How to move to Rio step by step: which visa fits you, getting your CPF, renting without a guarantor, monthly costs and where to live.
2 years
Mercosur residency with work rights
R$0–7
to get your CPF (tax ID)
R$3,500–7,000
furnished 1-bed in Copacabana / month
+ condo fee and property tax
US$1,000–2,300
monthly cost of living (lean to comfortable)
Moving to Rio is more doable than it looks. If you work remotely for a company or clients abroad, Brazil offers a digital nomad visa; there are also work and retirement visas. The hard parts are usually elsewhere: renting without a local guarantor, understanding the CPF and picking a neighborhood.
This guide sums up paperwork and costs as of Sept. 2026. Immigration rules change, so always confirm with the Brazilian consulate or the Federal Police before you go.
Step 1
Which visa or residency fits you?
The 4 most common routes
| Mercosur | Digital nomad (VITEM XIV) | Work (VITEM V) | Retiree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Citizens of AR, BO, PY, UY, CL, PE, CO, EC | Remote workers for foreign employers or clients | People hired by a Brazilian company | Retirees with a steady pension |
| Income requirement | No minimum income | US$1,500/month or US$18,000 in savings | Employment contract (2026 minimum wage: R$1,621) | Pension of R$6,000/month + R$2,000 per dependent |
| Length | 2 years, then can become permanent | 1 year, renewable for 1 more | Tied to the contract | Long-term residency |
| Can you work for Brazilian companies? | Yes, any employer | No: foreign income only | Yes, with that employer | Case by case; check |
| Who applies | You, via the Federal Police or consulate | You, at the consulate before traveling | The employer | You, at the consulate |
Reference data, Sept. 2026. Confirm current requirements with the consulate.
Step 2
How to get your CPF
The number you'll need for everything: renting, banking, online shopping, internet
Before you go: request it at the consulate
FreeBrazilian consulates issue CPFs for free via the e-Consular system. It's the easiest option if you're still at home.
In Rio: Correios, Banco do Brasil or Caixa
≈ R$7Bring your passport (and proof of address if requested). Pay a fee of about R$7 and you'll usually get the number the same day.
Or directly at the Receita Federal
FreeThe Federal Revenue office issues it for free. It usually requires an appointment and more waiting.
Mercosur citizens: online request
FreeMercosur citizens can apply online for free on the Receita Federal website with a valid passport or ID.
Save the confirmation
Download the registration PDF and keep it on your phone: banks, landlords and phone carriers will ask for it.
Step 3
Bank account and Pix
Nubank
Brazil's most popular digital bank. With a CPF (and sometimes your residency card, RNM) you open it in the app.
Inter
Fee-free digital account with a USD option (Inter Global).
C6 Bank
Digital, with a multi-currency global account.
PicPay and Mercado Pago
Popular Pix-enabled wallets, easy for day-to-day payments.
Step 4
Renting an apartment
Landlords almost always require a guarantee: guarantor, deposit or insurance
QuintoAndar (no guarantor)
≈ 8% of the monthly package
Online platform: viewings, digital contract and a built-in guarantee without a Brazilian guarantor.
- All in the app
- Requires a CPF
Caução (deposit)
Up to 3 months' rent
A deposit returned at the end of the lease.
- Simple and widely accepted
- Ties up cash
Seguro fiança (rent insurance)
An insurer guarantees the rent for an annual or monthly premium. Proof of income is usually required.
- Non-refundable
Short-term / Airbnb
For your first 1–3 months: pricier, but furnished and no guarantee needed. Ideal while you search.
Watch the extras: condo fee + IPTU
The listed rent is rarely what you pay. Add the condomínio (building/HOA fee) and IPTU (municipal property tax), which together add 20% to 50%. Example: R$4,000 rent can end up at R$4,800–6,000 a month. Rents also rose about 11% in 2026.
Where to live: furnished 1-bedroom rent
Approximate monthly rent, excluding condo fee and IPTU (Sept. 2026). For “budget”, 5 = most affordable.
1Ipanema / Leblon
Preis: R$5,000–9,000 / month
2Botafogo / Flamengo
Preis: R$3,500–6,000 / month
3Barra da Tijuca
Preis: R$4,000–7,000 / month
4Copacabana
Preis: R$3,500–7,000 / month
5Santa Teresa
Preis: R$2,500–5,000 / month
Calculator
How much does it cost to live in Rio per month?
Monthly cost of living per person
All amounts are MONTHLY (one month living in Rio, not a trip). Pick a style and view it in your currency. Approximate values, Sept. 2026.
Reisestil
- Furnished 1-bed rent · 4.500 R$ pro Reise4.500 R$
- Condo fee + IPTU · 1.100 R$ pro Reise1.100 R$
- Power, internet and phone · 450 R$ pro Reise450 R$
- Groceries · 1.400 R$ pro Reise1.400 R$
- Eating out and delivery · 1.000 R$ pro Reise1.000 R$
- Transport (metro, bus, Uber) · 400 R$ pro Reise400 R$
- Health plan · 820 R$ pro Reise820 R$
- Leisure, gym and coworking · 850 R$ pro Reise850 R$
Geschätzte Summe pro Person
10.520 R$
351 R$ pro Tag
Lean ≈ R$5,300/mo · Comfortable ≈ R$10,500/mo · Expat ≈ R$18,000/mo. Reference USD/BRL ≈ 5.14 (Sept. 2026).
Healthcare: SUS and private plans
SUS (public system)
Free
Free care for everyone, including foreigners: emergency (UPA), vaccines and public hospitals. Expect long waits for non-urgent visits.
Private health plan
≈ R$820/month
What middle-class cariocas use: private clinics and hospitals without the wait. Varies a lot by age and coverage.
International insurance
Useful for your first months or if you travel a lot. Make sure it covers long stays in Brazil.
Expat communities
Gringos in Rio (Facebook)
The biggest group for questions about rentals, paperwork and tips.
InterNations
Monthly events for expats and professionals.
Mundo Lingo
Language exchange on Thursdays at 7 pm in Botafogo. Great for making local friends.
Rio Para Argentinos
A popular Spanish-language creator for Argentines visiting or moving to Rio.
Checklist: your first month in Rio
Tick items as you go (saved in your browser).
Häufige Fragen
Citizens of Mercosur countries can get a 2-year residency with work rights that can later become permanent; Argentines can go straight to permanent residency.
Get to know your new city
Guided tours with transfers included, for your first weekends in Rio.
1 Ganztägiger Ausflug in Rio
Ganztägige Vollständige Tour durch Rios Haupttouristenattraktionen: Zuckerhut, Historisches Zentrum, Selarón, São Bento und Christus der Erlöser.
Flamengo-Spiel im Maracanã
Sehen Sie Flamengo live im Maracanã mit Ticket, Transport und offiziellem Trikot inklusive - ein Abend voller Emotionen.
Soft landing: neighborhood tour for movers
We'll tour the neighborhoods you're considering together, help with your CPF, SIM and Pix, and tell you what daily life is like in each area. Tailor-made.
Empfohlene Touren
Online buchen mit lokalem Guide, Festpreis und Zahlung per internationaler Karte oder Pix.
1 Ganztägiger Ausflug in Rio
Ganztägige Vollständige Tour durch Rios Haupttouristenattraktionen: Zuckerhut, Historisches Zentrum, Selarón, São Bento und Christus der Erlöser.
Flamengo-Spiel im Maracanã
Sehen Sie Flamengo live im Maracanã mit Ticket, Transport und offiziellem Trikot inklusive - ein Abend voller Emotionen.
