About 5 million Brazilians live outside of their home country today, a historic high. That's like the entire population of Panama. Almost half of those Brazilians reside in the United States, but in this article, we will focus on Europe and find out what are the best places to live in Europe for expats from Brazil. Are there any visa opportunities for Brazilian immigrants and can ancestry matter elsewhere outside Portugal? What about taxes for Brazilians in Europe? Read our guide to find out.
Where most Brazilians live in Europe
Portugal
The UK
Germany
Spain
Italy
Taxes for Brazilian expats living abroad
Car leasing for Brazilian expats
No time for saudade
Where do most Brazilians live in Europe?
According to the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in 2023, Brazilians in Europe made up around one-third of all emigrants from the country.
The global top 10 destinations favoured by Brazilian immigrants, alongside hubs in the United States and Japan, include two European cities: Lisbon and London. Where Brazilians live in Europe:
| City | Estimated Brazilian diaspora, 2023 (people) |
|---|---|
| Lisbon | 320,000 |
| London | 190,000 |
| Porto | 160,000 |
| Milan | 89,000 |
| Madrid | 82,471 |
| Dublin | 80,000 |
| Amsterdam | 80,000 |
| Barcelona | 79,743 |
| Rome | 70,000 |
| Berlin | 65,400 |
European countries with the most significant Brazilian diaspora, as of 2023, include some of the best places to live in Europe for expats. These are:
| Country | Estimated Brazilian diaspora, 2023 (people) |
|---|---|
| Portugal | 513,000 |
| UK | 230,000 |
| Germany | 170,000 |
| Spain | 162,000 |
| Italy | 159,000 |
| France | 95,000 |
| Netherlands | 80,000 |
| Ireland | 80,000 |
| Switzerland | 64,000 |
| Belgium | 50,000 |
The list mentions more countries, like Sweden, Denmark, and Greece, and concludes with the smallest number of Brazilians in Europe: 15 expats in the Vatican.
So, Brazilians in Europe are a big family and can be found virtually everywhere. Let’s look at some destinations Brazilian expats choose and why.
Portugal
Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum reported that in 2023, Brazilian immigrants received nearly 45% of all residence permits issued in the country. These numbers continued to grow in 2024.
For many Brazilians, Portugal is the most natural destination due to its shared language, Portuguese, and cultural ties. The country has implemented policies that make it easier for Brazilians to obtain residency and work opportunities, particularly in growing industries like technology and tourism. In our previous article, we also discussed several successful startups that Brazilians have launched in Portugal – check it out here!
Pros of going to Portugal:
- The biggest Brazilian diaspora in Europe.
- Language and cultural affinity: Speaking Portuguese eliminates a major barrier to integration.
- Growing economy: There is increasing demand for skilled professionals, especially in Lisbon’s tech sector.
- Quality of life: Affordable living costs (compared to other Western European nations), safety, and access to a strong healthcare system.
- Digital nomad visa (D7 visa): Portugal offers one of the most accessible digital nomad and passive income visa programs in Europe.
However, the job market is becoming challenging despite the economic growth, rising rent prices, and housing shortages.
Red tape can also be a pain, as visa and residency processes may be slow and complicated. But there is also good news for Brazilians: The Interministerial Ordinance makes it much easier for Brazilians to get temporary visas and residence permits in Portugal. This has been made possible thanks to the Agreement on Mobility within the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), which includes member states where Portuguese is the official language, and Brazil is one of them. When considering CPLP, be aware of its limitations: for instance, it does not grant free movement from Portugal to other European countries.
If you work in Portugal and want to send money back to Brazil, read our guide on different ways to transfer money or just hit the transfer page.
The UK
According to a 2020 survey published by Statista, one-third of Brazilian immigrants in the UK went there in search of a better quality of life. 19% cited a lack of job opportunities in their home country, and 16% said they moved to the UK to join partners or family members.
On the global scale, London has a large and well-established Brazilian diaspora, topped only by New York, Boston, Miami and Lisbon. A noticeable Brazilian community can also be found in Edinburgh. Despite Brexit, the United Kingdom remains a popular destination for Brazilians looking for finance, technology, and higher education opportunities.
Pros of going to the UK:
- Robust economy: High demand for skilled professionals, particularly in tech and finance.
- Top universities: Prestigious institutions attract many Brazilian students. Universities of Manchester, Belfast, Bristol and many others offer opportunities to students from Brazil.
- Top-2 established Brazil community: Large networks provide support for newcomers in London and other cities, from samba nights in Soho to the Brazilian Film Festival.
- Less dramatic language barrier: English is the official language.
However, the UK's post-Brexit immigration rules have made it harder for non-EU citizens to secure work visas. Plus, London remains one of the most expensive cities in the world, and the housing crisis has extended to all corners of the country.
But still, Britain’s reputation as a cultural and economic powerhouse attracts many Brazilian expats.
Germany
Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg have growing Brazilian communities, with many professionals working in engineering, IT, and healthcare. Germany is considered to be among the best countries to live in Europe for expats.
Pros of going to Germany:
- Strong economy: Germany offers some of Europe’s best wages for skilled professionals.
- High demand for engineers and IT professionals: Skilled workers in STEM fields have excellent opportunities (Aufenthaltserlaubnis).
- EU Blue Card champion: In 2023, out of almost 90,000 Blue Cards holders, around 70,000 of them lived and worked in Germany – and 1,388 Blue Cards were granted to Brazilians.
The cons include the language barrier, a significant difference in work culture, and rising rent prices in major cities. Bureaucracy can also be challenging for newcomers.
Spain
Cities like Barcelona and Madrid attract many young Brazilian professionals, particularly those working in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
Pros of going to Spain:
- Tourism industry: High demand for workers in hotels, restaurants, and entertainment.
- Language similarities: Portuguese speakers can learn Spanish relatively quickly.
- Affordable living costs: Compared to other Western European countries, Spain is more affordable.
Still, despite remaining one of the best countries to live in Europe for expats, Spain has one of the highest unemployment rates on the continent. Meanwhile, non-EU citizens face difficulties in obtaining long-term work visas.
Italy
Many Brazilians with Italian ancestry have settled in various Italian cities, taking advantage of citizenship through descent. Beyond heritage, Italy also offers opportunities in tourism and entrepreneurship.
Pros of going to Italy:
- Ancestral citizenship: Thousands of Brazilians have Italian heritage, allowing them to obtain dual citizenship and work freely in the EU.
- Entrepreneurial opportunities: Italy’s economy encourages small businesses, particularly in fashion, food, and tourism.
- Cultural affinity: Strong historical ties make social integration easier.
But Italy has been struggling with economic stagnation, making job security uncertain. Moreover, citizenship and visa applications can take years to process.
We have a great guide on remitting from Italy to Brazil. Check it out!
Taxes for Brazilian expats living abroad
While it is natural to consider various factors before moving to a new country, such as the cost of living, healthcare, visas or social integration, it is also important to consider taxes.
Brazilian tax law requires Brazilian residents to file annual income tax returns on their worldwide income. If there are corresponding tax treaties in place, you may be able to avoid double taxation by becoming a tax resident of another country.
Brazil has signed such treaties with, for instance, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Denmark and France. As for the United Kingdom and Germany, the Brazilian authorities recognise the reciprocity of tax treatment, which permits the offsetting of the tax paid in those countries against the tax due in Brazil, on the same earnings.
So while the situation on taxes for Brazilian expats living abroad may be quite optimistic, Brazilians in Europe need to make sure of established mechanisms in every new case. The Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue) is the official source for Brazilian tax information.
You can check out our guide on EU visas for Brazilians here.
Car leasing for Brazilian expats
Car leasing is common in Europe, but the requirements vary by country and leasing company. Things to consider:
- Residency status: Leasing companies often require proof of residency
- Credit history: A good credit history in the host country may be necessary
- Driver's license: A valid driver's license is essential. An international driving permit may be required initially
- Insurance: Car insurance is mandatory
- Language: Contract terms will be in the local language, so translation may be required
In the EU, foreign driver's licenses are accepted up to six months after entering the country. In the UK, you are granted a 12-month period with your current licence. To continue driving beyond this period, you must obtain a UK driving licence, passing both the theory and practical driving tests.
So, car leasing for Brazilian expats can be quite easy, but you will have to consider obtaining a local license if you plan to stay in the country for a longer time.
No time for saudade
Many Brazilians face challenges with social integration when moving abroad, particularly due to language barriers and the deep-seated feeling of saudade (a longing for home). However, the global Brazil community which includes cultural centers, churches, and online groups play a crucial role in easing this transition. To stay connected with people back home, many expats choose With Profee, you can be part of this big Brazilian community and send money back home to your loved ones!
