Teach English in Brazil

Yes, you can teach English in Brazil, Latin America’s largest English learning market. Most work is at private language schools, in business English for Brazilian companies and in private and online lessons, mainly in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. A 120 hour TEFL certificate is the usual requirement. Formal work visas need employer sponsorship, so most foreign teachers plan their legal route before they arrive.

Teaching English in Brazil at a glance

Who can legally teach English in Brazil?

Entry and work rules depend on your passport, and they changed recently for some nationalities.

UK, Irish and EU citizens can usually visit Brazil without a visa for up to 90 days. US, Canadian and Australian citizens have needed a visa, available as an electronic visa, to visit Brazil since April 2025. In every case, a visitor visa or visa free entry does not give you the right to work for a Brazilian employer.

Temporary work visa. Working legally for a Brazilian school normally requires a temporary work visa sponsored by the employer, which usually involves a degree, a job offer and approval from the Brazilian authorities. Large language school chains, international schools and universities are the employers most likely to sponsor. Many smaller schools do not.

Digital nomad visa. Brazil offers a visa for remote workers paid by employers or clients outside Brazil, with a minimum income requirement. Teaching English online to students abroad can fit that model, but it does not cover working for local schools.

Other routes. Student visas, family residence and Mercosur residence for South American nationals are the other common legal routes. Working informally on tourist entry is common in practice but not legal, and we do not recommend it. Check current rules with the Brazilian consulate before you travel, and see our Visa Desk for updates.

How much do English teachers earn in Brazil?

Brazil pays reasonably by Latin American standards, especially for business English in São Paulo. Figures below are approximate typical ranges in Brazilian reais.

Most teachers combine a school timetable with private or business clients. For context, Brazil’s national minimum wage is R$1,621 a month for full time work in 2026. Compare pay across countries on the TEFL Salary Index.

Where are the English teaching jobs in Brazil?

São Paulo, Brazil’s business capital, has the largest market and the best paid business English work, at the highest living costs. Rio de Janeiro combines strong demand with an unmatched lifestyle. Belo Horizonte, Curitiba and Porto Alegre are large cities with steady demand and lower costs, and Brasília has demand linked to government and international organisations.

The main employers are private language school chains and independent schools teaching all ages, usually in the evening and on Saturdays; business English providers sending teachers into companies; bilingual and international schools, which generally want qualified schoolteachers; and private students. Read about one teacher’s experience in Shauna’s TEFL adventure in Brazil.

What qualifications do you need?

A TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours is the practical minimum, alongside native or near native English. Most schools prefer a degree, and a degree is generally needed for a formal work visa. Business English training is especially valuable in São Paulo.

A regulated qualification such as our Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL course can be verified on the Ofqual register, and our 120 Hour Advanced TEFL Course meets the standard school requirement. Some Portuguese makes daily life, housing and paperwork much easier.

When should you apply?

• January to March. The main hiring period, before the Brazilian school year starts in February.
• July. A smaller mid year round around the winter break.
• December to January. The summer holidays, when many schools slow down.

What does it cost to live in Brazil?

São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are the most expensive cities, mainly because of rent, while Belo Horizonte, Curitiba and Porto Alegre are noticeably cheaper. A room in a shared flat commonly costs around R$1,500 to R$2,500 a month in São Paulo or Rio and less in other cities. Local food, buses and the metro are good value, while imported goods and electronics are expensive. Choose your neighbourhood carefully: safety varies a great deal within each city, and colleagues are the best source of local advice.

What is it like teaching in a Brazilian classroom?

Brazilian learners are typically warm, sociable and enthusiastic, and classes are lively and relationship driven. Adults want practical speaking skills for work and travel, and business clients value professionalism and flexibility. Greetings are friendly and personal, and building relationships matters for finding work and keeping clients. Expect timetables to shift, and bring patience for paperwork.

Where to find English teaching jobs in Brazil now

Last updated: 4 October 2026. 2026 figures checked October 2026: minimum wage of R$1,621 a month from 1 January 2026. The minimum wage figure is from Brazil’s Decree 12.797/2025. Pay and living costs are approximate typical ranges, not quotes. Visa rules change, so confirm current requirements with the Brazilian consulate before you travel.