Banking
Brazil — Banking: Required Documents
Opening a Brazilian bank account requires a CPF (tax ID) as the non-negotiable first step, plus a valid passport and proof of address. Traditional banks may additionally require a visa/residence permit (RNM) and proof of income; digital banks generally require just CPF, passport, and a Brazilian address.
VerifiedCommunity sourceWise, ZS Advogados, and getCPF.com guides on bank account requirements for foreigners in BrazilLast reviewed: 2026-08-31
Why this matters
Missing or incomplete documentation — especially not having a CPF first — is the most common reason account applications are delayed or rejected, so knowing the exact list before starting saves trips to a branch or repeated app rejections.
Key facts
- A CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) is required before any bank, traditional or digital, will open an account — it can be obtained from abroad via a Brazilian consulate or in Brazil at Caixa/Banco do Brasil branches or post offices for a small fee (around R$5.70).
- A valid passport and proof of address are required by essentially all banks.
- Some traditional banks additionally require a visa or RNM (Registro Nacional Migratório, the Brazilian residence permit) and proof of income.
- Non-residents without Brazilian tax residency can, at some banks, use the Central Bank-regulated 'Conta de Domiciliado no Exterior', which does not require a Brazilian address or RNM but instead requires a foreign tax ID and proof of address abroad.
Costs
- CPF issuance fee: Approximately R$5.70 (about US$1.60) if obtained in person in Brazil; often free when issued via a consulate abroad
Required documents
- CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas)
- Valid passport
- Proof of address
- Visa or RNM (residence permit) — required by some traditional banks
- Proof of income — required by some traditional banks
- Foreign tax ID and proof of foreign address — for the non-resident 'Conta de Domiciliado no Exterior' option
Common mistakes
- Attempting to open any account before obtaining a CPF
- Assuming the same document list applies to every bank — traditional banks often ask for more than digital banks