Unemployment, Benefits & Job Seeking in Brazil

Only residents can legally seek employment in Brazil. Residency is typically obtained through marriage to, or having a child with a Brazilian national. 

• For further information see the AngloINFO INFOrmation page, Permanent Residency in Brazil 

Some foreigners will be in Brazil on a work visa, obtained before arrival and through a specific company to perform a specific role for a fixed period of time. Because of high levels of unemployment in Brazil, the conditions for obtaining a work visa are strict. 

• For further information see the AngloINFO INFOrmation page, Work Visas, Work Permits & Employment Contracts in Brazil

Even for Brazilian nationals, finding employment can be difficult and workers are prepared to work long hours for little money in many sectors. 

Unemployment Benefit (O Seguro Desemprego)

Unemployment benefit is available in Brazil and managed by the Worker Assistance Fund Advisory Council of the Ministry of Labour and Employment (Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego). Benefits are paid by Caixa, the government-owned financial institution. 

• Ministry of Labour and Employment
  Worker Assistance Fund Advisory Council
  At: Esplanada dos Ministérios, Bloco F, Brasília, 70059-900
  Tel: 0800 610 101 (South, Midwest and states of Acre, Rondônia and Tocantins)
  Tel: 0800 285 0101 (South, Northeast and North, except for Acre, Rondônia and Tocantins)
  Website

An employee has a right to unemployment benefit as long as they fulfil certain criteria. To be eligible, individuals must have worked consecutively for at least six months prior to unemployment, not necessarily with the same employer, and cannot be receiving income that is sufficient to support themselves and any dependents.

Social security contributions are paid directly by the employer or by an individual (for example a domestic helper), to the Guarantee Fund for Severance Pay (FGTS). The amount contributed will determine the amount the person will receive and for how long.

Claims must be made from between 7 to (usually) 120 days from the start of unemployment.

How to Claim Unemployment Benefit

A person who has lost their job can file their claim for unemployment benefit at one of the following places:

• A local authorised branch of the federal bank, Caixa
• A Regional Work Delegation office (Delegacia Regional do Trabalho - DRT)
  • To find a local office: Click here and select a state
• A National Employment System office (Sistema Nacional de Emprego - SINE) 
  • To find a local office: Click here and select a state

The DRT is a public body that enforces labour law and protects the rights of individuals. The SINE is a national organisation promoting work schemes and helping establish cooperatives.

Required documents

The unemployed individual will receive a Requerimento do Seguro-Desemprego form from their employer which will need to be submitted with the following documents:

• Passport or identity card
• Individual Taxpayer’s Card (Cadastro de Pessoa Física - CPF)
• Work contract 

Other documents will be required depending on the person's individual situation. 

• For further information from Caixa about additional documentation that may be required: Click here (in Portuguese)

The claim will be assessed and notification of acceptance or denial sent in the post. If accepted, the individual can then retrieve the payments from a branch of Caixa.

How the unemployment benefit is calculated

The amount of unemployment benefit payments is calculated based on a percentage of the average earnings of the applicant over the last three months of employment. If the employee was not employed with the same employer for the last three months, then the calculation will be adjusted based on earnings accrued in the last position.

Unemployment benefit payments can be made over a period of up to 16 months. The number of unemployment payments are calculated based on the number of months the applicant worked in the 36 month period preceding unemployment.

• if employed for 6-11 months = 3 payments
• if employed for 12-23 months = 4 payments
• if employed for 24-36 months = 5 payments

The minimum monthly unemployment benefit is equal to the current minimum monthly wage in Brazil (the minimum wage is adjusted annually by the government). 

• For information from the Ministry of Labour and Employment on the current minimum wage and how the benefit is calculated: Click here (in Portuguese)

Dismissal without just cause

In some cases, an individual may be unfairly dismissed without just cause (sem justo causa). This will require legal proceedings and if verified will entitle the former employee to a maximum of six monthly payments calculated as an average of the last three salary payments. The employee must have worked at the former company for a minimum of six months.

• For comprehensive information from the Ministry of Labour and Employment (Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego) on unemployment benefits in Brazil: Click here (in Portuguese)

Seeking Employment

Job vacancies are listed in classified sections of daily and weekend newspapers. Jobseekers can also place a "job wanted" advertisement in many daily newspapers for a fee. Jobseekers with specific skills can register with an employment or recruitment agency, usually for free.

The Sistema Nacional de Emprego offers work of all types throughout Brazil. They have walk-in centres as well as a website for job seekers and employers. Those looking for work can search online by location and type of employment and post their curriculum vitae.

Many foreigners work in Brazil teaching a foreign language; usually English, but Spanish, French, Italian and Japanese are also commonly required; particularly in São Paulo which is the commercial centre of Brazil. A teaching qualification, experience and University degree will help in finding more and better paid classes.

Jobseekers can also search the following websites:

• Banco Nacional de Empregos
• Classificados Brasil
• ClickEmprego for jobs in Portuguese-speaking countries
• Telelistas.Net

As mentioned above, a non-resident intending to involve themselves in any form of remunerated employment in Brazil needs a work permit (Autorização de de Trabalho) and anyone applying for such a document must also obtain the appropriate immigration visa (vista). Work visas are issued by the Consular post of the applicant's country of legal residence under the authority of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministério das Relações Exteriores). 

Related Information

• AngloINFO INFOrmation page, Work Visas, Work Permits & Employment Contracts in Brazil
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page, Permanent Residency in Brazil