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STARTING A BUSINESS IN BRAZIL

Enter the Brazilian market without the guesswork.

Foreign entrepreneurs and companies choosing Brazil face a market with real opportunity — and real bureaucracy. We handle company formation, regulatory registration and corporate structuring so you can focus on running your business.

💬 Talk to our team See if you qualify
6–10
weeks, on average, from start to an operational company with a bank account.
100%
foreign ownership allowed in most business activities — no local partner required.
Brazil
nationwide company registration, based in João Pessoa (PB) and São Paulo (SP).
ELIGIBILITY

Who qualifies.

Brazil places very few restrictions on foreign business ownership, but a handful of situations need special attention.

✓Foreign individuals and foreign companies of any nationality — there is no general restriction on foreign ownership for most activities.
✓Founders without Brazilian residency. A CPF (tax ID) can be obtained as part of the incorporation process itself.
✓Any structure that fits your goals: Sociedade Limitada (LTDA), Sociedade Anônima (S.A.), or — less commonly — a branch of a foreign company.
PAPERWORK

Main documents you'll need.

✓Certified copy of the passport of each foreign partner/shareholder.
✓Power of attorney appointing a Brazil-based legal representative, notarized and apostilled in the country of origin.
✓Proof of address for each foreign shareholder (utility bill or bank statement).
✓Corporate documents of any foreign corporate shareholder (certificate of incorporation, articles of association), apostilled and sworn-translated into Portuguese.
✓Business activity description (CNAE code) and initial capital amount.
TIMELINE

Approximate timeline.

1–3 wks

Documents & apostille

Preparing and legalizing documents abroad — timing depends heavily on your home country.

10–20 days

Company registration

Filing with the Junta Comercial, Receita Federal (CNPJ) and municipal/state registrations.

2–4 wks

Bank account

Brazilian banks apply enhanced due diligence to foreign-owned companies — build in extra time here.

Total: roughly 6–10 weeks from start to an operational company with a bank account.

BUDGET

Government fees & likely additional costs.

Approximate figures — confirm current amounts with us before budgeting.

Junta Comercial registration fee R$ 200–600
Notary / apostille costs abroad (per document) ≈ US$ 100–300
Sworn translation (per document) R$ 150–400
Accounting setup & monthly fee R$ 300–1,500/mo
Legal fees for structuring & incorporation Quoted per engagement

Figures are approximate and vary by state, service provider and country of origin — always confirm current amounts before budgeting.

PITFALLS

Common mistakes we see.

✕Choosing the wrong corporate/tax regime before incorporating (Simples Nacional vs. Lucro Presumido vs. Lucro Real).
✕Underestimating how long apostille takes at home, delaying the whole timeline.
✕Starting the process without a reliable Brazil-based legal representative already appointed.
✕Registering an overly narrow business activity (CNAE) that doesn't cover the real business, forcing a costly amendment later.
✕Assuming a foreign-owned company can open a Brazilian bank account as fast as a domestic one.
HOW WE HELP

What we do.

✓Structure the right entity type and shareholding for your goals and tax position.
✓Prepare and file all incorporation documents with the Junta Comercial, Receita Federal and municipal/state registrations.
✓Coordinate apostille and sworn translation of your foreign documents.
✓Act as your legal representative in Brazil during setup, if needed.
✓Support bank account opening and introduce you to vetted accounting partners.
✓Provide ongoing corporate, contract, tax and employment counsel after launch.
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION

Planning to bring your business to Brazil?

Talk to our team before you file anything — a short conversation can save weeks and avoid costly structuring mistakes.

💬 Book a consultation