Finding an apartment in Brazil is completely open to foreigners — the Lei do Inquilinato gives you the same rights as any Brazilian tenant. But the process involves unfamiliar steps: you’ll need a CPF, a rental guarantee, and a contract written entirely in Portuguese.
Most leases run 30 months and are priced in reais. This guide walks you through every step, from where to search online to what to negotiate before you sign.
At a Glance
You need a CPF, passport, proof of income (3× the rent), and one form of rental guarantee before any landlord will consider your application.
QuintoAndar is the most foreigner-friendly platform — no fiador, no deposit, fully digital. ZAP Imóveis and VivaReal have the largest inventory but require you to negotiate guarantees directly.
The listed rent is never the full cost. Condomínio, IPTU, and utilities can add 30–50% on top. Always ask for the total monthly cost before committing.
Who This Guide Is For
Documents You Need Before Searching
Prerequisites
Before you start browsing listings, you need four things in place. Without them, no agency or landlord will take your application seriously.
Required Documents
Checklist
- → CPF (Cadastro de Pessoa Física): Your Brazilian tax ID. Every landlord, agency, and platform requires it. See Guide #001 — How to Get Your CPF
- → Valid passport (and visa/RNE if applicable): Your primary ID. A residency card (CRNM/RNE) strengthens your application
- → Proof of income (comprovante de renda): Most landlords expect income of at least 3× the rent. Pay stubs, employment contract, bank statements (3 months), or employer letter all work. Foreign income may need a sworn translation
- → Brazilian bank account: Almost all landlords want rent via PIX or boleto. See Guide #002 — Opening a Bank Account
Where to Search for Apartments
Platforms & methods
Brazil has several excellent rental platforms. The biggest difference from what you may be used to: the best deals are on Portuguese-language sites, not English ones aimed at foreigners. Use 2–3 platforms simultaneously and compare the total cost — not just the listed rent.
QuintoAndar — Best for Foreigners
Recommended
The most foreigner-friendly platform. No fiador or deposit required — they handle the guarantee via credit analysis. Fully digital from search to contract signing. Professional photos and 360° tours for every listing. The catch: they charge landlords ~8% monthly, which can mean slightly higher listed rents than direct deals.
ZAP Imóveis
- → Brazil’s largest portal — 4M+ listings
- → Contact landlords/agencies directly
- → You negotiate guarantee yourself
- → zapimoveis.com.br
VivaReal
- → Same group as ZAP, similar inventory
- → Slightly different interface and filters
- → Good for cross-referencing prices
- → vivareal.com.br
OLX Imóveis
- → Owner-direct classifieds — often cheapest
- → No agency commission
- → Less protection — verify ownership carefully
- → olx.com.br/imoveis
Offline Methods
- → Walk neighborhoods — look for “Aluga-se” signs
- → Facebook groups: “[city] expats housing”
- → Local agents (corretores) — ~1 month commission
- → Best option for non-Portuguese speakers
What You’ll Actually Pay Each Month
Real costs
The listed rent is never the full cost. Brazilian rentals have several additional monthly charges that can add 30–50% on top of the base rent. Always ask for the custo total (total cost) before committing.
Monthly Cost Breakdown — 1-Bed in São Paulo
Example
- → Base rent (aluguel): R$3,000
- → Condomínio (building fees): R$500 – 1,500
- → IPTU (property tax, if passed to tenant): R$150 – 400
- → Electricity (luz): R$100 – 250
- → Water (água): R$50 – 120
- → Gas (gás): R$30 – 80
- → Internet: R$100 – 150
Rental Guarantees Explained
The biggest hurdle
This is where most foreigners get stuck. Brazilian law allows landlords to require one form of guarantee — not multiple. There are four options. Here’s what each means and which works best for you.
Caução (Security Deposit) — Best for Foreigners
Recommended
A cash deposit of up to 3 months’ rent, held in a joint savings account (caderneta de poupança). Returned with interest at the end of your lease, minus documented damages. Simplest option for foreigners — no Brazilian contacts needed, no credit history required.
Seguro Fiança (Rental Insurance)
Alternative
An insurance policy where the insurer acts as your guarantor. Premium is typically 1–1.5× monthly rent per year and is non-refundable. Requires credit analysis — tricky for newcomers, but some insurers (Porto Seguro, SulAmérica) now accept foreign income proof.
Fiador (Personal Guarantor)
- → Brazilian who owns property in the same city
- → Agrees to cover your debts if you default
- → Free — but nearly impossible for newcomers
- → Traditional method, declining in use
Título de Capitalização
- → Savings bond purchased as security
- → Money blocked for the lease duration
- → Mostly refundable (minus admin fees)
- → Less common — some landlords accept it
The Rental Process, Step by Step
From search to keys
Step 1 — Search and Shortlist
Action
Filter by neighborhood, price range, and number of rooms. Compare the total cost (rent + condomínio + IPTU) — not just the listed rent. Bookmark 8–10 options. Use Google Translate on listing pages if needed.
Step 2 — Visit in Person (Visita)
Action
Always visit before paying anything. Check noise levels, natural light, water pressure, cell signal, and distance to metro/bus. Ask about condomínio rules, whether pets are allowed, and building security (porteiro 24h?).
Step 3 — Negotiate and Sign the Contract
Important
Confirm: which guarantee is required, who pays condomínio and IPTU, the annual adjustment formula (IGP-M or IPCA), and the early termination penalty. The lease will be in Portuguese — have it reviewed by a bilingual lawyer or sworn translator (tradutor juramentado) for R$500–1,000. Well worth it.
Step 4 — Pay, Inspect, and Move In
Final step
Pay the guarantee and first month’s rent via PIX or bank transfer (never cash — you need a comprovante). Before moving in, complete the laudo de vistoria (inspection report) — walk through and document every wall, floor, appliance, and fixture with dated photos. Pre-existing damage not recorded here will be charged to you when you leave.
Key Lease Clauses to Understand
Contract essentials
Brazilian rental contracts are thorough and predictable. Here are the clauses that matter most to you as a foreigner.
What Your Contract Should Cover
Reference
- → Prazo (lease duration): Standard is 30 months. After 12 months, you can terminate with 30 days’ written notice and a proportional penalty
- → Reajuste anual (annual adjustment): Rent increases yearly, tied to an inflation index — usually IGP-M or IPCA. Your contract must specify which one
- → Multa rescisória (early termination): Usually 3 months’ rent, prorated. Leave after 20 months of a 30-month lease and you’d owe roughly 1 month’s rent
- → Responsabilidades: Tenant typically pays rent, condomínio, utilities, and minor repairs. Landlord pays structural repairs. IPTU is sometimes passed to the tenant — check
- → Sublocação (subletting): Almost always prohibited without written consent. Don’t plan to Airbnb your apartment — many building bylaws explicitly ban short-term rentals
Furnished vs. Unfurnished
Good to know
This surprises many newcomers: most long-term rentals in Brazil are completely unfurnished — and that often means no stove, no refrigerator, and sometimes no light fixtures.
Sem Mobília (Unfurnished)
- → No furniture, appliances, or fixtures
- → You buy stove, fridge, washing machine
- → Lower rent, bigger upfront investment
- → Budget R$5,000–15,000 to furnish basics
Mobiliado (Furnished)
- → Includes furniture and appliances
- → 20–50% higher rent
- → Rarer for long-term leases
- → Best for stays under 2 years
Portuguese You’ll Need
Essential vocab
Key Terms for Renting
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from others
⚠️ Don’t Make These Errors
Paying a deposit before visiting. Never transfer money without seeing the property in person and verifying the landlord’s ownership. Scams targeting foreigners are common on classifieds sites.
Looking only at the listed rent. The condomínio alone can double your monthly cost in full-service buildings. Always ask: “Qual o custo total por mês?”
Signing a contract you can’t read. The lease is in Portuguese and courts interpret it under Brazilian law. Spend R$500–1,000 on a lawyer review — cheap insurance against misunderstandings.
Skipping the vistoria. If you don’t document existing damage when you move in, you’ll pay for it when you leave. Take dated photos of everything — walls, floors, appliances, plumbing.
Expecting a furnished apartment. Most long-term rentals are bare — no stove, no fridge, sometimes no lights. Budget R$5,000–15,000 extra if renting unfurnished.
Agreeing to multiple guarantees. A landlord asking for a deposit AND insurance is breaking the law. You only need to provide one form of guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers
Can foreigners rent apartments in Brazil?
FAQ
Yes. Brazilian tenancy law (Lei do Inquilinato) places no restrictions on foreigners. You have the same rights and obligations as a Brazilian tenant. You need a CPF, proof of income, and one form of guarantee.
What if I can’t find a fiador?
FAQ
Most foreigners can’t — and that’s fine. Use a caução (3-month deposit) or seguro fiança (rental insurance) instead. Or rent through QuintoAndar, which requires no guarantee from the tenant at all.
Can I break my lease early?
FAQ
Yes, after 12 months you can terminate with 30 days’ written notice. You’ll pay an early termination penalty (multa rescisória), typically 3 months’ rent prorated for the remaining period. If your landlord wants to terminate, they must give you 3 months’ notice.
How do I pay rent each month?
FAQ
Most landlords accept PIX or boleto. Some agencies send a monthly boleto bundling rent, condomínio, and IPTU. A Brazilian bank account makes this seamless — see Guide #002 and Guide #004 — PIX, Boletos & Brazilian Payments for details.
Are pets allowed?
FAQ
It depends on the building and landlord. Many buildings allow pets but some restrict by size or type. Any pet restrictions must be stated in the rental contract. Always ask before signing.
Is it safe to rent from OLX or Facebook?
FAQ
It can be, but proceed with caution. Always visit in person, verify ownership (ask for the matrícula do imóvel from the cartório), and never pay deposits before seeing the apartment. Official platforms like QuintoAndar offer more protection; direct deals carry more risk but can be cheaper.
Expat Essentials Series
Information verified against Lei do Inquilinato (Law 8.245/1991) and current rental market data · February 2026 · This guide is updated annually or when regulations change