Brasília: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Brasília is the capital of Brazil, built from scratch on a plateau in the centre of the country and inaugurated on 21 April 1960. The Federal District has about 2.9 million people. The city was designed by Lúcio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer in the shape of an aeroplane and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1987. The economy rests on government, so residents' incomes are among the highest in the country.

Brasília suits civil servants, diplomats, staff of international organisations and families who value safety by Brazilian standards, greenery and a calm pace. It suits less those seeking the sea, nightlife and a walkable city: everything here is built for the car.

Districts

• Asa Sul and Asa Norte - residential superblocks along the wings of the plane: buildings on stilts, inner parks, schools and shops in every block.
• Lago Sul and Lago Norte - villa districts on the shores of Lake Paranoá, the most prestigious and expensive.
• Sudoeste and Noroeste - newer residential districts with middle-class flats.
• Águas Claras - a satellite town with high-rises and the metro, rents below the centre.

Housing and prices

Housing in Brasília is among the most expensive in the country, because civil service salaries are high and the city plan limits new construction in the centre. Renting is cheaper in Águas Claras and other satellite towns. Groceries, restaurants and services cost roughly as much as in São Paulo. The currency is the Brazilian real.

Taxes

Brazilian income tax ranges from 0% to 27.5%, and since 2026 income up to 5,000 reais a month is exempt. Corporate tax together with the social contribution is 34%, large dividends have been taxed at 10% since 2026, and employee contributions are 7.5-14%. A foreigner becomes tax resident from the 184th day in the country. More on the page about taxes in Brazil.

Practicalities

• Climate. The city stands at about 1,100 metres: warm all year but without exhausting heat. May to September is the dry season with very low humidity, October to April the rainy season.
• Transport. The city is built for cars, with two metro lines and buses. The international airport is one of the country's main domestic hubs.
• Language. Portuguese; English is rare.
• Safety. Calm by Brazilian standards, especially in the residential superblocks, but theft happens.

Moving and legal status

Russian citizens need no visa for Brazil for up to 90 days in each 180-day period. For living there is the digital nomad visa with income from $1,500 a month or $18,000 in savings, and residence through work, investment, marriage or the birth of a child: a child born in Brazil becomes a citizen, and the parents gain the right to permanent residence. More on the pages about the Brazilian digital nomad visa and giving birth in Brazil.

Architecture and leisure

The main sight is the city itself: the Square of the Three Powers, Niemeyer's cathedral and palaces, and the TV tower with its weekend fair. Residents spend weekends on Lake Paranoá, on yachts, at clubs and on beaches, and swim in natural pools in the national park. The waterfalls of Chapada dos Veadeiros are about three hours by car.

Is Brasília worth considering for life

Pros: unique architecture, greenery, a mild climate, safety by Brazilian standards, high incomes and a convenient airport. Cons: a car-dependent city, no sea, expensive housing and Portuguese without English. Brasília suits those working with the government or international organisations. If you need a Brazilian passport or life by the sea, Rio, São Paulo or Florianópolis are more convenient. Write in the chat and we will choose a city and a basis for the move.