🇧🇷 São Paulo Time Zone: The Complete Guide to Brazil's Megacity
Current time in São Paulo: 04:18 AM
São Paulo operates on Brasília Time (BRT), which is UTC-3 year-round. As the largest city in South America and the Southern Hemisphere, São Paulo is the economic heart of Brazil and Latin America — home to the B3 stock exchange, countless multinational headquarters, and a vibrant culture that never sleeps.
Brazil abolished Daylight Saving Time in 2019, which has significant implications for international business. São Paulo no longer changes clocks, meaning its time difference with Northern Hemisphere cities shifts throughout the year. When New York moves to EDT in March, the gap with São Paulo shrinks from 2 hours to just 1 hour — a detail that catches many off guard.
Beyond finance, São Paulo is a global cultural powerhouse with world-class museums, the largest Japanese community outside Japan, and a restaurant scene rivaling any global capital. Understanding São Paulo time is essential whether you're trading on B3, coordinating with Brazilian partners, or planning to explore this magnificent megacity.
⚡ Quick Facts: São Paulo Time Zone
Time Zone Details
- • Zone: BRT (UTC-3)
- • Full Name: Brasília Time
- • Daylight Saving: Observed
- • DST Period: Mar → Nov
Location & Region
- • Coordinates: 23.6°S, 46.6°W
- • Region: Americas
Best Overlap Windows:
Need exact conversions? Try our Time Converter or Meeting Planner
📚 Explore São Paulo Guides
Business Hours
Banks, shops, and Brazilian work culture
Best Time to Visit
Weather, Carnival, and cultural festivals
Remote Work
Working with Brazilian teams across time zones
24 Hours in São Paulo
From Paulista to legendary nightlife
Best Time to Call
Optimal calling windows from anywhere
B3 Bovespa Hours
Brazilian stock market trading times
Brazilian Holidays
Carnival, national days, and festivals
Digital Nomad
Coworking and remote work in SP
Time Difference
São Paulo vs NYC, London, Miami
Travel Planning
Airports, Metro, and getting around
São Paulo Time vs Major Cities
| City | Difference | When it's 12 PM in São Paulo |
|---|---|---|
| 🗽 New York | -2 hours | 10:00 AM |
| 🎡 London | +3 hours | 3:00 PM |
| 🍣 Tokyo | +12 hours | 12:00 AM (+1) |
| 🏦 Frankfurt | +4 hours | 4:00 PM |
* Times shown use standard time. During DST transitions, differences may vary by 1 hour. See detailed time differences →
🕐 Understanding São Paulo Time
Brasília Time: No More Daylight Saving
In 2019, Brazil permanently ended daylight saving time after studies showed it no longer provided energy savings due to changes in electricity consumption patterns. This means São Paulo stays on UTC-3 throughout the entire year.
What this means for international scheduling: The time difference between São Paulo and Northern Hemisphere cities now changes based on their DST transitions, not Brazil's. For example, São Paulo is 2 hours ahead of New York in winter (EST) but only 1 hour ahead in summer (EDT). Keep a calendar of US/European DST changes when scheduling calls.
B3: Latin America's Largest Stock Exchange
B3 (Brasil Bolsa Balcão) is the result of a 2017 merger between BM&FBOVESPA and CETIP, creating one of the world's largest exchanges by market capitalization. It's the primary venue for trading Brazilian equities, derivatives, and fixed income.
Key trading hours (BRT):
- Pre-market: 9:45 AM - 10:00 AM
- Regular session: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- After-market: 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
- Derivatives may have extended hours
For US investors: B3 regular hours overlap well with NYSE (10:00 AM - 5:00 PM BRT = 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM EST in winter).
São Paulo Work Culture: The City That Never Stops
Paulistanos (São Paulo residents) are known for their work ethic. Unlike the beach-focused stereotype of Rio, São Paulo is all business — often compared to New York for its relentless pace. Late meetings, dinners that start at 9 PM, and working weekends are common.
Language note: While business leaders often speak English, most Brazilians do not. Having Portuguese language support for calls and emails significantly improves business relationships. "Jeitinho brasileiro" (the Brazilian way) means flexibility and relationship-building are valued over rigid schedules.
💡 Practical Tips for Different Needs
🏢 For International Business
- • NYC overlap: Excellent (1-2h difference)
- • London overlap: Good (3-4h behind)
- • Relationships matter: Build rapport before deals
- • Brazilians often run 15-30 min late — it's cultural
- • Carnival week = country essentially shuts down
✈️ For Travellers
- • From NYC: 10-hour flight, +2h time change
- • From London: 11-hour flight, -3h adjustment
- • From Miami: 8-hour flight, +2h change
- • GRU (Guarulhos): International flights, 25km from center
- • CGH (Congonhas): Domestic flights, much closer
💼 For Remote Workers
- • Brazilian work style: Warm, relationship-focused
- • Core hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM BRT, but flexibility common
- • WhatsApp is essential for business communication
- • Coffee culture = meetings often start with cafezinho
- • Friday afternoons may wind down early
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between São Paulo and New York?
São Paulo is typically 2 hours ahead of New York during US Eastern Standard Time (EST). When it's 12:00 PM in New York, it's 2:00 PM in São Paulo. However, during US daylight saving time (March-November), the difference is only 1 hour since Brazil abolished DST in 2019. So when New York is on EDT, São Paulo is just 1 hour ahead.
Does São Paulo observe daylight saving time?
No, Brazil abolished Daylight Saving Time in 2019. São Paulo now stays on Brasília Time (BRT/UTC-3) year-round. This means the time difference between São Paulo and Northern Hemisphere cities changes throughout the year based on whether those cities observe DST, not São Paulo. This can be confusing for scheduling — always confirm current time differences.
What time does the B3 stock exchange open in São Paulo?
B3 (Brasil Bolsa Balcão), the Brazilian stock exchange, opens at 10:00 AM BRT and closes at 5:00 PM BRT for regular trading. Pre-market runs from 9:45 AM to 10:00 AM, and after-market trading runs until 6:00 PM. For US investors, this means B3 opens at 8:00 AM EST (winter) or 9:00 AM EDT (summer), overlapping significantly with NYSE hours.
What is the time difference between São Paulo and London?
São Paulo is 3 hours behind London during British Standard Time (winter). When it's 3:00 PM in London (GMT), it's 12:00 PM in São Paulo (BRT). During British Summer Time (late March to late October), the difference increases to 4 hours. Brazil's lack of DST means London-São Paulo scheduling requires attention to UK clock changes.
What time zone is São Paulo in?
São Paulo is in the Brasília Time Zone (BRT), which is UTC-3. This is Brazil's official time zone, used by São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasília. Brazil spans four time zones, but BRT covers the most populous regions. Since 2019, there is no daylight saving time, so BRT (UTC-3) applies year-round.
What is the best time to call São Paulo from the US?
The best time to call São Paulo from the US East Coast is 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM EST, which reaches São Paulo during business hours (11:00 AM - 5:00 PM BRT in winter, or 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM BRT in summer when the US is on EDT). From the West Coast, try 6:00 AM - 12:00 PM PST. Brazilians often work late, so evening calls can also work.
What are typical business hours in São Paulo?
Standard São Paulo business hours are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM BRT, Monday through Friday. However, Paulistanos are known for working late — it's not unusual for meetings to run until 8:00 PM or later. Banks operate 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Shops typically open 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and restaurants serve until midnight or later.
When is Carnival in São Paulo?
São Paulo's Carnival typically falls in February or early March, 47 days before Easter (dates vary yearly). While Rio's Carnival is more famous, São Paulo has massive street parties (blocos) and samba school parades. During Carnival week, many businesses close or operate on reduced hours from Friday through Ash Wednesday. Plan accordingly for business travel.
🔗 Ready to Dive Deeper?
This overview is just the start. Explore our detailed guides on specific topics: