Switching continents – moving to Brazil from Australia

Switching continents sounds like a big deal – and it is. A lot of tasks and potential complications are in store for you and your family. For example, getting a visa, finding a suitable home, a job that is good enough to support your family, a reputable school for your children or a company that provides international moving services Brazil, to name a few. Whether you are moving to Brazil from Australia permanently or just for a few years, it is important that you be familiar with the basics of your relocation.

The climate varies from temperate in the south to tropical in the north.

What are my visa options?

Unlike a tourist visa, which is valid for 90 days, a work visa is pretty complicated to get. Prepare for a lot of waiting and paperwork. There are two kinds of working visas. The first one is valid for a limited period. Besides, you cannot change jobs.

The second one is a permanent visa, which is harder to get. You need to prove that you possess specialized skills that would contribute to the county’s economy. With this type of visa, you are not limited to one job. In case you speak Portuguese and have BRL 150,000 to invest in Brazil, you can get a long-term, five-year visa. You can renew the visa after five years if you have employed at least ten Brazilians.

What is the culture like?

The culture of Brazil represents a unique mix of African, European and indigenous cultures. Here are some interesting facts:

• Brazilians are very religious. The majority of the population is Catholic.
• Families are big and family values are extremely important.
• They may call you a gringo/gringa or a marajá (rich person) if you’re not from Brazil.
• Men greet by shaking hands. Women who know each other shake hands or kiss on both cheeks, also men kiss women on both cheeks.
• Being late is considered normal and acceptable.
• Try to look your best – Brazilian people pay a lot of attention to clothes, hairstyle and overall physical appearance.
• Men are a bit more aggressive when showing interest in women.
• In spite of strict laws against discrimination, it still exists, especially against people with darker skin, LGBT people, and mixed-race couples.
• The colors purple and black symbolize death – avoid these colors when buying gifts.

Where to live after moving to Brazil from Australia?

With large expat communities from all over the world, this country is extremely ethnically and culturally diverse. Sao Paulo has Brazil’s biggest expat communities. Life in Rio de Janeiro is less hectic compared to Sao Paulo, although finding a job in Rio might be more difficult than in Sao Paulo. The capital city, Brasilia, is home to a large expat community as well.

If an urban lifestyle not your cup of tea, you may find some other cities, like Curitiba, Porto Alegre, and Florianopolis, more attractive. Recife and Salvador are also more relaxed and welcome a lot of expats. Being the most liveable city in Brazil, Natal is a good choice, too.

Whatever your choice is, reliable international moving companies Brazil will deliver your belongings safely to your new address.

How much does it cost to live in Brazil?

Brazil is a pretty expensive country compared to its average income. First of all, relocation itself can cost a fortune, unless you know how to avoid hidden moving costs. However, prices vary depending on the part of the country you live in. For example, Sao Paulo is more expensive than Curitiba, while Florianopolis and Fortaleza are cheaper than Rio de Janeiro. In large cities, most people eat out during lunch break. In most restaurants, a 10% fee is usually added to the total. Although most people pay it when the service is good, you are not obligated to pay this fee. Buying a car is expensive because of the high taxes, but the car is still the most convenient means of transport. Fuel is relatively expensive as well.

Renting an apartment

It is not cheap to rent an apartment in Brazil. On the contrary. If you want to rent an apartment, you need to have either a proof of your income or a couple of guarantors. Since the bureaucracy in Brazil is very slow, this procedure may take weeks, so be patient. Also, a lot of apartments for rent are not furnished, some don’t even have appliances.

Where to work after moving to Brazil from Australia?

Although it appears to have slowed down recently, Brazil’s economy is still one of the world’s biggest emerging economies. The best way to get a job after moving to Brazil from Australia is to join the Brazilian branch of an international company. The maximum is 44 working hours a week, no more than 8 hours a day. Usually, the work day starts at 8 am and ends at 6 pm. You will probably get 30 days of holiday per year.

Moving to Brazil from Australia without speaking a word of Portuguese is not the best idea, especially if you’re looking for a job.

If you’re moving your business, one of the experienced commercial movers Brazil has to offer can make sure your office relocation goes smoothly.

Popular industries

Engineering, finance, and the IT sector always need employees in this country. Brazil exports soya beans, tobacco, orange juice and cocoa. Furthermore, the country is the biggest producer of sugarcane and coffee in the world. The automotive industry and the renewable energy sector are growing. Moreover, agriculture, mining, and manufacturing are among Brazil’s developed industries. Sao Paulo is the center of the country for finance and business. Expats are more likely to find job opportunities in Sao Paulo than in any other place inBrazil.

What is Brazilan healthcare like?

The public sector

There are no reciprocal deals between the healthcare systems of Australia and Brazil. On the plus side, all residents of Brazil, including foreigners, can enjoy free healthcare. On the minus side, public hospitals are overcrowded, waiting seems to last forever and there’s also the lack of facilities. Additionally, good medical care is not easy to find outside bigger cities.

The private sector

A better option is the private sector since the quality if private service is much better. Approximately 25% of Brazilians have private health insurance and the number is growing. However, it will cost you a lot, unless your company offers private healthcare for its employees. Brazil has the priciest private health insurance in Latin America. Sometimes, you’ll have to pay for the services upfront. On the other hand, it has excellent doctors and healthcare, especially in the field of dentistry and surgery.

Health risks

Moving to Brazil from Australia comes with a few health risks. Mosquitos transmit illnesses such as malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya fever, yellow fever, and the Zika virus. In addition, prevention of hepatitis A and typhoid is necessary. Something as simple as getting a few vaccines can save many lives. Bear in mind that you need to get some vaccines up to 8 weeks before departure date.

Tap water is safe for drinking, at least in urban areas, although you won’t like the taste.

What is Brazilian education like?

Preparing your children for moving abroad involves preparing them for a new school. Before moving to Brazil from Australia, you should start looking for a new school for your children. It is very important that they go to a good school that offers support and a relaxed atmosphere during this emotional period.

The school year lasts 200 school days, from February until December.

In Brazil, all children aged 6-14 attend school, which is free and mandatory for everyone. However, public education in Brazil has many disadvantages. Expatriate students usually attend private schools since they offer a better quality of education. There are also private and public universities. In order to enter a university, one must take an entrance exam. Public universities generally have a better reputation when it comes to the quality of education they provide.

What should I know about traffic in Brazil?

Brazil is a country with many qualities. Unfortunately, good traffic is not one of them. In fact, it is one of Brazil’s biggest flaws. Apart from traffic congestion, there’s also the fact that Brazilian drivers often break the laws due to the lack of traffic police staff. Highways near big cities are often congested during rush hour or around holidays. In larger cities, public transportation can be poor. If possible, try to find a place to live as close to your office as possible.

Driving and parking

Although expensive, buying a car pays off, especially if you live in the countryside or go there often. For the first six months after moving to Brazil from Australia, you don’t need a local driver’s license nor an international license. You should carry a copy of your Australian license officially translated into Portuguese. After six months, you do need a local license. The driver’s exam includes a medical and psychological examination. And yes, it is in Portuguese.

Due to higher crime rates, moving to Brazil from Australia means you should take more safety measures.

Most streets are available for parking, although it’s difficult to find a spot. Leaving your car in a paid parking lot is safer since they have insurance for fires, collisions as well as robbery, but only in case the whole car is stolen. Never leave your valuables in the car because they are not responsible if something disappears.

Taxis

Taxis are more convenient than public transportation, however, they are more expensive. Ridesharing services are still allowed in all cities except Rio. Bear in mind that the majority of taxi drivers don’t speak English, so make sure to write down your destination if your Portuguese is not that good.  Tipping drivers isn’t a must but they will appreciate it. Most importantly, learn what legal taxis look like, thus avoiding illegal ones.

Cycling

As cycling has become more popular, new bike lanes are appearing in Brazilian cities. There are also bike-share systems. However, in case there are no bike lanes, cyclists tend to ride on the sidewalks which can be dangerous.

Trains and the metro

Some Brazilain cities have relatively safe, affordable and efficient, but limited metro systems as well as an above-ground train network. However, there are not many long-distance passenger trains.

Buses

Fortunately, there are many long-distance and short-distance bus services that are safe and punctual. You can usually purchase tickets at bus stations. We recommend that you book in advance in case you’re traveling on weekends or during peak seasons.

Planes

For traveling between Brazilian cities, we recommend the plane. Did you know that only the US has more airports than Brazil?

A few useful tips for your safety

• Unlike Australians, Brazilians drive on the right side of the road.
  

  Beware of motorcycles, especially when there are two people on them, since criminals often use this form of transportation.

• Children under the age of 10 sit in the rear seats.
• The speed limits for cars and motorcycles are usually 110km/h on rural highways, 80km/h on urban highways, 60km/h on avenues and 30km/h on local streets.
• Road and traffic signs usually comply with international conventions, so you will be familiar with most of them.
• The legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.02%. Despite the strict law, drunk driving is still a big problem.
• Without a hands-free device, using a mobile phone isn’t allowed. You can get a fine for holding a mobile phone even when the car isn’t moving.
• Driving shirtless, in flip-flops or high heels is not allowed.
• Always turn on the headlights when driving on a highway.
• Running out of gas is illegal.
• Driving at night is potentially dangerous, especially in undeveloped areas. In addition to poor visibility, you are at risk of robbery. Street racing or speeding for enjoyment also occur on highways at night.
• Gas stations are easy to find, however, self-service stations are illegal. Some gas stations are known for scamming their customers, so always choose one of the major brands.
• Pedestrians should be careful when crossing the street after moving to Brazil from Australia because of reckless drivers, especially if there is no traffic light. The elderly and the disabled might find it hard to cross the street due to short green lights.