Moving to Rio de Janeiro | International Relocation | Gerson Relocation (2024)

FAQs

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Rio de Janeiro? ›

Summary of cost of living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: A family of four estimated monthly costs are 2,133.3$ (11,634.8R$) without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 605.7$ (3,303.3R$) without rent. Rio de Janeiro is 65.0% less expensive than New York (without rent).

There are different visa categories for visitors and expats moving to Rio de Janeiro which serve different purposes. There are different short-term visas, which include business visas and visas for tourists and visitors, and permanent visas for those who intend on moving to Rio de Janeiro indefinitely.

Can a US citizen move to Brazil? US citizens can move to Brazil, provided they obtain the appropriate visa for residence.

We'll dig into the details a little more in a moment, but as you can see, costs of living in Brazil are on average in the region of half of the costs of living in the USA. In fact, consumer prices without rent are 97.8% higher in the US than Brazil, and once you include rent, that rises to 157.1% higher.

Visitor Visas (VIVIS) are aimed at those travelling to Brazil for maximum stays of up to 90 days, without the intention to establish residence, for the purposes of tourism and transit.

Enjoy a high quality of life, accessible healthcare, diverse employment opportunities, and a rich mix of cultures that span from Europe to African influences and the warm tropical climate of South America's biggest country. Making a move to Brazil requires careful planning and research.

No, English is not widely spoken in Brazil. Only around 5% of people in Brazil report speaking English, and – of that 5% – not all of them speak it fluently or regularly. The official language in Brazil is Portuguese, which is spoken by 98% of Brazilians.

Where is the safest place to live in Rio de Janeiro? ›

Copacabana! More great news? This must-visit destination is one of the safest areas in Rio de Janeiro. Situated snuggly alongside breathtaking Copacabana Beach, this neighborhood offers a fantastic blend of stunning landscapes and excellent security.

Public healthcare is provided to all Brazilian permanent residents and foreigners in Brazilian territory through the National Healthcare System, known as the Unified Health System (Portuguese: Sistema Único de Saúde, SUS). The SUS is universal and free for everyone.

Expats usually live in São Paulo. It's the most important city for business and finance. If you prefer a more relaxed lifestyle, you can consider moving to Rio de Janeiro. If you are looking for a more relaxed life you can either go north or south.

General safety tips

At this point you should have a good idea of Brazil's safety profile: generally safe, but concerns with petty theft in cities and overall safety elsewhere. Given that, it's good to follow these simple precautions while traveling in Brazil: Stick to the main streets, especially at night.

Average earnings by percentile in Brazil 2023

In 2023, the top ten percent in Brazil earned an average of 7,580 Brazilian reals per month before income taxes. This is more than 12 times the average income of the bottom half, which was 629 reals per month in that year.

Brazil retirement visa requirements include a monthly income of $2,000–sufficient for most US retirees to live comfortably.

The square meter price of an apartment cost on average over 3,000 U.S. dollars, with Leblon achieving prices as high as 4,200 U.S. dollars per square meter.

As mentioned before, the average price per sqm in Rio de Janeiro is $2,270. A one-bedroom property (60 sqm) would cost around $136,000, and a two-bedroom (85 sqm) would be about $193,000. However, prices will differ based on the attributes of the property and its specific location.