Living in Brazil
Advice for British people living in Brazil, including information on health, education, benefits, residence requirements and more.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Brazil. Read about how the British Embassy in Brasilia or the consulates in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Brazilian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
To stay up to date:
- Sign up for email alerts
- Follow the British Embassy in Brasilia on Facebook and Twitter.
Before you go
See our travel advice for Brazil for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Coronavirus
Follow the advice of the Brazilian government and your local authority. You should also read the Brazil travel advice.
You should also read our Entry requirements page, for detailed guidance on the current rules to enter Brazil.
Visas
Check the entry requirements for Brazil in our travel advice.
British nationals are allowed to visit Brazil without a visa as a tourist for up to 90 days. You can apply for an extension on your visa for up to 90 days more. Extension applications are handled by the Brazilian Federal Police. If you overstay, you are likely to be given notice to leave the country at your own expense and you may be fined or deported.
To request a visa extension you will have to:
- Make the request within 90 days from your first entry in the country, prior to the expiration of the current authorized stay.
- Provide a detailed birth certificate, which must have both parents’ full names.
In order for your British birth certificate to be accepted in Brazil, it must be apostilled by the Legalisation Office in the United Kingdom, along with its official translation. The British Embassy and Consulates in Brazil cannot authenticate British birth certificates.
Residency
If you are travelling to Brazil for any purpose other than tourism, you must contact the Brazilian Consulate in London prior to your travel to check what type of visa is required upon arrival in the country.
When applying for residency in Brazil you might be asked to obtain a certificate from the Embassy with information about criminal records which might be held about you. The British Embassy/Consulates cannot issue any type of certificate in relation to personal information which might be held about you in the UK. You should contact the following UK based agencies for advice on how to apply for this type of information:
- Disclosure and Barring Service
- Association of Chief Police Officers Criminal Records Office (ACRO)
- Metropolitan Police
- Disclosure Scotland
- Northern Ireland Direct
Once you have obtained the certificate you need to get it legalised by the Legalisation Office in the UK and translated by an official/sworn translator before submitting it to the Brazilian authorities.
If you have lived or been living in Brazil and need a Certificate of Criminal Records from the local authorities, you should submit your request to the Brazilian Federal Police.
Foreigner Identity Card and Tax Payer Registry (CPF)
RNM – Registro Nacional Migratório (Foreigner identity card)
This is the foreigner identity card, formerly known as Registro Nacional de Estrangeiros (RNE). Information about applying for a RNM can be found on the website of the Brazilian Federal Police). This document has the same validity as the national identity card (RG) issued for Brazilian nationals.
CPF
The Cadastro de Pessoa Fisica (CPF) is the national individual taxpayer registration, issued for residents and non-residents who wish to have assets entitled to taxes in Brazil. If you are in the UK, you can apply through the Brazilian Consulate in London, otherwise you must contact Receita Federal (Brazilian Customs and Revenue).
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Brazil.
Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Brazil. Check the Brazil travel advice for further information on passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Brazil
There is no reciprocal National Health Service agreement in Brazil and medical costs must be met by the individual.
We strongly recommend you have adequate travel/health insurance that provides coverage overseas and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad. This should include coverage for repatriation.
Foreign nationals are entitled to emergency medical treatment in Brazilian public hospitals. Public hospitals in Brazil, especially in major cities, can be overcrowded and there’s often a long wait for a bed and a lack of medication. Private hospitals will not accept you unless you can present evidence of sufficient funds or insurance.
If you need emergency medical assistance, dial 192 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.
NOTE: UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
Medicine
If you are on a prescription for any medication you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in Brazil. Certain medicines may not be available in Brazil, and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Brazil to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the NHS guidance if you need to travel with medicines - Can I take my medicine abroad.
Working in Brazil
If you are planning to move to Brazil and work you need a visa. For further information please visit the website of the Brazilian Consulate in London and read guidance on how to get a work visa
To apply for a job you may need to provide a:
- Valid passport
- Detailed birth certificate, which must have both parents’ full names.
- UK police certificate)
Studying in Brazil
If you plan to study in Brazil, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel. Read the Brazilian Consulate in London guidance on study visas.
Read guidance on Brazilian visas for:
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Brazil to check what fees you may have to pay.
Tax
In late 2022, the UK signed a double taxation agreement with Brazil. This means that in future you may not have to pay tax twice on the same income in both countries. However, it has not yet entered into force. This will happen upon completion of the procedures required by the law of both countries for the bringing into force of this agreement. We will update this guide when the double taxation agreement comes into force.
Information about taxation in Brazil can be obtained from the Receita Federal do Brasil (Brazilian Federal Revenue).
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Brazil. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Brazil
Read guidance on:
- tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
- tax on your UK income if you live abroad
- tax if you get a pension and live abroad
- paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances
Benefits
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you are abroad for more than 4 weeks.
For information on whether you can continue to or apply for benefits whilst living abroad please visit the following links:
Pensions
Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.
If you retire in Brazil, you can claim your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.
Life certificates for UK State Pensions
If you get a life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.
Money and banking
The official currency of Brazil is the Real (BRL /R$). It is easy to convert most major currencies at specialist money exchange bureaus and some banks and hotels. Passport identification usually will be required to make the exchange. ATMs are widely available and most will accept foreign-issued bank cards. Credit card transactions are accepted across Brazil’s establishments and mobile money transaction are common.
Requirements for opening a bank account in Brazil may include:
- The Cadastro de Pessoa Fisica (CPF) - the national individual taxpayer registration
- Passport
- Utility bill/ lease agreement (for purpose of verifying your physical address)
- Foreigner identity card (Carteira de Registro Nacional Migratório – CRNM)
Accommodation and buying property
Driving in Brazil
Read the guidance on what actions you must take to drive legally in Brazil
If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (eg the DVLA)
Holders of UK driving licences are allowed to drive in Brazil for 180 days, starting from the day they enter the country, as long as they have their original passport and original valid driving licence with them. After this period, please contact the nearest DETRAN office to apply for the recognition of your driving licence.
Driving rules and information in Brazil (In Portuguese)
Documents you need to drive in Brazil
International Driving licence in Brazil
If you wish to take your vehicle with you, see taking a vehicle out of the UK .
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Brazil, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in Brazil you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth registration certificate.
If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.
Deaths
If someone dies in Brazil read our guidance on:
What to do if someone dies abroad
Bereavement guidance for Brazil
English-speaking funeral directors in Brazil
Marriage and civil partnership
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
Civil partnership and same sex marriage is recognized in Brazil by law.
For further information read our guidance on:
Brazil: note on marriage validity
Notarial and documentary services guide for Brazil - Affirmation of Marital Status
Emergencies
For emergencies in Brazil dial the following numbers
- 190 for police
- 192 for ambulance
- 193 for fire Services
Dial the 190 to report a missing child or go to the nearest police station.
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Brazil, read the guidance Brazil: information for victims of rape and sexual assault. See also Victim of rape and sexual assault abroad.
Find a lawyer in Brazil
If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy in Brasilia or the Consulates in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.
Read the guidance on international parental child abduction if your child may be at risk of this.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.
Last updated 20 July 2023 + show all updates
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Minor change in "Birth, deaths, marriage and civil partnership" section to add clarification on UK birth registration certificate.
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The full page was updated.
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines
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Updated consular guidance and FCDO changes
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Updated April 2018
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First published.