Hiring a Developer in Brazil as a U.S. Company

The tech industry in the United States is grappling with a significant and ongoing challenge: a shortage of qualified software developers. This scarcity is driving up salaries, intensifying competition for talent, and hindering companies’ ability to innovate and expand. To navigate this complex landscape, many U.S. companies are increasingly turning to nearshore outsourcing solutions. 

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In this context, Brazil has emerged as a prime destination for nearshore software development, offering a compelling blend of a highly skilled workforce, thriving tech ecosystem, favorable economic conditions, and cultural alignment.

However, navigating the complexities of Brazilian employment law is essential for U.S. employers to ensure compliance and establish a strong foundation for successful nearshoring arrangements. This can be a daunting task, requiring expertise in:

• Complex Labor Laws: Brazil’s Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho (CLT) is a comprehensive set of labor laws with specific requirements for employment contracts, working hours, benefits, and termination procedures.

• Tax and Payroll Obligations: Brazilian tax and payroll regulations are intricate, requiring expertise and careful management to ensure compliance.

• Mandatory Benefits: Brazilian employees are entitled to various mandatory benefits, including paid vacation, 13th-month salary, and social security contributions, which can add significant costs for employers.

• Legal Entity Requirement: U.S. companies typically need to establish a legal entity in Brazil to comply with tax and labor laws, a process that can be complex and time-consuming.

This comprehensive guide provides detailed information on the key aspects of hiring nearshore software developers based in Brazil, covering everything from employment contracts and working hours to taxation and benefits.

Overview

Brazil’s software industry is experiencing significant growth and is gaining international recognition for its innovation and competitive offerings. This expansion is driven by strong domestic demand and a robust export sector.

Ranked 1st in Latin America and 49th globally in the Global Innovation Index 2024, Brazil holds a prominent position in Latin America’s innovation landscape and is a significant hub for companies seeking talented software developers. With over 100 tech hubs scattered across the country, Brazil has risen to fifth place globally for exporting skilled labor.

Here are some more facts about Brazil:

• Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL)
• Language: Portuguese
• Timezone: Multiple time zones, ranging from GMT-5 to GMT-2 (most of the country is GMT-3)
• Population: Approximately 217 million
• Number of developers: Over 500,000
• Average developer’s salary range: USD 15,000 – USD 70,000+ per year
• Working hours: maximum 44 hours/week
• National holidays: 12 per year

Employment Laws in Brazil

Brazilian employment law is predominantly governed by the Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho (CLT), a comprehensive set of labor regulations that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both employers and employees. The CLT addresses a wide array of employment-related issues, including:

• Working Hours: The CLT mandates a maximum of 8 hours per day and 44 hours per week for most employees. However, employers and employees have the flexibility to agree to a 40-hour workweek without any decrease in the employee’s compensation. A standard work schedule in Brazil commonly involves 8 hours per day from Monday to Friday, often between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., with the potential for up to 4 hours if working on Saturday—though this is not typical for office roles.

• Overtime: Overtime work is permissible, though capped at a maximum of 2 hours per day. Should an employee be required to work during the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., they are entitled to an additional 20% as a Night Shift Allowance.

• Rest and Meal Breaks: Employees who work in excess of 6 hours per day are entitled to a mandatory 1-hour unpaid interval for rest and sustenance.

• Weekly Rest: Nearshore developers are entitled to a paid day off each week, with Sunday being the preferred day.

• Employment at Will: Brazilian jurisprudence recognizes the principle of at-will employment, signifying that either the employer or the employee may terminate the employment relationship without a specific cause, contingent upon adherence to stipulated notice periods and the provision of severance compensation.

• Work Permits: Foreigners working in Brazil require a work permit.

In addition to these key provisions, it’s important to be aware that work schedules may vary for certain professions. U.S. employers should confirm the specific requirements for the roles they are hiring for to ensure compliance.

Employment Contracts in Brazil

Employment contracts in Brazil generally assume an indefinite duration. Fixed-term contracts are permissible only in defined scenarios, such as for temporary projects or when the work itself is inherently temporary in nature. Brazilian law favors the establishment of indefinite-term employment, and fixed-term contracts are subject to specific restrictions. Key provisions that should be stipulated within an employment contract in Brazil include:

• Job Title and Responsibilities: A clear articulation of the employee’s role, duties, and responsibilities within the organization.

• Contract Type: Explicit specification as to whether the agreement is for a fixed or indefinite term.

• Compensation and Benefits: Comprehensive details regarding salary, payment schedule, any applicable allowances (e.g., transportation, meal, housing), and health insurance coverage. Companies are also legally obligated to deposit 8% of the employee’s gross salary into their FGTS account, a Brazilian severance fund mechanism.

• Working Hours: A clear definition of the regular working hours, including designated periods for rest and meals.

• Leave Policies: Specification of entitlements to annual leave, sick leave, and other forms of authorized leave.

• Termination Clause: Stipulate the conditions for contract termination, including the required notice periods and any applicable severance pay obligations.

• Confidentiality Clause: Provisions safeguarding proprietary and confidential company information.

• Intellectual Property Clause: Clarify ownership of work produced by the nearshore software developer.

Compensation and Benefits

Before getting into the legal rules for hiring in Brazil, it’s key to understand the typical pay and benefits for software developers. While the current official monthly minimum wage in Brazil is R$1,518, software developers generally make much more. Common benefits often include health insurance, money for meals and transport, and a 13th-month salary, which is an extra month’s pay given as a bonus, usually in December. It’s worth noting that some states in Brazil might have a minimum wage that’s higher than the national one. U.S. employers should check the minimum wage for the specific state where their employees work to make sure they are following the law.

Working Hours and Overtime

Standard working hours in Brazil are legally set at 8 hours per day and 44 hours per week, commonly observed from Monday to Friday. Nevertheless, employers and employees have the option to agree to a 40-hour workweek without any reduction in the employee’s base salary. A typical work schedule in Brazil involves 8 hours per day from Monday to Friday, with an additional 4 hours on Saturday.

Overtime work is permitted but capped at 2 hours per day, requiring premium compensation, typically at 150% of the regular hourly rate. Work performed on Sundays or public holidays necessitates an overtime rate of 200%.

It is important for U.S. employers to be mindful of the cultural dynamics influencing the workplace in Brazil. Brazilian work culture emphasizes personal relationships and social interactions. While punctuality is generally respected, the observance of precise meeting start times may exhibit some flexibility.

Public Holidays

Brazil has 12 national holidays, listed in the table below. Each state may also have its own mandatory unique holidays. Nearshore software developers in Brazil are generally entitled to time off on public holidays, and if they are required to work, they must be compensated at double their regular pay rate. US employers should research state-specific holidays for the location where their employees are based.

Here’s the 2025 calendar of Brazilian holidays:

January 1st	New Year’s Day
February 8th – March 5th	Carnival
April 18th	Good Friday
April 21st	Tiradentes Day
May 1st	Labor Day
June 9th	Corpus Christi
September 7th	Independence Day
October 12th	Our Lady of Aparecida
November 2nd	All Souls’ Day
November 15th	Republic Confirmation Day
November 20th	Black Awareness Day
December 25th	Christmas Day

Vacation and Sick Leave

Upon completion of 12 months of service, employees in Brazil are entitled to 30 days of paid annual leave. Employees may elect to take the full 30 days consecutively or divide it into a maximum of three segments, with at least one segment comprising 14 or more consecutive days.

In addition to the requirement for vacation time, employees are also entitled to a vacation bonus (“terço de férias”) equivalent to 33.33% of their salary for the vacation period. This bonus must be paid at least two days before the employee’s scheduled vacation begins.

Employees in Brazil are also entitled to paid sick leave. The duration of paid sick leave is determined by the employee’s tenure with the company and whether hospitalization is necessary.

Important Note: As per the CLT, employers cannot deduct an employee’s salary for time taken to attend medical appointments during working hours, provided they present evidence of the appointment. This is separate from any paid sick leave entitlement. For example, if an employee contracts a severe flu, consults a physician, and is recommended 1-2 days of rest, this would be classified as sick leave. However, attending a routine medical appointment during working hours would not be considered sick leave, but the employee should not be penalized for the absence upon providing a medical certificate as justification.

Maternity and Paternity Leave

Brazil offers comprehensive maternity and paternity leave benefits to support working parents. Expectant mothers are entitled to 120 days of maternity leave, with the possibility of a further 60-day extension under certain conditions.

Important to note: Unlike in the U.S., maternity leave in Brazil is always compensated. The National Social Security Institute (INSS) covers the cost of the employee’s salary during this leave period.

Moreover, Brazilian law prohibits the termination of a pregnant employee’s contract until the fifth month after the child’s birth. This provision provides significant job security for mothers both during and after their pregnancy.

Fathers are entitled to 5 days of paternity leave, which can be extended to 20 days if the employer is part of a government program that encourages paternity leave.

Severance and Terminations

Brazilian employment law requires employers to provide employees with a notice period upon termination, establishing a minimum of 30 days. This notice period is extended based on the employee’s length of service, with an additional three days added for each full year worked, up to a maximum of 90 days. Employers have the option to provide pay in lieu of the required notice period.

Alongside the notice period, employers are obligated to pay severance, the calculation of which takes into account the employee’s salary and tenure, as well as any accrued but untaken vacation days. Severance pay is also mandatory for employees terminated without cause.

Brazilian law recognizes several situations that may serve as valid grounds for termination with cause, including:

• Serious misconduct, such as theft or fraud.

• Habitual neglect of duties.

• Insubordination.

• Abandonment of the job.

Probationary Period

When onboarding nearshore software developers in Brazil, you have the ability to establish a probationary period, which cannot extend beyond 90 days. During this initial employment phase, either party is entitled to terminate the employment agreement with a shorter period of notice.

Non-Compete Agreements

Non-compete agreements are usually valid in Brazil, but there are some rules and limits. These agreements typically stop employees from working for rival companies or starting their own similar businesses for a certain time after they leave their job. The restrictions must be fair in what they cover and how long they last, and they should protect real business interests, like secret information or private data.

Taxation

Brazil has a complicated tax system, and U.S. employers need to understand what they owe for income tax and social security for their remote workers. Employers must take income tax out of their employees’ paychecks and send it to the Brazilian tax authorities. They also have to contribute to social security, which pays for different social programs, including retirement, healthcare, and unemployment help.

Important Note: To comply with Brazilian tax laws and make the necessary deductions and contributions for employees based in Brazil, U.S. employers typically need to create a legal entity in Brazil. This involves registering the company with the relevant authorities, obtaining a tax ID, and setting up a local bank account. This process can be complex and time-consuming, requiring expertise in Brazilian legal and regulatory requirements.

Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements

In addition to the CLT, several other legal and regulatory requirements may apply when hiring nearshore software developers in Brazil. These include:

• Data Protection: Brazil’s data protection law, the Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados Pessoais (LGPD), establishes rules for collecting, processing, and storing personal data. U.S. companies hiring remote workers in Brazil must comply with the LGPD, which may involve implementing data protection measures, obtaining consent for data processing, and establishing data transfer agreements.

• Intellectual Property: Brazilian intellectual property laws protect inventions, trademarks, and copyrights. U.S. employers should have clear agreements with their Brazilian employees regarding the ownership of intellectual property created during the course of their employment.

• Foreign Exchange Regulations: Brazil has regulations related to foreign exchange transactions. U.S. employers need to understand these regulations when transferring salaries to their Brazilian employees, which may involve reporting requirements or restrictions on currency exchange.

• Complaint Procedures: While there are no specific legal provisions for complaint procedures in Brazil, companies can establish internal policies to address employee grievances.

U.S. employers should consult with legal experts to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Next Idea Tech Makes it Easy To Find, Hire, and Pay Nearshore Software Developers in Brazil

Hiring nearshore software developers in Brazil offers numerous advantages for U.S. tech companies, but navigating the complexities of Brazilian employment law can be a daunting task for U.S. companies. From understanding the nuances of the CLT to setting up a local entity and managing tax compliance, the process can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Next Idea Tech offers a streamlined solution that simplifies hiring nearshore Brazilian software developers. By partnering with Next Idea Tech, U.S. companies can:

• Bypass the complexities of Brazilian employment law: Next Idea Tech handles all legal and regulatory requirements, including employment contracts, payroll, benefits, and tax compliance.

• Access a pre-vetted talent pool: Next Idea Tech’s rigorous vetting process ensures that you have access to highly skilled and qualified nearshore developers.

• Scale your team quickly and efficiently: Next Idea Tech’s on-demand scalability allows you to adjust your team size as needed, without the hassle of traditional hiring processes.

• Focus on your core business: Next Idea Tech takes care of all HR and administrative tasks, allowing you to focus on your core business objectives.

• Reduce costs and risks: Next Idea Tech’s comprehensive services can help you reduce hiring costs and mitigate the risks associated with non-compliance with Brazilian labor laws.

With Next Idea Tech, you can confidently tap into Brazil’s vibrant tech talent pool without the complexities of navigating the legal and regulatory landscape on your own. Schedule a consultation today to learn more.