Moving to Brazil: residence options for families, remote workers and retirees

Brazil offers several ways to live in the country legally for the long term. For the families and individuals who contact us, three routes come up again and again. Here they are, with the requirements as published at the time of writing (October 2026).

Digital nomad visa (remote work)

For people who work remotely for employers or clients outside Brazil. You need to show either a monthly income of at least US$1,500 from a foreign source, or at least US$18,000 in available funds. The visa is granted for one year and can be renewed for a second year.

Good fit for: families where one or both parents work remotely and want to try life in Brazil before committing.

Retiree visa

For people receiving a pension. The requirement is a monthly retirement income of at least US$2,000 that can be transferred to Brazil. It leads to residence for an indefinite period.

Good fit for: retirees looking for a calmer pace, a mild climate and a lower cost of living.

Residence through property investment

Since 2018, foreigners can obtain residence by investing their own funds from abroad in Brazilian property. The minimum is R$1,000,000, or R$700,000 for property in the North and Northeast regions, which include Ceará. The property must be in an urban area and already built or under construction. Residence is first granted for two years and can then become indefinite if you keep the property.

Buying land alone does not qualify: the threshold applies to built property or property under construction. The plots on our estate are urban, so a plot plus a home built on it can count toward this route, depending on the total value.

Family members

In general, the spouse or partner and children of a residence holder can apply as dependants through family reunion. Each person needs their own documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, apostilled and translated.

Documents you will almost always need

• A valid passport
• A criminal record certificate from your country, apostilled
• Proof of income or funds, depending on the route
• Certified translations into Portuguese

Where to start

Choose the route that matches your situation today, not the one that sounds best on paper. Many families start with the digital nomad visa while their home is being built, then switch to another route later. Before applying, confirm the current rules with the Brazilian consulate for your country or with an immigration lawyer, as thresholds and procedures change.

Relocation and visa support are part of the service we offer buyers on the estate.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules change: confirm the current requirements with a lawyer or the Brazilian consulate before acting.