The positive aspects of Brazilian life
In 2022, nearly 16,000 French people were living in Brazil1. If so many French people decide to settle here, it’s for a good reason… In fact, there are several.Friendliness: what’s the Brazilian mentality?
Smiles from ear to ear, samba and laughter, Brazil is renowned for the warmth of its people, their welcome and their sociability. Brazilians are extremely welcoming, curious and smiling. They are also known for their unfailing optimism. Despite the country’s inequalities, Brazilians are a happy people. The land of the samba offers an incomparable joie de vivre, especially during the carnival season around Rio de Janeiro or Salvador de Bahia. However, one thing is certain: to come and live in this country, we recommend that you speak Portuguese, or at least know a few vocabulary words. If you don’t, communication is likely to be complicated. In fact, if you want to work in the country, we strongly recommend that you speak or at least know Portuguese.Cultural diversity
Brazil is also famous for its cultural and ethnic diversity. It’s what makes the country so beautiful, and one of its greatest prides. Brazilian culture is a blend of Portuguese, African, Italian, Dutch, Spanish and, of course, Latin American cultures. It’s a country worth discovering, and you shouldn’t hesitate to find out more about its history. You can appreciate this cultural diversity through the cities, the structures, the people and the food. Indeed, Brazil offers a rich, diverse and very important gastronomy. Brazil is truly a colorful country!A favorable climate
Brazil is a huge country, but most of it lies in the tropics. This means that the sun shines in Brazil almost all year round, wherever you decide to settle. Brazil has two main seasons: the rainy season (from March to around May) and a drier (but still relatively wet) season. Rio’s average year-round temperature is between 21°C and 27°C.Natural beauty
Paradise beaches of white sand, wild islands, the Amazon rainforest, the tropical rainforest, bustling cities: Brazil is so big (15 times the size of France, after all) that there’s something for everyone. It’s a vast playground for nature loversSantexpat.fr, la nouvelle façon de
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The challenges and drawbacks of living in Brazil
If the image of Brazil were limited to these positive points, expatriates would be much more numerous. Unfortunately, the country also suffers from social, environmental and security problems.
Economic and social inequalities
Brazil is unfortunately subject to significant economic and social disparities. A large proportion of the population lives in poverty, while a small (and more elitist) segment of the population holds the lion’s share of the country’s wealth. And all this translates into unequal access to education, healthcare and other essential services (food, housing). Another result is that the disadvantaged neighborhoods of Brazil’s major cities, such as Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, offer difficult living conditions and sometimes high crime rates.
Violence and safety
As we said, the country’s great disparities inevitably create tensions. Underprivileged neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Recife and other major cities, for example, offer difficult living conditions and, inevitably, sometimes high crime rates. To cope with these problems, many people opt for very strict security measures and decide to live in closed neighborhoods, or hire private security guards, which further deepens inequalities in the country.
However, it’s important to keep things in perspective. We’re talking here about certain regions, certain districts of certain cities. Don’t assume that the whole country is dangerous, or that an entire city should be avoided because of its high crime rate. As with everything, it’s important to keep things in perspective. Yes, there are crime and safety concerns in the country, but this is not the case everywhere and all the time.
Environmental problems
Unfortunately, the country is also faced with major environmental problems: deforestation of the Amazon, in particular, is having a major impact on biodiversity and the climate. Air and water pollution is a problem in some urban areas, with consequences for people’s health. And all these environmental concerns have been at the heart of political debates in recent years.
How much will it cost to live in Brazil?
The country has been developing rapidly for several years now. It’s growing and gaining in economic importance. In fact, if you want to live in Brazil, it won’t be difficult to find a job. But what does this mean in terms of cost of living?
Accommodation
Most French expatriates settle in Brazil’s major cities for the diversity of jobs and better salaries. Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia are the preferred cities for expatriates. That said, life in these cities is also generally more expensive than in the rest of the country. Especially when it comes to housing. That said, accommodation is not really a problem, as the supply is wide and varied. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around €5572.
Food and drink
Generally speaking, whether in supermarkets, grocery stores or restaurants, food is less expensive in Brazil than in France: restaurants cost 52% less than in France, and food 38% less than in France2. To give you an example, a 3-course dinner in a restaurant cost an average of €13 per person in September 2023. It’s possible to eat well, for less than in France, to have access to good produce (more tropical fruit and vegetables), and to eat out regularly on a reasonable budget.
Health
Health care in Brazil is a key factor to consider before moving here. The system is divided into a public and a private sector. Brazilians have free, universal health insurance (SUS, Sistema unico de saude), which gives access to care in public hospitals. That said, health care is basic and waiting times are very long.
The private sector is largely present (nearly 70% of the country’s hospitals are private). The quality of care is far superior, but prices are high. So, to ensure access to quality care, it is strongly recommended that you take out international private insurance. To put it simply, a medical consultation with a general practitioner in Brazil will cost an average of around one hundred euros.
Average monthly budget for living in Brazil (in €)
| Expense item | Detail | Average cost in € | Comparison with France |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (1 bedroom, city center) | Apartment in São Paulo, Rio or Brasilia | 557 € | ~ Same as in some French cities |
| Food | Monthly groceries for 1 person | ~180 € | -38% lower than in France |
| Restaurant (3-course meal) | For 1 person | 13 € | -52% compared to France |
| Health (private consultation) | GP consultation (excluding insurance) | 100 € | Similar to or slightly less expensive than in France |
| Private health insurance | International, for expatriates (depending on coverage) | 80 à 200 € | Depends on options chosen |
Remarks:– The cost of living varies greatly from city to city: Rio and São Paulo are more expensive than other regions.– Private health insurance is highly recommended to benefit from quality care in private clinics and hospitals.– Overall purchasing power is often higher than in France for expatriates, thanks to lower prices on food and leisure activities.
Which is the best city to live in Brazil?
A study carried out by the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil’s National Institute of Science and Technology found that it was more pleasant to live in a medium-sized city in the south of the country, mainly in the state of Sao Paulo. The study evaluated an index of urban well-being based on: urban mobility, environmental conditions, housing stock, public infrastructure and public services. According to the study, the poorly rated cities were mainly located in the north of the country.
The fact is, Brazil is a huge, diverse country. It’s far too big to be reduced to a single culture. Every region is unique and different. You won’t have the same experience whether you decide to settle in Rio de Janeiro, on the Sao Paulo coast, in northern Brazil, at the gateway to the Amazon in Belém or in Brasilia. So, before you leave, it’s a good idea to find out all you can about Brazilian cities and their specific characteristics.
Interested in experiencing Brazil? Don’t forget that you need a visa to leave. A work visa, to work in the country, or another temporary visa.
1. Source: Registre des Français établis hors de France.
2. Combien ça coûte, September 2023.
