Open a Brazil Bank Account as a Non-Resident

The fastest way to feel “local” in Brazil

If you own (or are about to buy) property in Brazil, you will run into Brazil-only payment rails quickly. Condominium fees, utilities, service providers and many taxes are commonly paid through local systems.

If you’re searching for a Brazil non-resident bank account, you’re usually trying to solve one simple problem:

“How do I manage my property and payments without relying on friends or last-minute workarounds?”

We help you open bank account in Brazil as a non-resident so you can pay bills, receive rent and manage your property with a clean, organized financial record. If you’ve typed Brazil bank account for foreigners into Google, you’re not alone — this is one of the most common pain points for international owners.

And yes — in some cases you can open bank account in Brazil from abroad through non-resident onboarding paths, depending on your profile and the bank’s policies. Many standard accounts still require additional verification steps, and requirements vary by bank.

Need a Brazil bank account?
We’ll guide you step-by-step.

[email protected]
+55 21 2038 5424
+55 21 95939 2696
+55 11 95343 2424

#1 Contact us for guidance.

#2 Schedule a consultation now.

Why non-resident banking is different

Brazil’s Central Bank sets the rules for accounts held by non-residents in Brazilian reais, and banks apply strict KYC and compliance checks. Preparation matters.

Our job is to help you show up to onboarding with the right documents and a clear explanation of purpose so your application does not stall. This is where CPF for Brazil bank account matters: most banks will not proceed without a CPF, even if you are not a resident.

Many people first learn about the CPF requirement when they search “need CPF to open bank account in Brazil” or “CPF requirement Brazil bank account.” We plan the order of operations so your CPF, onboarding and closing deadlines stay aligned.

Opening a bank account in Brazil?
Avoid delays with a clear plan.

[email protected]
+55 21 2038 5424
+55 21 95939 2696
+55 11 95343 2424

#1 Contact us for guidance.

#2 Schedule a consultation now.

What you can do with a Brazil account

A properly structured Brazil bank account for foreigners makes day-to-day property ownership dramatically simpler. Once approved, you can:

Pay condominium fees, utilities and service providers using local bill payment methods.
Send and receive Pix transfers (Brazil’s instant payment rails) when available through your bank.
Receive rent from tenants and track income and expenses in one place.
Pay professionals involved in your transaction, such as inspectors and notary costs.
Keep a clean record of cash flow for accounting and tax reporting.

Our account-opening support

Opening a Brazil non-resident bank account is more than filling out a form — it’s a compliance process.

We help you succeed:

Pre-check eligibility: We confirm the best onboarding path based on your nationality and residence.
KYC file preparation: We help you organize passport, proof of address and professional or income information.
CPF readiness: We guide CPF for Brazil bank account timing and explain translation/notarization steps if required.
Remote onboarding coordination: When available, we help you open bank account in Brazil from abroad using video onboarding and a clean documentation trail.
Practical setup: We confirm online banking access and card delivery logistics where available.

Need remote onboarding?
Open your account from abroad.

[email protected]
+55 21 2038 5424
+55 21 95939 2696
+55 11 95343 2424

#1 Contact us for guidance.

#2 Schedule a consultation now.

Typical timeline

When your documents are ready and the bank path fits your profile, onboarding timelines can vary — from about 2 business days in some fully online non-resident offerings to around 7 business days in common CDE pathways. Still, the timeline changes from case to case.

Here’s what usually affects speed:

Document readiness: passport, CPF, proof of address, and proof of income/source of funds.
Verification steps: some banks require a video call or extra checks.
Bank policy: each bank has its own onboarding rules for non-residents.
Small mismatches: name formatting, outdated address proof, or unclear income docs can trigger delays.

At Camila Saunier International Realty, we treat account opening like a closing task — with a simple checklist and deadlines:

Start early if you’re buying property and trying to open bank account in Brazil.
Align banking with your contract timeline (ITBI, notary costs, condo fees, utilities, rent).
Prepare your file upfront so the bank doesn’t pause the process mid-review.

This keeps the process calmer and helps you avoid last-minute stress right before signing.

Real-life Brazil scenario

Pix is powerful — and because it moves money instantly, it can also be targeted by sophisticated fraud. In July 2025, Brazilian authorities said a cyberattack diverted more than 540 million reais (about $100 million) from Brazil’s banking systems, and they arrested a suspect connected to the breach. The report explains that the attack affected Pix, and that hackers targeted C&M, a software provider that connects financial institutions to Brazil’s Central Bank to enable Pix transactions. Authorities alleged the suspect (a C&M IT employee) sold his credentials after being recruited, and the attackers then executed large fake Pix operations in a single night.

That’s why this incident is a practical reminder that “having Pix” isn’t the same as being protected. When fraud hinges on credential access and social engineering, the best defense is disciplined onboarding and account hygiene:

treat identity verification seriously,
keep credentials private,
avoid sharing logins with third parties,
and be cautious with unexpected requests or “urgent” payment instructions.

In the same report, authorities said they moved to freeze assets tied to the scheme and the Central Bank suspended part of C&M’s operations after the company took measures to reduce further risk — reinforcing that secure setup and ongoing digital hygiene are not optional.

Source: Police in Brazil arrest a suspect over $100M banking hack (July 2025) [1] [2]

Ready to move forward?

If you want to buy, insure, finance or manage property in Brazil from abroad, you don’t need to figure it out alone. Here are the two fastest next steps:

#1 Start your non-resident Brazil bank account onboarding. (open)

#2 Schedule a call to align your bank account with your property plan. (schedule)

Or contact us directly:

Email: [email protected]

Phone/WhatsApp:
+55 21 2038 5424
+55 21 95939 2696
+55 11 95343 2424

Sources and further reading

Need a Brazil account fast?
Let’s start your file today.

[email protected]
+55 21 2038 5424
+55 21 95939 2696
+55 11 95343 2424

#1 Contact us for guidance.

#2 Schedule a consultation now.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Do I need residency to open a bank account in Brazil?

Not always. Some banks and account types support onboarding for foreigners using a passport and proof of address abroad. Eligibility and requirements vary — which is why we pre-check the best path.

2. Do I need a CPF first?

Often yes. CPF for Brazil bank account is a common requirement, and CPF is also required for most real estate transactions. If you don’t have one, we help you plan the sequence.

3. Can I receive international transfers into my Brazil account?

Often yes, but the bank will usually require a clear purpose and supporting documents. For property purchases and large transfers, we coordinate documentation in parallel.

4. Will I get online banking and a debit card?

In most cases, yes. Access and delivery depend on the bank and account type. We confirm these details before you commit.

5. Can you guarantee approval?

No. Banks make final decisions. We reduce friction by ensuring your file is complete and consistent — which improves your odds.

Disclaimer

This page is informational and does not constitute legal, tax, financial, or banking advice. Requirements, pricing and timelines can change based on your nationality, bank policies and local laws. Camila Saunier International Realty is a real estate agency and not a bank or law firm. When legal representation is needed, we coordinate introductions to independent, licensed Brazilian attorneys, including our partner Oliveira Lawyers.

Non-Resident Account Opening

Open a Brazil Bank Account as a Non-Resident

The fastest way to feel “local” in Brazil