Hire in Brazil
Tap into Latin America's largest talent market without navigating Brazil's complex CLT labour law alone. Vectis handles FGTS, INSS, eSocial, 13th salary, and the full 70–80% employer cost structure.
Quick Facts
Brazilian Employment Law Guide
A practical overview of Brazil's CLT framework — from FGTS and INSS to the mandatory 13th salary, eSocial real-time reporting, and termination obligations.
Employment Contracts (CLT)
- ✓CLT (Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho) governs all employment — highly protective of workers
- ✓Indefinite-term contracts are the norm; fixed-term (contrato determinado) max 2 years
- ✓Written contract required; employee CTPS (Carteira de Trabalho) must be annotated on day 1
- ✓Probation: up to 90 days (two 45-day periods); auto-converts to indefinite if not terminated
- ✓Remote work (teletrabalho) requires a written addendum specifying equipment and expense rules
Working Hours & Overtime
- ✓Standard: 8h/day, 44h/week; daily limit 10h including overtime
- ✓Overtime: +50% premium on weekdays; +100% on Sundays and public holidays
- ✓Banco de horas agreements allow overtime offset with compensatory rest (requires union)
- ✓Intermittent work contracts permitted since 2017 Labour Reform (Law 13,467)
- ✓Minimum 1h lunch break for shifts over 6h; mandatory 11h rest between shifts
Leave Entitlements
- ✓30 calendar days paid vacation after 12 months; may be split into up to 3 periods
- ✓Vacation bonus (abono de férias): 1/3 extra salary on top of vacation pay — mandatory
- ✓120 days fully paid maternity leave; extendable to 180 days under Empresa Cidadã
- ✓5 days paternity leave (standard); 20 days under Empresa Cidadã programme
- ✓12 national public holidays + variable state and municipal holidays by location
Wages & 13th Salary
- ✓Salário Mínimo: R$1,412/month (2024); some states set higher minimums
- ✓13th salary (décimo terceiro) mandatory: 50% by Nov 30, remainder by Dec 20
- ✓PLR (profit-sharing) must be negotiated via union agreement; not unilaterally set by employer
- ✓Vale Transporte (transport voucher) mandatory unless employee waives in writing
- ✓Vale Refeição / Alimentação: not statutory but expected and common via sector CBAs
Social Contributions (FGTS/INSS)
- ✓FGTS (severance fund): employer deposits 8% of gross salary monthly into employee account
- ✓INSS (social security): employer contributes ~20% + RAT accident insurance (1–3%)
- ✓Sistema S (SESI, SENAI, SEBRAE): ~5.8% additional employer contribution
- ✓eSocial: all HR/payroll events must be reported to the federal government in real time
- ✓Total employer cost including all mandatory contributions: ~70–80% of gross salary
Termination
- ✓Without-cause dismissal: FGTS balance + 40% FGTS penalty + notice period + proportional entitlements
- ✓Notice period: 30 days + 3 days per full year of service (max 90 days)
- ✓Pay in lieu of notice (aviso prévio indenizado) is common and accepted practice
- ✓Protected employees (pregnant workers, union reps, CIPA members) cannot be dismissed without cause
- ✓Formal termination requires precise calculations; disputes go to the Labour Court (TRT)
How to Hire in Brazil with Vectis
From offer letter to first payroll — fully compliant with Brazil's CLT.
Share the details
Role, salary in BRL, state/city (affects local holidays and CBAs), and start date. We confirm applicable union agreements.
CLT contract & CTPS
Portuguese-language CLT contract, digital CTPS annotation, and eSocial admission event filed before day one.
FGTS, INSS & benefits
FGTS account linkage (8% monthly), INSS registration, transport voucher, and health plan enrollment via eSocial.
Monthly payroll & eSocial
Full folha de pagamento with INSS, IRRF, FGTS, and all mandatory deductions. eSocial events filed monthly.
“Brazil was the most complex hire we'd attempted — 70%+ employer cost, CLT rules, and eSocial felt impenetrable. Vectis walked us through every line item and had our São Paulo engineer live in 4 days.”
Public Holidays in Brazil
Brazil has 12 national public holidays. State and municipal holidays add additional days. Vectis tracks all holiday obligations by state automatically.
Brazil Hiring FAQs
Common questions about employing staff in Brazil.
Ready to hire in Brazil?
Vectis is your Employer of Record in Brazil — managing CLT compliance, FGTS, eSocial reporting, 13th salary, and the full mandatory benefits stack.
Hire in Brazil compliantly — CLT experts on standby
No entity required. Onboard in 48 hours.