nomad
If you want to relocate to Brazil as an IT professional but aren’t a remote worker, then get apply job with us! At Support Adventure, we have open positions.
As a remote team fully operated by expats, we understand the unique needs and lifestyle goals of travelers. We are looking for creative, intelligent people with the right equipment (stable internet, a laptop and a good headset). If you see yourself in this role, apply on our jobs page.
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