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These days, it's difficult to survive without an internet connection. Fortunately, internet coverage is pretty good in most regions of Brazil these days. It's easily accessible if you have a computer or a mobile phone. There are more options than ever before, and therefore, prices have come down a bit. Speeds may be a bit more erratic than the usual and outages a bit more common, but in metropolitan areas, service is adequate to good. In recent years, the speed's improved massively.

It's much easier these days to get a cell phone in Brazil, and phones and calling plans are inexpensive. Landlines are fast disappearing, as they are elsewhere around the world, but are also inexpensive should you want one. VOIP technology makes staying in touch with those back home much easier and cheaper than it was just a few years ago.

If you‘re moving to Brazil for a short time, then you can use your national driving license. However, if you plan to settle in Brazil (meaning you'll live there for over six months), and especially, if you plan to own a car, you may want to obtain a Brazilian license, which entails several steps.

If you earn income in Brazil, you'll have to pay a graduated tax to the Receita Federal, Brazil's federal taxing authority. Capital gains, on the sale of property in Brazil, are also subject to tax. Even if you pay tax in Brazil, you may also still have a tax liability and need to file a return in your previous country of residence. Taxation can quickly become complicated, especially when multiple taxing authorities are involved, so if you're earning income in Brazil, you're strongly encouraged to consult an expert versed in international taxation.

Bureaucracy is deeply rooted in Brazil, and this is never more evident than when dealing with banks. Be aware that until you have an official residency card, such as an RNE (Registro Nacional de Estrangeiros), you won't be able to open a bank account in Brazil (not even a simple savings account). Once you have proof of legal residency in Brazil, visit the bank where you'd like to open an account to determine what documentation you need to provide. The exact documentation can vary a bit depending on the bank and type of account you'd like to open.

Brazil is a vast and diverse country, so it should come as no surprise that there are a variety of lodging options here. In some areas, it's easy to find decent, reasonably priced accommodation, but in others, you'll need money and patience. The good news: There are more options available today than ever before. In this introduction to accommodation in Brazil, we look at several of these and at the common types of rental contracts.

Brasilia, the country's federal capital, is home to many highly-paid government employees and foreign nationals. In this white-collar economy, high salaries are one factor driving up the price of accommodation, which is rated to be the third-highest in the country. Still, with a population of over 4.6 million, the city does offer opportunities for accommodation. Before beginning your search for accommodation in Brasília, first read Expat.com's Accommodation in Brazil section.

With an official population of about seven million people, and almost twice that number in the metro area, Rio de Janeiro is the second-largest Brazilian city, after São Paulo. Nicknamed “The Marvelous City”, Rio de Janeiro also attracts huge numbers of tourists each year. As you'll be competing with many others for accommodation, finding a reasonably-priced place to live in a nice part of the city can be a challenge. But where you live is very important in Rio, so give apartment-hunting the time and effort it deserves. Before beginning your search for accommodation in Rio, first read Expat.com's Accommodation in Brazil section.

São Paulo is Brazil's largest city by far. It offers a wide variety of accommodations with different levels of comfort and for all budgets. If you're making a short stay in the region, you could stay in a hotel or a serviced residence flat. Otherwise, you could opt for an apartment or perhaps a shared house. Before beginning your search for accommodation in São Paulo, first read Expat.com's Accommodation in Brazil section.

Recife, located on the northeast coast of Brazil, on the tip jutting out into the South Atlantic, is one of Brazil's oldest cities. But today, it's a major trade and trans-shipping hub in the region. Recife offers many accommodation options, and for a city its size, housing is inexpensive, despite an influx of foreigners over the last several years. Before beginning your search for accommodation in Recife, have a look at Expat.com's Accommodation in Brazil section.

Salvador, the capital of the state of Bahia and Brazil's first colonial capital, is a world-known tourist destination. Located in the northeast of the country on the South Atlantic coast, it's very popular, thanks to its beautiful sand beaches, its colonial architecture, and its preservation of African traditions, which are apparent in its distinctive food, clothing, religions, and music. Salvador today is a large city of three million, in a virtual tie with Brasilia for status as the third-largest city in Brazil. Before beginning your search for accommodation in Salvador de Bahia, first read Expat.com's Accommodation in Brazil section.

Pursuing a course of study in Brazil can be a great addition to your CV; it can be fun, interesting, and exciting too. As the largest country in Latin America, Brazil is growing in importance in the world, and completing your studies here, or being part of an exchange study program, can benefit you professionally. Brazil has many good universities offering a variety of courses, many of which are open to international students. However, while some courses may be taught in English, you'll need to have a good grasp of Portuguese to be accepted into a study program in Brazil.

It's better to get a job from abroad if you want to work in Brazil. In this article, find useful information to guide you in your search. To obtain a work visa in Brazil, you're advised to find a job before moving. You may consult job offers from Brazilian economic missions nearest to you or from foreign chambers of commerce operating in Brazil. Moreover, you have to gather concrete information on the labor market and on occupational regulations or on settlement procedures if you want to set up your own business there.

In recent years, Brazil suffered through an economic recession and a government austerity program. Still, Brazil possesses the world's 12th-largest economy, so there are jobs for those who qualify. Foreigners wishing to work in Brazil will need to have skills not readily available within Brazil. Also, many jobs will require at least a working knowledge of Portuguese. Another route, if you don't possess an in-demand skill set, is to seek permanent residency, which will grant you the right to work legally in Brazil.

With a population of more than 212 million and a growing middle class, Brazil represents many investment opportunities. Real estate, tourism, restaurants and bars, and private schools represent some of the possibilities. However, Brazil remains a highly bureaucratic country that isn't especially conducive to business. Be sure to do your due diligence before launching any business endeavor here. You can begin educating yourself at the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Taxes.

Brazil is a huge, diverse, and interesting country. It's fully half of South America, whether measured in terms of geography, population, or economy. It could be a great place to spend some time developing your skills and adding to your CV. Consider studying Portuguese before you come to Brazil for your internship, as it's likely to be a requirement for your work, and you'll need it in day-to-day dealings.

While Brazil is still struggling somewhat and is recovering economically, Brasília's white-collar economy presents one of the best opportunities to land a well-paid job in Brazil. Many Brazilian and international companies have offices here. While you'll still typically need a work visa to work here legally, if you have the right skills, you'll have a chance at winning a job in this modern city. You can begin by reviewing Expat.com's general guidelines for working in Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro is Brazil's largest commercial center after São Paulo. With a diversified economy, it offers jobs for those with the requisite skill sets, and it can also offer a high quality of life. But if you'd like to work there, you're advised to begin your search for a job from abroad. You can start by reviewing Expat.com's general guidelines for working in Brazil.

São Paulo is Brazil's largest economic center by far, with many Brazilian firms headquartered here, as well the offices of dozens of multinational companies. The state of São Paulo has large agricultural and manufacturing components, and the capital city of São Paulo is its financial heart. São Paulo is without question the premier financial center of Brazil and South America. With its diversified economy and large services sector, it offers jobs for those with the requisite skill sets. It can also offer an excellent quality of life. But if you'd like to work there, you're advised to begin your search for a job from abroad. You can begin by reviewing Expat.com's general guidelines for working in Brazil.

Recife is the capital of the northeastern state of Pernambuco. With a population of 1.6 million (more than double that of in the metropolitan area), Recife is the eighth-largest city in Brazil. It presents possibly the best opportunity for expats who'd like to live in Brazil's sunny Northeast.

Belo Horizonte (“Beautiful Horizon” in Portuguese) is the capital of the state of Minas Gerais. “BH,” as the locals call it, is one of Brazil's largest cities, with a population of over 2.7 million, not counting the many university students who pervade the city. While BH lies in the interior, far from the beaches, it's a vibrant city with its own personality, a mix of the old and the new. It possesses a diversified economy and is worth a look if you aren't yet decided on a destination. Home to several large universities, “BH” has a youthful energy, despite its long history. But if you'd like to work there, you're advised to begin your search for a job from abroad. You can begin by reviewing Expat.com's general guidelines for working in Brazil.

Curitiba attracts many foreigners, who come both for work and because Curitiba offers a high standard of living. Many foreign companies have offices and facilities in Curitiba. But if you'd like to work there, you're advised to begin your search for a job from abroad. You can start by reviewing Expat.com's general guidelines for working in Brazil.

Fortaleza is the capital city of the northeastern state of Ceará and is Brazil's fifth-largest city with a year-round population of about 2.7 million (4 million in the metro area). Located on a long and lovely stretch of coast, and blessed with good weather, the greater Fortaleza area is a highly popular destination for both Brazilian and European vacationers. It's also a large regional trade and transportation center. However, it's not a financial center on the order of São Paulo or Rio, and fewer multinationals are represented here, so expatriate job seekers will need to have persistence and knowledge of Portuguese. You can begin your search for a job in Fortaleza by reviewing Expat.com's general guidelines for working in Brazil.

Salvador de Bahia has long been one of Brazil's leading economic centers. The economy today is diversifying, and there are jobs. But as an expat, you'll need specialized skills to land one. If you'd like to work in Salvador, you're advised to begin your search for a job from abroad. You can begin by reviewing Expat.com's general guidelines for working in Brazil.

Brazil is a huge and diverse country just waiting to be explored. But before you book your hotel and flight, check whether you'll need to apply for a visa.

Finding legal work in Brazil can be difficult. But it's possible if you meet certain specific qualifications and obtain a signed work contract from a company that'll sponsor you. However, be sure to begin your job search from your home country. It's not advisable to move to Brazil and assume that you'll find a job after you've relocated.

Brazil is the largest country in South America, as well as Latin America. It's an attractive place to visit due to its diverse topography, from its beaches to the Amazon rainforest, the culture, and cuisine. Below is some information to make your travel to Brazil easier.

Brazil can be a romantic country, and you may want to marry here. Perhaps you even want to remain in Brazil afterward. But if you choose to get married in Brazil, you'll need to follow the steps outlined under Brazilian law carefully.

Originally from the Netherlands, Angelique had been an expat in Belgium since 2008 until she moved to Taiwan in 2017. As her husband's two-year contract was renewed, she stayed for two more years until August 2021 when they finally moved back to their home country. She talks to us about the challenges of returning home, especially amid the pandemic, and the positive side of it.

Angelica is originally from Verbania, Italy. It's been nearly ten years since she moved to the UK, hungry for independence and new experiences. She has also spent a year in Germany for her studies before going back to the UK and is currently in the process of obtaining British citizenship. She talks to us about living in London as an expat between Brexit and the Covid pandemic.

When studying abroad, it's always a bit hard to know in advance exactly what it will be like. As such, it's well worth thoroughly researching everything beforehand, so that you have a better idea of what you can expect. As a city, Brussels has everything you could want as a student: fantastic universities, a vibrant cultural scene as well as a lively nightlife and every year thousands of international students head to the capital to begin their studies. To give you an idea of what's on offer, here is an overview of student life in Brussels.

Roxana has had wanderlust since a very young age. While Zanzibar has been the land of her dreams, she finally ended up in Mexico after staying in New York. A single expat mum, she keeps herself busy in taking care of her daughter and an educational initiative dedicated to making linguistic education accessible for marginalized communities. 

Originally from England, Kim had never heard of El Salvador before moving there. It is her love, met online, that led her miles away from her country. Today, they have three children and a cosy family life in Latin America. Kim talks to Expat.com about her adventure.

Kasia was born in Poland but moved to Canada with her parents at the age of 8. After growing up in Canada, she travelled to Australia in her late 20s and stayed there for 15 years, and worked in the Asia Pacific region for 6 years before going back to Canada. Today, Kasia is an International Leadership & Career Coach who helps expat entrepreneurs become the leaders of tomorrow.

Alone but not lonely. Solo female expats are on the rise, and as the world is striving towards gender equality, many women show that their ambitions have no geographical limits. Deciding to start a journey in a new country has all the elements an adventure needs: adrenaline, excitement and even a healthy amount of fear. If you are ahead of a similar journey, you should consider some safety dos and don'ts in order to make your new experience joyful and smooth. 

Originally from Philadelphia, Sara has quite an interesting story to tell. On travelling to Mexico for the first time when she was 18, she immediately fell in love with the country. Today, she lives in Veracruz with her multicultural family. From an English teacher before the pandemic, she converted into a publisher and is enjoying being an entrepreneur.

Originally from Ecuador, Andrea is a mom and lawyer who has been living in the Netherlands for nine years now. After the country introduced a travel ban for family members from outside the European Union, she started a campaign for helping expat children in the Netherlands reunite with their parents and grandparents. But in May 2021, the government finally lifted this entry ban under certain conditions. Andrea talks to Expat.com about the impact of this campaign and expat children's rights in the Netherlands.

It's been more than a decade since Marcie, a US expat, has been following her spouse around the world for his career. The COVID-19 pandemic has got her stuck in California as her husband prepares for a solo move to Shanghai. Marcie talks to us about her adventures around the world and a book she recently wrote about marriage and compromise for trailing spouses.

For Sarah, an American expat, being a trailing spouse is far from being a boring life. She is an art director, designer, illustrator, photographer and all-around creative guru based in Austria, where she relocated in October 2020. She talks to us about her new life in her host country amid the pandemic.

Lin is originally from China. She relocated to Belgium in 2009 on a student exchange program and fell in love with the country. In spite of the language barrier and cultural challenges, she made it and shares her expat experience with Expat.com.

It's been more than a decade since Laura, who is of Spanish origin, relocated abroad. She currently lives in Australia, a country she fell in love with during a trip from New Zealand. Today, Laura is a Purpose Coach & Expat Mentor in Sydney. She talks to us about her new expats adventure amid the pandemic.

Alexandra is a Romanian expat who followed her spouse to Berlin for his career, but that doesn't make her a trailing spouse. A diplomatic spouse rather, who is always busy volunteering, writing books and articles, and taking care of her family. She talks to us about her reality.

A new increase in the number of cases of COVID-19, Janssen vaccine considered for children and a new anticyclone in the region ... Here's what's happening in Mauritius in this last week of July.

Joanna is a Pole expat who has had a great passion for travel for many years. Today, she is based in Qatar, following her Tunisian husband, who had a job there. She talks to us about that turning point in her life and the lifestyle she really enjoys in Qatar.

Opening a bank account is one of the first things you'll need to do in Cyprus. Thankfully, the banking system in Cyprus is very sophisticated and friendly towards expats. Opening a bank account is straightforward and hassle-free, and you can choose between numerous local banks or one of the many international bank branches you will find on the island. What is best, you can even begin the banking process before you even arrive in Cyprus.

If you plan to live, work or do business in the Maldives, you will need a bank account. Is it easy for expats to open bank accounts in the country? What are the related procedures and expenses? Find out in this article.

New expats in Kenya will wish to open a bank account, necessary for receiving wages from your employer and for making local purchases. The process to open a new account in Kenya is straightforward and easy to do, or many international banks also have branches in Kenya- check with your local bank before relocating to see if you can access their services in your new country.

If you are moving to Tanzania, it is likely that you are going to want to set up a bank account, especially if you are locally employed. The African country is renowned for having safe and secure banking procedures, ensuring utmost privacy and facilitating high-security transactions. This article will explore the area of banking and finance in Tanzania, and will provide useful and practical tips for getting your finances in order when you enter the country.

The country that offers the opportunity to people from all over the world to become e-residents and create their own business without setting foot on its soil could not possibly trouble herself with such mundane issues as going to an actual bank, or withdrawing cash from an ATM. In fact, most Estonians have never seen a bank cheque in their lives -- and in 99% of the cases, they use their debit cards instead of cash. It's no wonder then that LHV, one of the four major commercial banks in the country, just doesn't deal with cash at all. Here's how to navigate your banking needs in this entirely digital world.

In Finland, as is the case in all Nordic countries, the card is king. Debit card, that is. Finns use them to pay for goods and services in shops and almost everywhere -- with the exception of petrol stations, where cash is mysteriously still preferred. Indeed, cash is secondary which can be easily surmised by the lack of ATM machines in most banks (instead, look for the OTTO machines throughout the country). The good news is, you can get your own debit card very easily and without excessive documentation.