Population
215M
Currency
Brazilian Real (BRL)
Languages
Portuguese
Capital
Brasilia
Cost of Living
34.81 (US 69.92)
(US 69.92)
Time (UTC)
UTC - 3
Government
Federal Presidential Republic

Hire in Brazil without an entity and fully compliant with local labor laws

Brazil is a Portuguese-speaking country with a strong economy and friendly people. The diverse population, geography, culture, and landscapes enthrall tourists year-round.

Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country, the third-largest in the Americas, and 4,250 miles from New York.

Get to know Brazil

Brazil covers half of South America and has the largest population on the continent. The climate is mainly tropical, and the landscape is vast and diverse. The rivers, marshes, mountains, and plateaus cross state and regional boundaries.

The country is one of the world's top tourist destinations. Brazilian culture is a colorful fusion of Portuguese, African, and indigenous influences, reflected in the country's irresistible samba beats and well-known Carnival celebration. Residents and visitors alike flock to soccer and volleyball games across the country. 

Brazil is a global powerhouse in mining, agriculture, and manufacturing, with a developing service sector. Top exports include crude oil, sugar cane, cars, and coffee. 

The World Bank classifies Brazil as an upper-middle-income economy with the following trade agreements and alliances:

Trade Agreements:

  • CAN - Andean Community of Nations
  • Mercosur - Mercado Común del Sur

Alliances:

  • BRICS Countries
  • CELAC - Community of Latin American and Caribbean States
  • G20 - Developing Nations
  • G20 - Group of Twenty
  • Latin Union
  • OAS - Organization of American States
  • UN - United Nations
  • USAN - Union of South American Nations
  • UNESCO
  • WTO - World Trade Organization

Entity requirements
Mandatory hiring contracts & clauses
Different compliance risks for full-time vs. contractor employees
Mandatory probationary periods
Allowable working hours & overtime wage laws
Timecard and attendance records
Required employer payroll, labor insurance, and tax payments
Discrimination protection
Notices & termination regulations

Budgeting for Brazilian employees

Employee Classification–Full-time vs Contractor

Full-time:

  • Direct subordination
  • Fixed salary and work hours
  • Benefits and paid leave

Contractor:

  • Provides independent and autonomous services
  • No fixed workplace 
  • Flexible hours
Employment Contracts

It is strongly recommended to execute a written contracts addressing:

  • Salary and benefits
  • Function
  • Working hours
  • Remuneration
  • Place of work
  • Procedure to offset extra working hours
  • Probation periods
  • Fixed terms
  • Employee's duties 
  • Company policies and standard practice
  • The possibility and conditions of travel and transfers
Probation Period

90 days

Standard Working Hours & Overtime
  • Eight hours per day 
  • 44 hours per week
  • Overtime hours = paid 50% of regular pay rate
  • Holiday overtime = paid 100% of regular pay rate

Payroll Frequency

15th and 30th day of each month

Wages & Bonuses
  • Minimum monthly wage = $225
  • 13th month pay

USD equivalent median salaries based on Role:

  • Data Scientist: $45,891
  • Electrical Engineer: $43,379
  • Hardware Engineer: $22,380
  • IT Manager: $50,880
  • Mobile Developer: $28,609
  • Product Manager: $54,914
  • Project Manager: $46,568
  • QA Engineer: $38,127
  • Software Engineer: $31,749
  • System Administrator: $23,776
  • UX Designer: $31,163
  • Web Developer: $27,250
Payroll Taxes & Employer Contributions
  • 7.5% - 14% Social Security Contribution
  • 7.5% - 27.5% Income Tax
Benefits

Health Insurance 

  • National Disability Insurance
  • Provided by the Brazilian Social Security System (INSS)
  • Employees are covered for injuries incurred while working or commuting to and from work, and for illnesses contracted due to working conditions.

Paid leave

Maternity 

  • 120 days

Paternity 

  • Five days

Vacation/PTO days

  • 30 days

Sick Days

  • 15 days

Additional Leave

  • Union official meetings
  • Bereavement leave = two-five days
  • Marriage leave  = three days
  • Voluntary blood donation = one day
  • Electoral registration = two days
  • Brazilian military service
  • Court proceedings

Additional Benefits

  • Phone allowance
  • Home office allowance
  • Drugstore allowance
  • Gas/auto allowance
  • Gym allowance

Holidays

Brazil celebrates 12 national (public) holidays and multiple observances a year. The most important fixed date holidays are:

  • New Year's Day (January 1)
  • Tiradentes Memorial Day (April 21)
  • Labor Day (May 1)
  • Independence Day (September 7)
  • Christmas Day (December 25)
Termination & Severance

Notice Periods

  • 30 days

Severance Payments

Termination without cause or constructive dismissal

  • Balance of wages for current pay period
  • Proportional payment for untaken holidays and 13th month bonus
  • Access to the funds deposited in the Brazilian Government Severance Indemnity Fund Law (FGTS)
  • Any payments due under collective agreements
  • Any other benefit provided under the employment contract

Termination with cause

  • Balance of their wages for current pay period
  • Unused holiday pay 
  • Proportional 13th month salary

Termination with cause

An employer can dismiss an employee with cause for reasons including but not limited to:

  • Gross misconduct
  • Improper act or lack of self-restraint
  • Direct or indirect competition with the employer or with its activities
  • Definitive prosecution of the employee
  • Dereliction of duties
  • Ongoing drunkenness or drug abuse
  • Breach of a trade secret
  • Failure to obey the orders of the employer, or non-compliance with the employer's general policies
  • Abandoning a job
  • Acts that damage any colleague's or superior's honor or reputation, or cause physical injury, unless in the employee's or someone else's legitimate defense
  • Constant gambling
  • Loss of the driver's license or of the legal requirements established for the exercise of the profession, as a result of intentional conduct of the employee
  • Acts detrimental to national security

And a few fun facts about Brazil…

  • There are seven natural and 14 cultural UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Brazil.
  • There are 72 national parks in Brazil, the most in all the Americas, and predominantly located in the northern part of the country. 
  • In 1972, Brazilian Andreas Pavel invented the "stereo belt," a portable music player later renamed the "Walkman."
  • Brazil produces more than 55 million bags of coffee each year. 
  • There are more than 400 airports in Brazil.

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