Overseas relocation – moving to Brazil from the UK

The number of people emigrating to Brazil from all continents is increasing rapidly. This beautiful South American country is becoming more and more attractive for British nationals as well, as the two countries create close ties. If you wish to join Brazil’s growing expat population, have a look at this brief guide. Make your decision easier by learning what the benefits but also challenges of moving to Brazil from the UK are.

The paperwork for moving to Brazil from the UK

Brazilian visa types

"No firearm" sign, 4 guns crossed out on a white background

Some of the goods you cannot bring to Brazil are firearms, foodstuffs, plants, narcotics, jewelry and other valuables, alcohol, inflammable items, etc.

British residents can spend up to 90 days in Brazil without a visa, with a possibility of extension for another 90 days. For permanent relocation, you need to check what type of visa to apply for. Contact the Brazilian Consulate in London for the most accurate information regarding all types of Brazilian visa.

Brits who cannot get a Courtesy, Diplomatic or Official visa, need a Permanent visa to live in Brazil. Those who have children or a spouse of Brazilian nationality can get a permanent visa. There are also a Working visa and an Investor’s visa.

To get an Investor’s visa, you need to invest in a business in Brazil. It can be an existing or a new business. The minimum investment is BRL 150,000, although it could be lower if certain criteria are met. Moreover, you must be the administrator of the company and over 18 years old. It is valid for 5 years and can be renewed.

A working visa is granted to professionals providing services to a certain Brazilian company or organization. Some of those professions are researchers, scientists, professors, artists, sports people, administrators, managers, directors, executives, etc.

Moving to Brazil from the UK with pets

Never leave your pets in the UK, especially dogs. They are attached to their owners and do not like changing them. Even if moving with animals was very complicated, it would be worth it. Just like people, domestic pets need to have their papers in order. Some necessary veterinary procedures are required to get those documents. One of the requirements is a vaccination for rabies (for pets over 3 months of age). Moreover, animals need an international health certificate (Certificado Zoosanitário Internacional – CZI). The vet issues the certificate and the Brazilian consulate validates it. Quarantine is not one of the requirements. Brazilian moving professionals can take care of pet transportation. Once you arrive in Brazil, find a good vet and a pet supply store as soon as possible. They are abundant in all urban areas.

Fortunately, pets are welcome in Brazil, but certain items are not. Before you start packing for international relocation, check the list of items you cannot take with you when moving to Brazil from the UK.

Employment options in Brazil

Brazil is an emerging world power with an expanding job market. Since the prices of food and oil went up globally, Brazil’s economy has been boosting. Truth be told, Brazil is not the easiest job market for expats, despite its vibrant economy. However, in major cities, such as Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, and Sao Paulo, job opportunities are more available for those who speak English. If you get hired by a multinational company after moving to Brazil from the UK, Portuguese lessons are likely to be included in your employment package. Apart from having a good knowledge of the country and the Portuguese language, being already based in Brazil makes you a more desirable candidate.

Urban landscape, a lot of buildings and skyscrapers.

Brazil’s fast-growing economy is now surpassing that of the UK.

The highest paid jobs belong to the areas of security, law enforcement, mining, management, real state, public relations, etc. On the other hand, the lowest paid professions include catering, hospitality, tourism, and food.

The growing sectors

Among the industries that are developing rapidly are agriculture and food manufacturing. The country produces sugar cane, soya beans, oranges, cocoa, and of course coffee. In addition, Brazil produces hydroelectric power, as well as oil and gas and renewable energy. Mining, engineering, and environmental management are also on the rise. Moreover, construction jobs, manufacturing, and engineering of high-speed rail networks are in demand. Finally, let’s not forget the service industry which employs a lot of people across Brazil.

A female teacher holding a notebook and a pen, teaching English after moving to Brazil from the UK.

Brits can teach English after moving to Brazil from the UK.

Brazil is not as cheap as most people think

The official currency is called the Brazilian Real (BRL). The currency fluctuates, so pay attention to the exchange rate. Most major banks in Brazil are Brazilian but they usually collaborate with foreign banks. Therefore, check with your bank which bank you can use after moving to Brazil from the UK.

Brazil is relatively expensive. We say relatively because it is expensive by Brazilian standards, not British. Poverty is still an issue and the wealth gap is massive in this country. Sao Paulo, Brasilia, and Rio – the most popular cities among immigrants – are also the priciest. If you choose to live here, make sure your salary can cover it and organize your budget smartly.

Finding affordable international movers Brazil with experience in moving from the UK to Brazil is possible but avoid suspiciously low estimates because it’s usually a fraud. Housing prices vary, depending on the location, style, size, and condition. The prices of food and entertainment also vary depending on where you live and shop. A three-course lunch menu is a common and affordable option in many restaurants. There are also affordable buffet style and per kilo restaurants. The bus is the cheapest form of transportation, particularly popular among lower classes.

Choose a place to live that fits your needs

First of all, make a list of the things you are looking for, in order of priority. For example, if you already have a job waiting for you in Brazil, the decision is easier. If not, job opportunities will rank high on your list of priorities. If possible, after doing some online research and consulting other expats, visit the places you find the most appealing. Since Brazil is a huge country, you can choose between different climatic, geographic, demographic and cultural environments. Additionally, criteria such as commuting and overall safety should be taken into consideration when choosing the right Brazilian city or neighborhood. Moving to Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo or Brasilia is the most common choice for expats.

Two dolls, representing movers carrying and wheeling boxes

Hire experienced, long-distance movers to help you move to Brazil from the UK.

Choose the right school in Brazil

Expat students usually attend private schools which are better but much more expensive in comparison to public schools. Most private schools, many of which are accredited and follow the British curriculum, can be found in big cities. Furthermore, you can opt for a bilingual or Christian school. Both expat and Brazilian students attend many of these private schools. Apart from providing a good environment to learn Portuguese, a Brazilain private school could be more affordable. Your child could still attend English lessons in a Brazilian private school. Expat children can go to a public school too but bear in mind that the public education system has a lot of disadvantages, such as the lack of staff and poor infrastructure.

How to survive Brazilian traffic

Insufficient investment in infrastructure, horrible traffic jams, and bad drivers are a serious concern in Brazil. Despite strict laws, Brazilian drivers tend to disobey traffic rules thus jeopardizing everyone’s safety. Since public transport services are usually disorganized, driving is a better option, especially in rural areas. Importing motor vehicles into Brazil is banned. Unfortunately, renting a car is rather expensive. Fuel is also expensive but available almost everywhere. Driving at night after moving to Brazil from the UK is not recommendable due to high crime rates and poor visibility in some areas.

A driver driving his car after moving to Brazil from the UK.

Remember that in Brazil people drive on the right side of the road.

City traffic

Among the biggest downsides of living in a big city is the traffic. Within major cities, public transportation is usually chaotic and crowded. Bus stops are usually not marked – you’ll recognize them when you see a group of people waiting on the side of the road. Prepare to spend a lot of time stuck in traffic, especially during rush hours (7 am – 10 am and 5 pm – 8 pm) and before and after holidays. As the population keeps growing, the situation seems to be worsening. If you like cycling, the number of bike lanes in big cities is growing, thanks to the popularity of this form of transportation. Although they cost more, we recommend using taxis, especially during the night. Instead of catching them on the street, you should either call a taxi company or go to a taxi stop (ponto de taxi).

The subway system exists in about eight big cities. Taking the subway instead of buses and cars is a good way to avoid traffic jams. Additionally, the subway is safe, reliable, and cleaner than most buses. Unfortunately, the portion of each city that Brazilian metros cover is relatively small compared to European metro systems.

Long-distance travel after moving to Brazil from the UK

The bus is the most accessible and inexpensive but the least convenient means of transport. Traveling between Brazilian cities sometimes takes over 40 hours. Besides, destinations in rural areas can be pretty isolated and impossible to reach by bus or train. Bus travel is also the least expensive option for traveling from Brazil to other countries. With a lot of low-cost airline companies working in Brazil, the plane is becoming more popular for such long-distance journeys. Moreover, air travel is a better option due to the safety risks of road travel.

A silhouette of a plane flying in the sky at sunset

Flying from the UK to Brazil takes about 12 hours.

Prepare for a completely different climate

Sorting out your wardrobe is an important part of preparing for an international move. Therefore, you need to know exactly what kind of weather to expect. Brazil spreads over nearly one half of the continent, therefore, its climate varies significantly, depending on geographic factors. The country could be divided into two parts – the tropical north and the temperate south. Brazil’s seasons are totally opposite to what Brits are used to. The warmer part of the year, also known as summer, lasts from December to March. The cold season lasts from May to September. Winter officially starts in June and ends in September.

The climatic zones

The Equatorial Zone – the north and west. This zone is the most humid. It gets a lot of rain in the summer and autumn. The average temperature is above 25°C.
The Semi-Arid Zone – the north-east. This zone has a dry, tropical climate and the average annual temperature is also over 25 degrees.
The Highland Tropical Zone – the east and north-east coast. This region has warm winters and cooler summers. Its climate is also humid and the temperature does not fluctuate much.
The Tropical zone – the center of Brazil and the coast in the mid-north. The climate here ranges from dry to humid. This zone has somewhat lower temperatures, averaging between 20 and 25 degrees.
The Subtropical Zone – the south. This zone is the coldest. Summers are hotter than winters. The average temperatures are between 10 and 15 degrees.

Treat your palate after moving to Brazil from the UK

The Brazilian cuisine is colorful and diverse. Each region is different but they are all equally delicious. You’ll be able to try a lot of new dishes and drinks after moving to Brazil from the UK. For example, the national dish is called feijoada. It is a black bean and pork stew. Churrasco is the famous Brazilian barbecue that usually consists of beef or chicken hearts. You have probably heard of tapioca, popular in the north-eastern region. It is usually a pancake they serve with coconut or cheese. Another dish, called acarajé, contains black-eyed beans and rich filling. It is popular in Bahia. Pato no tucupi is a dish from the Amazon area. Its main ingredient is duck.