Digital Nomad Life in Brazil

"Expats living in Brazil often join international clubs, such as ExpatBrazil, to meet other expats and like-minded people. They also join language and cultural exchange groups, which offer activities such as language classes, book clubs, movie nights, and cooking classes. Additionally, they may join sports teams, local choirs, or community gardens, or join meetup groups related to their hobbies and interests. Meeting people while living in Brazil can also be done by attending any of the many concerts, dances, or carnivals, or by simply exploring local bars, restaurants, and parks," remarked one member in Brazil.

"International Newcomers, wonderful start if you don't know the language at all. Most nationalities have their own clubs and organizations; huge expat community. Excellent schools. Very busy social diary if that's what you want, otherwise enjoy the best part of Brazil: the Brazilians," explained one expat living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

"Peoples lives, no joke, revolve around the beach and sports. You will meet many people by just going to the beach or walking on the beach front and around the Lagoa (lagoon). Brazilians are very easy going; they talk to you all the time and everywhere. Some knowledge of the language is essential. Nobody, outside the tourist industry, speaks any English or any other language for that matter, but Portuguese," said one person in Rio de Janeiro.

"Expats and digital nomads in Brazil are generally welcomed with open arms and enjoy an active lifestyle. There are attractive cities such as Sao Paulo, Salvador, Recife and Fortaleza, which offer access to some of Brazil’s greatest attractions, such as its beaches and rainforest. Brazil is renowned for its nightlife and its vibrant culture, which makes it a great destination for travelers looking to experience the country’s many cultures and customs. Expats and digital nomads also benefit from fairly affordable living costs, a strong public transportation system and an improving economic climate," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Brazil.

"I choose Jardins because it is one of the few places where you can walk to the pharmacy, supermarket ect. The downside is that I spend 3 yes three hours a day to and from the office (7 km each way).. My office is in a commercial area and living there would be depressing," remarked one member in Sao Paulo.

"Great place to live; perfect climate; friendly people. Come with a job in view and leave your valuables in your home country. You are going to have the time of your life," said one expat in Rio de Janeiro.

"Before retiring in Brazil, expats should be aware of the different types of visas available. They should also be aware of the tax implications that come with becoming an expat. Additionally, expats should familiarize themselves with the Brazilian culture and language, especially if they plan to be living there for a longer period of time. Furthermore, it is important to research all available options and compare the costs of healthcare, housing, and other necessities in the areas they are considering. Lastly, expats should consider hiring a local lawyer who is familiar with the laws and regulations of their chosen location," remarked one member in Brazil.

"I love so many things here in Brazil. The nature, food, environment, most of the people, etc," said one person in Curitiba.

"In my case, trying to adapt from the North american mentality, where we worry most about making more and paying bills and relaxing more. It has to do partly with the fact that life for many Brazilians is much harder than middle class North Americans experience," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Fortaleza.

"The language and they are also very isolated. All the newspapers and TV talk about Brazil and Brazil, not much about the rest of the world problems," explained one person living in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

"If you plan to stay in Brazil for an extended period of time, you will need to apply for a permanent residency visa. In order to be eligible for this, you will need to provide a valid passport, proof of address, necessary paperwork from authorities in your home country, and evidence of economic activity in Brazil. You may also need to take and pass a criminal record check. After successfully completing the required applications and paperwork, you will receive your residency documents, which will allow you to live in Brazil for a designated period of time," said one person in Brazil.

"Permanent visa ... bit complicated unless you are married and have a Brazilian child," said one expat who made the move to Jacumá, Conde, Paraiba.

"Yes. Here they call "gaiolas" to the bird cells, and the word gaiolas in Spanish is "spank the monkey, hehehe," said one expat in Sao Paulo.

"I did so many silly things here. I constantly say something wrong. Once in the beginning here in Curitiba, I went grocery shopping. I was looking at the meat and couldn't read the package. I wanted beef cubes. I thought the word on the package said mule so I tried to get someone to help me. I wanted beef, not mule. The butcher could not understand my portuguese - I was asking what animal the meat was from. In the end I pointed and said "mooooo" and he laughed and nodded "Sim, mooooo."," remarked one member in Curitiba.

"In Brazil, it is important to be aware of the cultural norms when interacting with people and engaging in activities. When conversing, it is considered impolite to be too direct or speak in a loud tone. It is important to research and understand the local customs before arriving in the country, especially if you are traveling for business as Brazilian business culture operates differently than other countries. Standing uncomfortably close to people and making physical contact, such as a hug or kiss, is often deemed inappropriate. Additionally, it is important to be aware of and abide by the conservative dress code and customs that apply in both social and professional contexts. Finally, it is important to be aware of Brazil's national holidays and other special observances and be respectful of their importance to the local people," explained one expat living in Brazil.

"Healthcare services in Brazil are provided by both public and private institutions. The public healthcare system is known as the Unified Health System (SUS) and is funded by the government. It provides free healthcare to all citizens and permanent residents, including foreign residents. The quality of public healthcare varies from region to region, with some areas having better access to resources and better quality care than others. Expats in Brazil can use the public healthcare system, but they may need to pay for some services. Private healthcare is also available and is often preferred by expats due to its higher quality of care. Private healthcare is usually more expensive than public healthcare, but it can provide more comprehensive coverage and access to better facilities," said a member in Brazil.

"Brazil does have a National Health Care program and my wife and I have taken advantage of this service for relatively minor health issues. But it is a national health care program that must be funded by the government with many cities such as Rio de Janerio unable to fund many of these clinics and public hospitals to the degree that they should be. We are retired and our health issues are relatively minor but we feel strongly about having a paid for medical insurance plan. This plan pays for annual physicals that include treadmill stress test, visit with cardiologist, Urologist, blood tests and a personal consultation with your doctor about the results. Mine lasted nearly a full hour. We looked for a doctor who spoke English and was very good in his/her field. We chose a private practice doctor in Natal, Brazil who performed his studies under the direction of Dr. Christian Bernard in South Africa. So my advice.......live in or near a big city such as Natal, Brazil, spend some time talking with insurance agents about doctors and qualifications in your area and do not depend only on the national social medicine programs. Purchase private medical insurance. Mine is from AMIL who's parent company is United Health Care," explained one person living in Natal, Brazil.

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the vibrant culture and friendly people of Brazil. They also enjoy the country's diverse landscapes, from the Amazon rainforest to the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. The cost of living is also relatively low, making it an attractive destination for those looking to stretch their budget. On the downside, the language barrier can be a challenge for those who don't speak Portuguese, and the country's infrastructure can be unreliable. Additionally, crime rates are high in some areas, so it's important to research the safety of a particular city before moving there," wrote one digital nomad living in Brazil.

"It is absolutely not useful for anyone to compare Brazil to the United States so I won't. I like living here and am in a very lucky situation. Although there are distinct disadvantages to living here mostly related to convenience, life here is excellent. It's a beautiful place. It's easy to travel by car or air when there is no pandemic. I love photography so it's a paradise in some ways. I'd love to build a homestead but I'm afraid the wife is a city girl so that's probably not in the cards. Maybe a weekend place where I could do a garden? On the downside, it can be uncomfortable to confront certain types of ignorance that are, for the most part, no fault of the ignorant ones. You have to understand where you are and that you have not had to live through what these folks have had to live through. They are conditioned just like anybody gets conditioned by their upbringing. They're mostly good hearted so if you want a laundry list of complaints, I'm not going to give it. If you want to find good here, they have it in spades. If you want to gritch and gripe, you'll have plenty of fodder for that as well. I keep reminding myself how extraordinary it is to have this opportunity. I would like to be able to talk with more people who like woodworking, people who are classical musicians and people who are "makers" but that's splitting hairs and I feel like that will come in time when we can talk to each other without the unreasonable fear we are under in the present moment," said one foreigner in Rio de Janeiro.