Retirement vs digital nomad
Retirement visa or digital nomad visa?
Both routes let you live in Brazil on money from abroad. The retirement route is for pension income. The digital nomad route is for remote work for employers or clients outside Brazil.
In short
The retirement visa suits retirees and survivor's pension holders who can transfer US$2,000 a month to Brazil, with up to 2 years of residence at first. The digital nomad visa suits people still working remotely for employers or clients abroad, with US$1,500 a month or US$18,000 in the bank, for up to a year, renewable.
Side by side
| Retirement visa | Digital nomad visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Retirees, and people receiving a survivor's pension | Remote workers whose employers or clients are all outside Brazil |
| Money you must show | US$2,000 a month, transferable to Brazil. Other regular income can make up the difference | US$1,500 a month from a payer abroad, or US$18,000 in the bank |
| Residence | Up to 2 years at first | Up to one year, renewable for the same period |
| Where you apply | At a Brazilian consulate, or to the Ministry of Justice from Brazil | At a Brazilian consulate, or to the Ministry of Justice from Brazil |
| Health insurance | Health insurance valid in Brazil, for the visa | Health insurance valid in Brazil, for the visa |
| Then | Register with the Federal Police within 90 days of arriving with the visa | Register with the Federal Police once your visa or residence is granted |
Which one fits you
Retirement visa
Choose this if your pension, or a survivor's pension, reaches US$2,000 a month and can be transferred to Brazil.
Book an attorney for my retirement visaRetirement visa →Digital nomad visa
Choose this if you're still working, remotely, for employers or clients outside Brazil.
Book an attorney for my digital nomad visaDigital nomad visa check →
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Send a short note to an independent immigration lawyer who uses Emigro. If they offer a paid call, you can pick a time on their calendar right away; otherwise they reply by email.
Official sources
Resolution CNIg nº 40/2019 (retirement), Ministry of Justice ↗
Retirement visa (VITEM XIV), Brazilian consulate ↗
Resolution CNIg nº 45/2021 (digital nomad), Ministry of Justice ↗
Digital nomad visa (VITEM XIV), Brazilian consulate ↗
Checked against official sources on October 25, 2026. Emigro gives preliminary guidance, not legal advice, and is not a law firm. Lawyers on Emigro are independent, registered with the OAB, and solely responsible for their advice. Emigro is a private company, not affiliated with the Brazilian government, the Federal Police, Itamaraty, the Ministry of Justice or the Receita Federal.
Common questions
Can a retiree use the digital nomad visa?
The digital nomad route is for people who work remotely for employers or clients outside Brazil. Pension income fits the retirement route, which asks for US$2,000 a month transferable to Brazil.
What if my pension is below the retirement minimum?
Other regular income can make up the difference if the pension alone falls short of US$2,000 a month. Your bank also has to confirm it can transfer the monthly amount to Brazil.
Do I need health insurance for either visa?
Yes. Health insurance valid in Brazil is on the document list for both the retirement visa and the digital nomad visa at a consulate.
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