Brazil (BR)

Confirm your entry status and allowed activities

Check whether you entered visa-free, with VIVIS, VITEM or residence authorization and whether work is allowed.

Obtain your CPF

CPF is the key Brazilian tax/identity number used for banking, Pix, phones, rentals, online purchases, tax and many contracts.

Confirm student visa, university and health cover

International students need course documents, status, CPF, housing and health coverage aligned.

Activate Carteira de Trabalho Digital

Formal employment records are digital and linked to CPF/gov.br.

Confirm professional council registration

Regulated professions require local recognition or council registration before practice.

Prepare child documents and vaccination records

Schools and residence files need translated birth, custody and vaccination evidence.

Arrange car insurance before driving

Vehicle theft, collision, flood and third-party risks make comprehensive insurance important.

Prepare pet import and housing permission

Pets need vet/export paperwork, airline planning and written rental/condo permission.

Prepare annual IRPF filing

Residents may need to file Brazilian annual income tax return with worldwide income/assets.

Complete photographed move-in vistoria

Document every defect, appliance, wall, window, lock, meter, remote and furniture item before taking responsibility.

Arrange private health insurance or health plan

SUS exists, but expats usually rely on private networks for speed, language and predictable access.

Build a Brazilian proof-of-address pack

Banks, Federal Police, schools, health plans and phone providers repeatedly ask for proof of address.

Track passport, visa and CRNM validity

Banks, travel, Federal Police and employers can fail if documents expire.

Open a Brazilian bank account

A local account enables Pix, salary, rent, cards and daily payments. Foreigners often need CPF, address and residence/visa documents.

Set up Pix safely

Pix is essential for daily life but irreversible transfers make scam prevention critical.

Get a Brazilian SIM and keep WhatsApp active

A Brazilian number is needed for bank OTPs, delivery, landlords, doctors, ride-hailing and gov.br recovery.

Set a practical daily security routine

Big-city safety improves with normal habits: phone awareness, rideshare choices, ATM caution and route planning.

Learn your building recycling and waste routine

Condominiums and municipalities have different rules for recyclables, bulky waste and electronics.

Plan around Carnival and long holidays

Carnival and long weekends affect government offices, flights, hotels, schools and safety.

Join neighbourhood and expat groups

Local groups help with safety, outages, doctors, rentals, events and practical recommendations.

Test multiple cities before choosing a long-term base

Sao Paulo, Rio, Florianopolis, Curitiba, Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Salvador and Recife feel very different for expats.

Create a gov.br account

gov.br is the login for federal services including tax, INSS, digital work card and some immigration-related services.

Set bank and Pix transaction limits

Lower limits reduce damage from theft, coercion or phone compromise.

Shortlist schools before choosing housing

Traffic and school admissions can dominate family life in Sao Paulo, Rio and Brasilia.

Check first payslip for INSS, IRRF and FGTS

Formal CLT employees should see payroll tax/INSS deductions and employer FGTS deposits.

Budget ITBI, notary, registry and condominium costs

Brazilian buyer costs are cash-heavy and municipality/state dependent.

Check CPF credit status after opening accounts

Serasa/SPC entries can block rentals, phones, loans and bank products.

Do a January 2026 payroll and budget review

Minimum wage, INSS ceiling, IRPF table, rent indexation, school fees and health plans affect budgets.

Save emergency and neighbourhood safety contacts

Save police 190, SAMU 192, fire 193, CVV 188, building porter, insurer, embassy and trusted local contacts.

Map therapy, EAP and crisis support

Relocation stress and security anxiety are common. Know your support routes before crisis.

Prepare dengue and mosquito prevention

Dengue outbreaks are common in many regions, especially rainy periods.

Review vaccines for your region and travel plans

Yellow fever, dengue awareness and routine vaccines matter depending region and travel.

Choose your rental guarantee before apartment hunting

Landlords may require fiador, seguro-fianca, titulo de capitalizacao, caução or platform guarantee.

Inspect rental for security, flooding, noise and commute

Neighbourhood choice affects safety, transport, schools, flooding, delivery access and daily quality of life.

Set up utilities, internet and building access

Confirm electricity, water/gas, internet, condominium app, porter rules, parking and delivery process.

Start Brazilian Portuguese lessons

Portuguese is necessary for bureaucracy, healthcare, rentals, tradespeople and friendships.

Save protocol numbers for every cancellation or complaint

Brazilian telecom, banks, health plans and utilities rely heavily on protocol numbers.

Learn how to file police reports and use tourist police

Knowing boletim de ocorrência procedures helps with theft, insurance, documents and bank fraud.

Register with a local vet and 24h clinic

Find routine and emergency veterinary options before your pet is sick.

Register with your embassy or consulate

Embassy registration helps with security alerts, lost passports, elections and emergency assistance.

Choose your commuting plan

Commute mode affects neighbourhood choice, safety, budget and stress.

Prepare foreign licence, IDP and DETRAN plan

Visitors can often drive initially, but residents need to understand CNH/DETRAN requirements.

Check social safety-net benefits you may be entitled to

Formal employees may qualify for Seguro-Desemprego (unemployment insurance), salário-maternidade (maternity pay via INSS), auxílio por incapacidade (sickness benefit) and BPC disability allowance. Eligibility depends on INSS contributions, employment history and household income. Many expats miss payments they were entitled to.