Planning a workation in Rio de Janeiro? Or a business trip to São Paulo or Salvador? Learn the essential information you and your employees need to work safely and compliantly while traveling in Brazil, including working conditions, safety and health regulations, tax treaties, social security, and more.
Capital city
Brasília
Telephone code
+55
Official language
Portuguese
Currency
Brazilian Real (BRL)
Time zone
Main: UTC-3
Social security compliance
When working remotely abroad, your employees may become subject to the social security scheme of the destination country, which means you, as an employer, would need to pay social security premiums accordingly. Brazil has social security agreements with several countries to prevent the payment of double social security premiums or non-insurance, access the list of countries here.
To ensure your employees remain compliant with these treaties, they must possess a valid Certificate of Coverage (CoC) obtained from the relevant local authorities. For WorkFlex users, the CoC is issued automatically after a trip request is submitted. Discover our solution for efficient social security risk mitigation here.
Tax compliance
Brazil has signed bilateral tax treaties with numerous countries, available here, that specify the steps to take to avoid double taxation. These treaties generally follow international standards and provide guidelines for various types of income, including employment income.
Despite the existence of tax treaties, the issue of Permanent Establishment remains a significant compliance concern for employers with employees temporarily working in Brazil. If a traveling employee is deemed to constitute a Permanent Establishment in Brazil, the employer may be required to:
- Register the company locally
- Allocate profits to the local business (branch)
- File corporate taxes
- Comply with various local regulations
To avoid this scenario, follow the guidelines mentioned in the "Do's and Don'ts to avoid tax risks" section above.
Overriding local employment provisions
Employees traveling to Brazil are expected to comply with some basic local employment provisions that may be qualified as overriding, such as minimum salary standards. Please find the recent information about minimum salary in Brazil here.
Visa
To work legally while in another country, employees generally need a valid work title. It's important to keep in mind that the consequences of entering without the proper documentation can be significant for both the employee and the employer.
For those planning work-from-anywhere trips to Brazil, here's a quick overview:
- Visa-free Entrance: Available to many nationalities, including EU countries and Mercosur members.
- E-Visa: From 2025, available for select countries including US, Canada, and Australia, valid for 10 years.
- Standard Visa: Required for nationalities not eligible for e-visa or visa-free entry, obtained through Brazilian consulates.
- Visa on Arrival: Not available - all required visas must be obtained before travel.
- Digital Nomad Visa: Brazil offers a Digital Nomad Visa (VITEM XIV), introduced in 2022, allowing remote workers to stay and work legally in the country for up to two years (1-year initial period with possible extension).
For a trip-specific visa information, check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
For those planning a business trip to Brazil, here's what you need to know:
- E-Visa: Will be available from 2025 for select nationalities.
- Visa-Free Entry: Available to many nationalities, including EU and Mercosur countries.
- Business Visa: Required for activities not covered by visa-free entry.
- Visa on Arrival: Not available for business travelers.
For a trip-specific visa information, check out WorkFlex Visa Navigator.
Working hours
Most employees in Brazil work from Monday to Friday, with a standard workweek consisting of 44 hours. The workday is typically running from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with a lunch break of 1 hour in between.
To remain compliant during your trip abroad, here are some suggestions to follow:
- Avoid working overtime: Regulations regarding overtime can differ significantly and may be much stricter compared to those in your home country.
- Refrain from working outside regular hours: The rules surrounding working outside regular hours may vary and could be stricter than in your home country.
- Do not work on weekends: If the weekend days differ from those in your home country, please avoid working on both your regular weekend days and the local weekend days.
Public holidays
National holidays:
- January 1: New Year's Day
- February/March: Carnival (variable dates)
- April 21: Tiradentes Day
- May 1: Labor Day
- September 7: Independence Day
- October 12: Our Lady of Aparecida
- November 2: All Souls' Day
- November 15: Republic Proclamation Day
- December 25: Christmas Day
Depending on the region you're visiting, there may be additional region-specific public holidays. For more information about these holidays, please check here.
To comply with labor laws, please refrain from working on national or regional holidays during your trip. These days hold significant importance for locals and provide a great opportunity for you to blend in and celebrate with the community.
Working activities
When considering travel for work purposes—whether for a workation or a business trip—it is crucial to understand the implications of Permanent Establishment (PE) and associated tax risks. PE is a significant compliance concern for companies and can become costly due to the administrative burden if the compliance requirements for employees working abroad are not properly managed. To help mitigate these risks, here are a few guidelines to follow.
If you are traveling for a workation, please:
- Refrain from negotiating or signing sales contracts during your trip.
- Avoid visiting clients or any office, including your employer's local office in the destination country.
Following these guidelines will help mitigate the important compliance risks related to Permanent Establishment for your employer.
If you are a business traveler, it may be difficult to avoid the activities mentioned above. In this case, please ensure you inform your employer's compliance department about this matter. If you and your organization are WorkFlex users, this topic is addressed through the WorkFlex platform.
Data protection
Data protection is fundamentally about keeping our information safe from unauthorized access, breaches, theft, or damage. This responsibility is important for everyone, regardless of where they are working.
When employees work temporarily from abroad, data protection involves ensuring continued coverage and compliance with the data protection regulations of both, the home country and the destination country. Brazil has implemented the Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (LGPD) in 2020. Its level of regulation and enforcement is characterized moderate. That means the legal framework provides adequate data protection but may lack comprehensive scope, enforcement, or detail. While key areas are covered, certain sectors or practices remain less regulated. Learn more about it here.
For WorkFlex users, a comprehensive list of data protection activities is available in the profile, but here are some general data protection guidelines to keep your data safe:
- Adhere to Your Company's Internal Data Policies: Familiarize yourself with and follow your organization’s specific data protection protocols.
- Use Secure Network Connections: Always connect through secure networks, especially when accessing sensitive information.
- Be Aware of Phishing: Stay vigilant against phishing attempts by verifying the authenticity of emails and messages before clicking on any links.
- Utilize Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication: Create complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.
- Keep Your Devices in a Secure Location: Always store your devices in safe places to prevent unauthorized access.
- Lock Your Screen Whenever Applicable: Ensure your screen is locked when you're away from your device to protect your information.
Local emergency phone
192 (Medical), 190 (Police)
Vaccination
Guidelines
Drinking potable water
Not recommended
Travel health insurance
When traveling to Brazil for work—whether for a short business trip or an extended workation—it's essential to have comprehensive health insurance coverage to ensure access to medical care.
For business trips, the employer typically arranges the employee's travel health insurance. However, for workations, these responsibilities can be less clear. WorkFlex takes care of travel health insurance for trips worldwide to ensure there are no costly consequences for either the employee or the employer if accidents occur while working abroad.
For travelers using WorkFlex
If you’re traveling with WorkFlex, comprehensive health insurance is automatically included if your employer has activated this feature. For more details, please refer to your trip request on the WorkFlex platform.
For other travelers
Ensure you have travel health insurance with worldwide coverage, whether for a workation or business trip, so that you can receive adequate medical treatment in case of an emergency.
Urgent safety information
For travelers using WorkFlex:
Please refer to your trip's risk assessment under the "Health and Security" dimension to review any urgent security information relevant to your travel.
For other travelers:
Please visit official authority websites to check for any current threats or urgent security advisories:
Terrorism
Follow the general cautionary measures.
Domestic political situation
Due to the ongoing crisis in Venezuela, coupled with issues of gang crime, smuggling, and the movement of refugees, the presence of security forces in the region is limited. Travelers are strongly advised to avoid the immediate border area, as closures may happen unexpectedly.
- Stay updated through local media.
- Avoid demonstrations and large crowds.
- Follow local security forces’ instructions.
- Refrain from travel or stays near the border region with Venezuela.
Crime
Crime rates and the risk of violent crimes, including robberies, are high in Brazil, especially in major cities such as Belém, Fortaleza, Maceio, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, São Luiz, and São Paulo. Slum areas (favelas) are particularly dangerous due to gang and drug-related violence, with police operations often leading to bystander casualties. Criminal incidents are common in quieter city streets, beaches, and roads leading to airports.
General safety recommendations:
- Secure important documents, and store electronic copies/photos.
- Use cashless payments; carry minimal cash and avoid valuables.
- Avoid flashy clothing, visible watches, or smartphones in public.
- Always have a small amount of cash to surrender if robbed.
- Avoid leaving drinks unattended in bars or similar venues.
- Do not invite casual acquaintances to your hotel.
- Avoid long-distance travel at night to minimize the risk of staged accidents or carjackings.
- Keep car windows closed, doors locked, and valuables out of sight when driving.
- Be extra vigilant at traffic lights and in slow traffic.
- Use the middle lane on roads with multiple lanes.
- Prefer taxis to public transport at night.
- Verify online travel offers and avoid suspicious luggage from strangers.
- Be cautious with unsolicited communications (emails, calls, prize notifications).
Rio de Janeiro
- The entire city, including popular areas like Copacabana, Ipanema, and Lapa, has frequent thefts and muggings.
- Perpetrators often target mobile phones, jewelry, and credit cards.
- Credit card skimming and fraud, especially in taxis, is common.
- The city center is unsafe after business hours, weekends, and public holidays.
- Favelas frequently experience shootings that may harm bystanders.
- Prefer group hikes on well-marked trails.
- Avoid nighttime beach walks and paying by card in taxis.
- Do not visit any favelas, even in the South Zone.
São Paulo
- The historic center, including areas like Praça da Sé, is unsafe at night and during non-business hours.
- Estação da Luz and nearby areas should be avoided during these times.
- Armed robberies and express kidnappings occur, even in upscale areas.
- Caution is advised city-wide, including upscale neighborhoods.
Northeast Brazil
- The region, particularly Bahia and its capital Salvador, has the highest violent crime rates.
- Drug gangs and police clashes are common.
- Cities like Fortaleza, Natal, and Recife are among the most dangerous globally.
- Armed robberies targeting tourists and private vehicles are not uncommon.
- Avoid displaying valuables, stay vigilant during the day, and prefer taxis or rideshare services over public transport.
- Refrain from walking at night or taking overnight bus trips.
Brazil has diverse climate zones:
Tropical Zone (North/Northeast):
- Hot and humid year-round
- Temperatures 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F)
- Wet and dry seasons vary by region
Subtropical Zone (South):
- Four distinct seasons
- Summer (December-February): 25°C to 35°C (77°F to 95°F)
- Winter (June-August): 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F)
- More moderate temperatures
Coastal Areas:
- High humidity
- Moderated temperatures
- Sea breezes
- Occasional rainfall
Airports
São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
- Location: São Paulo
- When to use: Main international hub, excellent connections worldwide
Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport (GIG)
- Location: Rio de Janeiro
- When to use: Major international gateway, tourist destinations
Brasília International Airport (BSB)
- Location: Brasília
- When to use: Central Brazil access, government center
Train stations
Limited passenger rail service for long-distance travel.
Ride-hailing services
- Uber
- 99
- Cabify
Public transportation
Metro systems
- São Paulo: Extensive metro and train network
- Rio de Janeiro: Metro and suburban trains
- Other major cities: Growing networks
Buses
- Extensive urban bus networks
- Interstate bus services
- Executive bus services available