For Americans and other English speakers
Moving to Brazil, explained in English.
The main routes for digital nomads, remote workers who want a long-term base, and people seeking residency through real estate investment: what each one asks for, the first practical steps, and the money and tax points to plan for.
From Gabriela Rabachini, Brazilian attorney, OAB/SC 78438, based in Florianópolis.
Key facts checked against official Brazilian and US sources, current as of November 2026.
Who it is for
For English speakers making Brazil home
Brazil For Expats is English-first. Every page, email and conversation starts in English, for Americans and other English-speaking foreigners.
Digital nomads
You work remotely for an employer outside Brazil and want to live here on a proper visa, not just visit.
See the key factsRemote workers staying longer
You want Brazil to be your long-term base and need a plan that reaches beyond the digital nomad period.
See the key factsResidency through real estate
You are thinking about buying property in Brazil and want to understand how it can lead to residence.
See the key facts
The three paths
The main routes, and what each one asks for
Key facts as of November 2026, taken from the official sources linked under each path. Rules and fees change and consulates differ, so check the source before you act.
Path A
Digital nomad visa
VITEM XIV, CNIg Resolution 45/2021
For people who work remotely for a foreign employer.
- Who
- You work remotely for a foreign employer, under an employment or service contract. It does not cover working for an employer in Brazil.
- Money
- At least US$1,500 a month from a foreign source, or at least US$18,000 in bank funds.
- Documents
- Your contract and an employer letter, your signed statement on how you work remotely, proof of income, health insurance valid in Brazil, an FBI background check (issued within 90 days for Chicago, 3 months for New York) and your birth certificate.
- Stay
- Up to 1 year, renewable for an equal period.
- Apply
- At your Brazilian consulate (fee for US citizens: US$290), or from inside Brazil through the Ministry of Justice system, MigranteWeb.
Path B
Remote work, long term
Planning beyond the nomad period
For remote workers who want Brazil to be a long-term base.
- The gap
- The digital nomad residence can be renewed for an equal period, but its rule has no built-in route to permanent residence. Plan your next residence basis early.
- Real estate
- Residence through real estate investment (Path C) can become an indefinite-term residence.
- A company
- Investing in a Brazilian company (CNIg Resolution 13/2017): from R$500,000 with an investment or business plan, or from R$150,000 for qualifying innovation and research projects. The residence term is indefinite, as long as you can show the plan is being carried out.
- Tax
- Long stays also change your tax position. See money and tax below.
Path C
Residency through real estate
CNIg Resolution 36/2018, as amended
For people who invest their own money from abroad in Brazilian property.
- Property
- Urban real estate, built or under construction, worth at least R$1,000,000 in total, or R$700,000 in the North and Northeast regions. Several properties can be combined.
- Funds
- Your own money, sent from abroad. An institution authorized by the Central Bank of Brazil confirms the international transfer. Financing counts only for the part above the minimum.
- Proof
- The property registration in your name, free of liens. For a property under construction: the registered purchase contract, the building permit and the registered development memorial.
- Term
- 4 years, then it can become indefinite if you keep the investment. You must spend at least 14 days in Brazil in every two-year period.
- Note
- This route covers urban property only. Rural and border-area land has extra controls for foreigners.
Whichever path you choose
First practical steps
Three practical steps from the checklist, and the deadlines that come with them.
- Step 1
Get a CPF
The CPF is Brazil's taxpayer number. You need one if you own property, hold a bank account or invest in Brazil. From abroad, foreigners request it in person at a Brazilian consulate, booked online. It is free. Bring the online FCPF form, an identity document and your birth or marriage certificate. There is no card: you print a proof of enrolment from the Receita Federal website.
- Step 2
Register with the Federal Police
Registration gives you an RNM number and a CRNM ID card. Do it within 90 days of entering Brazil on a temporary visa, or within 30 days after a residence approval is published in the official gazette. It is in person, by appointment, where you live, and collects fingerprints. The card fee is R$204.77.
- Step 3
Apostille and translate
US public documents such as your birth certificate and FBI check are apostilled by the US authority that issued them. To have effect in Brazil, a foreign-language document then needs a sworn translation by a translator registered in Brazil.
Money and tax to plan for
A long stay can change your tax position. See a US and a Brazilian tax professional before you move.
No US-Brazil income tax treaty
Brazil does not have an income tax treaty with the United States. Brazil has a 2000 ruling on offsetting tax paid in the US against tax due in Brazil; ask a cross-border tax professional how it applies to you.
When you become a tax resident
On a permanent visa, from the day you arrive. On a temporary visa without a Brazilian job, on your 184th day in Brazil within a period of up to 12 months.
Monthly tax on income from abroad
As a resident, income from abroad goes into monthly Brazilian income tax (carnê-leão) and your annual return. Assets abroad of US$1 million or more need an annual declaration to the Central Bank (CBE).
US citizens keep filing in the US
US citizens are taxed on worldwide income and still file US returns from abroad, plus an FBAR for foreign accounts above the reporting threshold.
Social Security
A US-Brazil Social Security agreement, in force since October 1, 2018, prevents paying into both systems for the same work.
Official sources
- United States income tax treaties A to Z, IRS (opens in a new tab)
- Tax residency rules for non-residents, Receita Federal (opens in a new tab)
- Carnê-leão (monthly income tax), gov.br (opens in a new tab)
- Brazilian capital abroad declaration (CBE), Banco Central on gov.br (opens in a new tab)
- US citizens and resident aliens abroad, IRS (opens in a new tab)
- US-Brazil Social Security agreement, Federal Register 2018-22509 (opens in a new tab)
About
Gabriela Rabachini
Brazilian attorney
- Bar registration
- OAB/SC 78438
- Based in
- Florianópolis, Brazil
Gabriela Rabachini is a Brazilian attorney (OAB/SC 78438) based in Florianópolis. She specializes in working with English-speaking foreign clients and has seven years of experience working with Americans.
She has lived in the US, speaks four languages and is fluent in English, so you can write to her in English.
She used to be a digital nomad herself, so she understands that life first-hand: working remotely, planning around paperwork and settling into a new country.
Seven years
of experience working with Americans
Four languages
fluent in English, and has lived in the US
Former digital nomad
she knows that life first-hand
Florianópolis
where she is based, in Brazil
The checklist
Moving to Brazil: the one-page checklist
The paths, first steps and money points on a single page, current as of November 2026. Sent to your inbox as a PDF.
- The three paths: the digital nomad visa, remote work long term, and residency through real estate
- What each path asks for: income, investment minimums, documents and terms
- Visiting first: the e-Visa for US, Canadian and Australian citizens
- First practical steps: the CPF, Federal Police registration, apostille and sworn translation
- Money and tax to plan for, and a 10-step checklist
Where should we send it?
FAQ
Questions people ask
Short answers from the official sources, as of November 2026.
Have a different question? hello@brazilforexpats.com
Do I need a visa just to visit Brazil?
If you are a US, Canadian or Australian citizen, yes. Since April 10, 2025 you need an e-Visa for tourism or business trips. It covers stays of up to 90 days and the fee is US$80.90. Requirements include a passport valid for the whole trip, a photo, a flight reservation in and out of Brazil, and a bank statement for the last 30 days showing at least US$2,000.
Can I work remotely while visiting?
The digital nomad rule says the activities it covers may also be carried out on a visitor stay, within the stay limits and visit-visa rules for your nationality. To stay longer than a visit allows, you need a temporary visa or residence, such as the digital nomad visa.
Who qualifies for the digital nomad visa?
People who work remotely for a foreign employer and have at least US$1,500 a month from a foreign source, or at least US$18,000 in bank funds. It does not cover working for an employer in Brazil. If you are self-employed or own your company, check before you apply: the New York consulate states that the route is not available to business owners.
How long can I stay on the digital nomad visa?
Up to one year at first, and the residence may be renewed for an equal period. The rule itself has no provision for changing it to a permanent residence, so if you want to stay long term, plan your next residence basis early.
Can I apply from inside Brazil?
Yes, both the digital nomad residence and the real estate residence can be requested from inside Brazil. Work and investment residence requests go online through the Ministry of Justice system, MigranteWeb. Its processing fee is R$168.13.
How much do I need to invest for residency through real estate?
At least R$1,000,000 in urban property, built or under construction, or at least R$700,000 in the North and Northeast regions. Several properties can be combined. The money must be your own and come from abroad, and financing counts only for the part above the minimum.
Does real estate residency lead to a permanent residence?
The residence lasts 4 years. After that it can be changed to an indefinite term if you keep the investment. You must be in Brazil at least 14 days, consecutive or not, in each two-year period. If the property is sold, the residence can be declared lost.
What is a CPF and how do I get one?
The CPF is the Receita Federal's register of individual taxpayers. If you live abroad, you need one to hold real estate, vehicles, bank accounts or investments in Brazil. From abroad, foreigners request it in person at a Brazilian consulate, booked through its online system. The service is free and there is no card: the proof is a printout from the Receita Federal website.
Do I need to register with the Federal Police?
Yes. Registration gives you an RNM number and a CRNM card. On a temporary visa the deadline is 90 days after you enter Brazil; for a residence granted in Brazil it is 30 days after publication in the official gazette. It is in person, by appointment, and missing the deadline can bring penalties. The card fee is R$204.77.
When do I become a Brazilian tax resident?
On a permanent visa, from the day you arrive. On a temporary visa, you become a tax resident on arrival if you come to work under a Brazilian employment contract; otherwise on the day you complete 184 days in Brazil, consecutive or not, within a period of up to 12 months. If you stay 183 days or fewer in that period, you remain a non-resident.
Is there a tax treaty between the US and Brazil?
No. Brazil does not have an income tax treaty with the United States. Brazil does have a 2000 ruling on offsetting tax paid in the US against tax due in Brazil. US citizens are taxed on worldwide income and still file US returns from abroad, plus an FBAR for foreign accounts above the threshold. Speak to a US and a Brazilian tax professional before you move.
How long does the process take?
No official processing time is published. The Chicago consulate, for example, says processing time may vary and is determined by the consular authority. Leave room in your plans.
Contact
Questions about your move?
Write to Gabriela in English. Tell her where you are from, how you work and when you hope to move.