Relocating to Brazil from the UK is a bold and exciting move, especially if you are bringing your family. The Brazilian climate, environment, and culture are quite different from what you and your children may be used to in the UK, so in this article will look at the main differences and what you should know before planning your move.
Language
The national language of Brazil is Portuguese, and although some people speak English in the big cities, such as São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, only about 5% of the population can speak it fluently. To move there permanently, therefore, we highly recommend you learn Portuguese before you move. When choosing a course, be sure to specify Brazilian Portuguese, as there are some important differences to the dialect spoken in Portugal. Brazilian Portuguese is a ‘creole’ language, with a distinctive accent, and many words and idioms borrowed from Spanish, local indigenous languages, and African languages.
Healthcare
Brazil does have a public healthcare system, but it’s not as comprehensive as the NHS, and standards of treatment can be substandard. Most expats (and many locals) use private healthcare to complement what is available, and there are a variety of high quality insurance schemes available providing access to modern healthcare and dentistry. Speak to your insurer about how to arrange healthcare, and any annual excess. Also note that healthcare facilities in smaller towns and isolated rural areas may have fewer amenities than the big cities.
Property
Private rental costs are generally cheaper than the UK but are still expensive in South American terms. The costs of buying property vary widely across the country, with cities being expensive and smaller areas and new developments being more affordable. Carefully check the quality of roads, utilities, healthcare, education, and public services in the area before you move there, as there are quite stark differences between certain areas in Brazil. To buy property you will need to use an estate agent recognised by the Brazilian Certifying body to validate your transaction.
Education
School is compulsory for children from the age of six in Brazil and the system is split into three tiers: elementary, high school, and higher education. Public schools are free to access for Brazilian citizens but can be crowded and vary in quality. Most English-speaking expats use private schools, which offer a higher standard of education but still follow the local curriculum, and many Brazilian schools – both public and private – have a strong focus on religion (Roman Catholic) and languages.
What Next?
More tips for moving to Brazil can be found in our free Guide to Moving To Brazil, which you can download for free today by clicking here. For all other questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Image Source: Canva
