Opening a company in Brazil as a non-resident is an ambitious project, but it is entirely achievable provided you understand the local administrative procedures. Brazil has simplified several processes in recent years, particularly through the digitalization of certain government agencies. This guide takes you through the complete process, from obtaining your first required document to getting your CNPJ activated.

Why Start a Business in Brazil?

Brazil remains one of the largest economies in Latin America, with a substantial domestic market and strong demand across a wide range of sectors, including technology, agribusiness, financial services, tourism, and retail. For a foreign investor, it provides an entry point to the broader South American market.

That said, Brazilian bureaucracy — sometimes referred to as the “Custo Brasil” — requires patience and careful preparation. Understanding the process in advance will help you avoid costly back-and-forth.

Requirements Before You Start

Obtain a CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas)

The CPF is the Brazilian equivalent of a tax identification number for individuals. Even as a foreigner, you need to have one in order to establish a company in Brazil.

How to obtain one:

• From abroad, through a Brazilian embassy or consulate
• While in Brazil, through a Receita Federal office, an authorized bank, or a post office (Correios)
• Online, through the Receita Federal website, for certain eligible countries

The processing time can range from a few days to several weeks, depending on the method used.

Appoint a Legal Representative Residing in Brazil

This is a key requirement for non-residents: you must appoint a procurador (legal representative) who is domiciled in Brazil. This person will act on your behalf for official matters, administrative notices, and any legal obligations that may arise in Brazil. The power of attorney must be notarized and, if issued abroad, apostilled in accordance with the Hague Convention.

Step 1: Choose the Legal Structure

Brazil offers several types of legal entities. The two most common options for foreign investors are:

• LTDA (Sociedade Limitada): similar to a French SARL, this structure is flexible and suitable for SMEs. It requires at least two partners, except in the case of an EIRELI (single-member entity, now incorporated into the SLU).
• SLU (Sociedade Limitada Unipessoal): allows a single shareholder to establish a limited liability company, with no statutory minimum capital requirement.
• SA (Sociedade Anônima): a joint-stock company structure, recommended for large-scale projects or companies planning a future stock market listing.

For most foreign entrepreneurs, an LTDA or SLU is the most practical choice.

Step 2: Draft the Company’s Articles of Association

The articles of association (contrato social) define the company’s business purpose, capital, ownership structure, and the responsibilities of the partners. This document must be drafted in Portuguese and comply with the requirements of the Brazilian Civil Code.

It is strongly recommended to seek the assistance of a Brazilian business lawyer (advogado empresarial) at this stage. An error in the articles of association can result in the application being rejected by the Junta Comercial.

Step 3: Register with the Junta Comercial

The Junta Comercial is the commercial registry of each Brazilian state. It is the authority that officially validates the incorporation of your company.

Documents generally required:

• The contrato social signed by all partners
• Copies of the identification documents and CPF numbers of each partner
• The power of attorney for the resident legal representative (if the partners are not present in Brazil)
• Proof of the company’s registered office address

Procedure:

Since 2020, most Brazilian states have allowed applications to be submitted through the REDESIM platform (Rede Nacional para a Simplificação do Registro e da Legalização de Empresas e Negócios), which centralizes the registration procedures. The São Paulo Commercial Registry (JUCESP) and the Rio de Janeiro Commercial Registry (JUCERJA), for example, have dedicated online portals.

Processing times generally range from a few days to several weeks, depending on the state and the completeness of the application.

Step 4: Obtain the CNPJ

The CNPJ (Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica) is your company’s tax identification number. Without it, you cannot open a corporate bank account, issue invoices, or enter into commercial contracts.

Since the introduction of REDESIM, the CNPJ is generally generated automatically during registration with the Junta Comercial, without a separate application to the Receita Federal in most cases.

However, certain regulated activities (finance, healthcare, education, etc.) may require additional registrations or prior authorizations before the CNPJ can be fully activated.

Step 5: Complete Additional Tax Registrations

Registration with INSS and the Social Security System

If you plan to hire employees, your company must register with Previdência Social (Brazil’s social security system). This is generally done alongside the tax registration process.

Choose Your Tax Regime

Brazil offers several taxation regimes:

• Simples Nacional: a simplified regime for companies whose annual revenue does not exceed a certain threshold (approximately BRL 4.8 million)
• Lucro Presumido: tax calculated based on a presumed profit margin
• Lucro Real: tax based on actual taxable profit, mandatory above a certain revenue threshold or for certain activities

The choice of tax regime has a direct impact on your overall tax burden. Consult a certified accountant (contador) before making this decision.

Registration for ISS or ICMS

Depending on your company’s activities (services or trade/manufacturing), you may need to register with the municipality for ISS (service tax) or with the state for ICMS (tax on the circulation of goods).

Step 6: Open a Corporate Bank Account

Once your CNPJ is active and you have your registration documents, you can open a bank account in your company’s name. Banks such as Itaú, Bradesco, Santander Brasil, as well as digital banks such as Inter and Nubank Empresas, offer business banking services.

For non-residents, this step can be more complicated. Some banks require the physical presence of the legal representative or shareholders, or impose additional requirements on companies with foreign capital.

Key Considerations for Non-Residents

• Language: all official procedures are conducted in Portuguese. Assistance from a local professional is almost essential.
• Timeframes: allow between 4 and 12 weeks to complete the entire process, depending on the state and the complexity of your structure.
• Costs: registration fees vary by state, while legal and accounting fees often represent the largest expense.
• Double taxation: check whether your country has a tax treaty with Brazil in order to optimize your personal tax situation.

Conclusion

Setting up a company in Brazil as a foreigner in 2026 follows a well-defined process: obtaining a CPF, appointing a legal representative, registering with the Junta Comercial, obtaining a CNPJ, and completing the relevant tax registrations. The progressive digitalization of administrative procedures has made the process easier, but Brazil’s regulatory complexity makes it highly advisable to work with a local lawyer and accountant. With proper preparation, establishing a business in Brazil remains accessible and can provide access to a high-potential market.