This step-by-step guide will walk you through how to get your Brazil CPF number for foreigners in 2025 and I’ll also share my local gringa insider tips with you on how to get a CPF in Brazil as a foreigner to make the process super easy!
Are you a foreigner living in Brazil or planning to move to Brazil soon?
One essential thing you’ll need to do is get your Brazilian CPF number (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas), which is, basically, your Brazilian Social Security number.
Quick Answer: There are 3 different ways you can get your Brazilian CPF for foreigners. Choose the method that applies to your current circumstances.
- Online + Email Application (free)
- Brazilians & foreigners in or outside of Brazil can use this method
- Online + In-Person Application (free at Receita Federal) (R$7 at affiliated locations, like Correios – post office)
- for Brazilians & foreigners who are in Brazil at the time of application.
- Brazil Consulate Appointment + In-Person Application
- for foreigners outside of Brazil if method 1 didn’t work (not sure if there is a cost but I don’t think so)
In Brazil, having a CPF number doesn’t automatically mean that you will have to pay taxes in Brazil, but you do need this number to do many things in Brazil, like opening a bank account, buying property, renting an apartment, online shopping, and getting a driver’s license.
In this guide, I’ll share with you everything you need to know about the Brazil CPF number for foreigners from my first-hand experience as a Gringa living in Brazil. Including how to easily apply for your Brazilian CPF number, why you need it, document requirements and must-know tips.
Plus, I’ve made a checklist for you to download with the step-by-step process to make the process super easy. You can download the checklist here! It couldn’t be simpler!
In This Post
What is a Brazilian CPF number and Why Do foreigners Need it?
Let me start by saying that it’s important to note that a CPF number has nothing to do with your VISA, Brazilian Residency (RNE/ RNM), or the amount of time you may stay in Brazil.
CPF stands for Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas, which translates to “Physical Persons Register” in English. It’s a unique 11-digit identification number assigned to individuals living in Brazil, similar to a Social Security number in the United States.
“Enroll in the Individual Taxpayer Registry (CPF). The Individual Taxpayer Registry (CPF) is a database managed by the Federal Revenue Service of Brazil (RFB), which stores registration information on taxpayers required to register with the CPF, or citizens who have voluntarily registered.” – www.gov.br
CPF is used for many things in Brazil, but don’t worry, just because you are a registered tax payer in Brazil doesn’t mean that you will need to pay taxes in Brazil.
The tax law in Brazil is that Non-Residents in Brazil only pay tax on income gained from Brazilian sources, but are not taxed on their foreign income.
Brazilian foreign residents (you live in Brazil, have a legal Brazilian permanent Visa, or a temporary Visa for 183+ days in a 12 month period) are taxed on income gained from Brazilian sources, and also need to declare their foreign income.
You can read more about Brazilian tax regulations for foreigners here.
The reason that foreigners and expats in Brazil need a CPF number is to be able to do basic processes for daily living, including opening a bank account or getting a driver’s license. You can read more about it on the official gov.br site here.
Who needs a CPF in Brazil?
If you are planning on staying in Brazil for an extended amount of time, ie. you’re not just in Brazil for a holiday.
You need a CPF number if you are or are going to be living in Brazil as a:
- Digital Nomad
- Expat
- Student
- Employee
- Business owner/ Entrepreneur
- Retiree
And, also if you will be doing the following in Brazil:
- Buying property
- Investing
You do NOT need a CPF if you’re a tourist visiting Brazil on vacation.
You can get one if you want to. If you wanted to buy things online locally for example, and you don’t have a Brazilian friend’s CPF that you could use.
But it’s not necessary.
You DO NOT need a CPF number to buy a local pay as you go SIM card in Brazil! Please don’t fall for this.
How to Get a CPF in Brazil for Foreigners in Brazil
Getting a Brazil CPF Number as a foreigner in Brazil is a relatively straightforward process, if you know the steps, and they are the same for Brazilian citizens and foreigners.
There are 3 methods of applying:
Method 1
Online + Email Application (recommended):
- fill in the online form here and
- send through all necessary documents via email.
- Or navigate from here and choose the correct service for your case.
Method 2
Online + In-person Application (in Brazil):
- follow the online application process of method 1,
- print necessary documents, then
- visit your nearest “Receita Federal” (Federal Revenue) government office in person or associated partner service points.
Method 3
Online Appointment + In-person Application (Abroad):
- (or you can try method 1 first to see if it works)
- if you’re not in Brazil, make an appointment on the e-consular website,
- visit your country’s Brazilian Consulate, and
- hand in necessary CPF Application documents(or you can try method 1 first to see if it works)
- There are Receita Federal (Federal Revenue) offices in all states and major cities in Brazil, and there are Brazilian Consular offices all around the world too, check here for Brazilian Consular Offices around the world.
- NOTE: you still need to do the above online process and print out your application form and sign it, then take it and your other necessary documents (printed) to the physical place – you can’t fill in the application form or do your photos at these places on the day.
There used to be a fourth method, applying via email only, but this method is not offered anymore. It is now an online + email method – you need to get the application form online by filling in the online form first, then you will get your application form that you can then send in your email along with your other necessary documents.
>Download my FREE How to get your Brazil CPF Step by Step Checklist for foreigners!
How to apply for a Brazil CPF number for foreigners online
General Steps for Methods 1 and 2:
You need to do the following steps for both method 1 (online + email) and method 2 (In-PersonApplication)
Step 1
Go to the official www.gov.br site and access the CPF Application by following these steps:
Click on:
- Finances, Taxes and Public Management (Financas, Impostos e Gestao Publica) >
- CPF, CNJP and other Registrations (CPF, CNJP e Outras Castrados) >
- Individual CPF (Pessoa Fisica CPF) >
- Register with the CPF Abroad (Inscrever no CPF no Exterior)
Here you will find all of the official information and necessary links, and also all official information regarding the cpf for foreigners and document requirements.
Remember – you can translate all web pages to english, or your language by right clicking your mouse and scrolling down to “Translate to …”, select your language, and google translate will translate the entire page for you.
OR
Go directly to the Online Application here.
Step 2:
Select your home country of residence from the dropdown menu
- Select “Registration”
- Fill in the form
- for more guidance on filling out the form correctly and tips, download my free CPF for foreigners checklist
- You might get a “pop-ups blocked” notification at this point – select “Always allow popups and redirects from…”
- You will be redirected to the Application Form available to download.
- Print the Application Form
- it will already be filled in digitally with the information you input in the previous step, you will just need to sign the form and add your location.
- you can complete and sign the form digitally, but sometimes the Receita Federal doesn’t accept the application this way, it’s recommended to print and scan (if using method 1)
- Scan the completed form and upload to your device as a digital pdf file (if using method 1) – I use camscanner app or files app on iphone to scan docs and images.
- Take the 2x necessary photos:
- A photo or scan of your passport or ID
- A ”selfie” in which you appear holding your identification document open, close to your face (see example below); upload photo to your device digitally as jpeg, png, or pdf files. – it’s recommended to scan images with a scanner app and save as a pdf file for best results and to make sure the images are clear and readable.
- Complete the application process by either the
- Online + Email method OR
- the In-Person Method (Local or Abroad)
Now that you have completed the preparation stage (steps 1-8), you can now choose how you want to proceed with your application process, method 1 (online + email) or method 2 (online + in-person). See the exact next steps below.
Method 1 – Online + Email
Send an email to cp********************@*****ov.br (use the email address that you entered into the “Fill Reason”.
Subject line: Application for Brazilian CPF + your unique service code found on your FCPF application page (eg. 5895241489)
Attach the following documents that you prepared to the email:
- FCPF Application Form – completed and signed;
- Identification document/ Passport (clear jpg/ png photo/ scanned pdf image)
- “Selfie” photo in which you appear holding your identification document open, close to your face (clear jpg/png photo/ scanned pdf image);
- Birth or marriage certificate (only if necessary as explained above);
- For children under 16: “selfie” of the father or mother, holding their own identification document (not the minor’s).
If this method doesn’t work for some reason, try filling in this form here. I don’t really know why there are 2 different online application methods (probably just to confuse us haha), but if you have any trouble with the online+email application, you can try this online application for locals and foreigners. Foreigners can leave blank: ZIP (CEP), and some address details that will not be clickable. If you add a Brazilian CEP (zip code), your address will be filled in automatically.
This online application must be followed with method 2 (in-person application) and requires you to go to a Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Reserve) office. It’s kind of like you already started your process online, but you will need to complete it in-person.
Here’s what the online application form looks like:
If you translate this form to another language to fill it in, remember that you must change it back to the original language (br. portuguese) before you hit send (enviar), otherwise it will not send.
When translating back to the original portuguese version, it might wipe your data that you filled in though, so you might need to write down or memorize what data to fill in where on the form, and not translate the form.
Then you will be redirected to this page which is a CPF Application Protocol, which you can take to your nearest Receita Federal office with the accompanying documents.
This protocol (application) is valid for 90 days.
Be sure to print a Brazilian Portuguese version, and one copy in your language too.
- I don’t recommend just going to a Receita Federal without having some printed evidence of an online application form that you have already completed, chances are that they won’t help you if you just show up there saying you want to apply for a CPF. Follow my steps and it should be a smooth easy process.
Some Notes:
On the site www.gov.br, it states that if you’re a foreigner applying from abroad, you will need to attend your nearest consulate office in person to hand in your documents and appy, but this hasn’t been my and many other people’s experience.
If you are a foreigner inside or outside of Brazil, you should be able to send your documents and apply via method 1 (online + email).
My advice – try the online + email method first. If it doesn’t work or you haven’t received your CPF via email, any feedback, or there is no update when checking your CPF Application status (or you have no status), then follow the steps for “foreigners residing abroad” – find your Brazilian Consulate Office in your country and schedule the CPF request service through the e-consular system at the chosen consulate or embassy (https://econsular.itamaraty.gov.br/). See method 3 below.
Method 2: In- Person
Use this method if you are in Brazil and the online+email method doesn’t work or the service is down.
You can find your nearest Receita Federal Office in your state and city in Brazil here.
Or you can go to one of the affiliated service partner units in person in Brazil:
- Civil Registry Office of Natural Persons ;
- Bank of Brazil (Banco do Brasil);
- Caixa Econômica Federal; or
- Mail (Correios)
Estimated waiting time: Up to 15 minute(s)
FEE: R$7.00 (approx. $1.30 US)- this R$7.00 fee is only payable if you make your application in-person at one of these service partner units in Brazil. There is no fee involved in the online+email, in-person at a Receita federal office, or abroad at a Consular office methods – it’s a free service.
Be sure to have these printed documents with you: (same documents that you would email for method 1)
- FCPF Application Form – completed and signed
- Identification document/ Passport (clear jpg/ png photo/ scanned pdf image)
- “Selfie” photo in which you appear holding your identification document open, close to your face (clear jpg/png photo/ scanned pdf image)
- Birth or marriage certificate (only if necessary as explained above)
- For children under 16: “selfie” of the father or mother, holding their own identification document (not the minor’s)
- Plus have your original ID or passport on hand
Method 3: Abroad In-Person
Use this method if you are outside of Brazil and the online+email method doesn’t work.
Remember to first try method 1 (online+email), it should work irrespective of where you are in the world at the time of application.
If it doesn’t work, make use of the Consular Office in your country. Here is a link to the official gov.br site that explains the process to follow in detail, with links, and in English: www.gov.br
Service at the Consular Office
- If the citizen is unable to make the request via email, the service may be requested from the Consular Office.
For more information, search for the Consular Office closest to your residence by clicking here. – www.gov.br
Congrats!! You just applied for your Brazilian CPF, one of the most important documents for anyone living in Brazil! Now the only thing left to do is wait.
Documents Required for CPF for Foreigners Brazil Application (all methods)
To apply for a Brazilian CPF for foreigners, you’ll need digital or printed versions of the following documents:
- Your Passport or Identity Document
- Your Birth/ Marriage Certificate (only if you are under 16 years old or your passport does not state your mother’s name or country of residence)
- Your CPF Application Form (completed and signed) FCPF
- Photos:
- A clear photo of your passport/ ID document (showing your face & mother’s name)
- A selfie photo showing your face from the shoulders up and you holding your passport/ ID document next to your face. Make sure all details are clear.
TIP: Upload your photo to a scanner app on your phone to make your documents into a digital pdf version to make sure the photo is clear and readable.
Where to Apply for a Brazil CPF Number for Foreigners
You can apply for a CPF via online application and email (method 1), in-person at any Receita Federal office located throughout Brazil (method 2), or at a Brazilian Consulate office around the world (method 3).
These offices are usually found in major cities and towns. You’ll need to fill in an online application form first for all of the above methods.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Brazil CPF Number for foreigners in Brazil?
The process of getting a CPF as a foreigner in Brazil is usually quick, mine took about a week to arrive via email.
Once you submit your application and documents, you’ll receive an email from the Receita Federal confirming your application and then an email with your digital CPF number.
You can also check on your application status here.
What does the CPF look like?
The CPF used to be a physical blue card, like a bank card, but not anymore. You won’t receive anything physical.
You will receive an email (in some cases a printed page sent to your address in Brazil) with a printed image of your CPF “card” that looks like the image below.
The important part is the number, you must save and memorize this number because you’ll have to say this number many times verbally. That’s why we refer to it as a Brazil CPF number, and not a card or document.
I’ve never ever been asked to show my CPF card, your Brazil CPF number is essentially the 11 digit number that you memorize or write down somewhere that you will always be asked to give verbally.
Of course, you should also save the image of the card somewhere safe so that you don’t lose it, and if you struggle to memorize it, keep the number written down in your wallet or phone where it’s easy to access.
Or you could print the digital image of the card, cut it out and put it in your wallet.
If you have a Brazil CPF number in Brazil as a foreigner, you will rarely be asked to show your passport anymore, but it’s always good to have it on you, or at least access to a scanned digital version on your phone (like I do), just in case.
How to Use Your Brazil CPF number in Brazil?
Once you have your Brazil CPF number, you can now do many things in Brazil that you wouldn’t have been able to before.
You can open a Brazilian bank account (hallelujah), apply for a job, rent or buy property, and access certain government services. And it just makes life easier in general, not having to carry your passport around everywhere and handing over your passport to the confused attendant at the counter when you enter the building
Make sure to keep your Brazil CPF number safe, and don’t share it with anyone unless necessary. They also ask you at the checkout at grocery stores if you want to add your Brazil CPF number, this is related to tax in Brazil and all of your spending in Brazil is recorded on your individual CPF number. You don’t need to give your Brazil cpf number at store checkouts, but I usually add my Brazil CPF number to every transaction I make, because it really helps in tax return season by showing that you are spending your earned money within Brazil.
How to Get a Brazil CPF Number for Foreigners if You’re NOT in Brazil?
If you’re not currently in Brazil but need to get a CPF, you can authorize a representative in Brazil to apply for one on your behalf. Your representative will need to visit a Receita Federal office with your documents and a power of attorney authorizing them to act on your behalf. Once your CPF is issued, your representative can send you the CPF number and card if needed.
Getting a CPF as a foreigner in Brazil is a simple process that can have many benefits during your stay in the country. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to get your CPF number hassle-free and start enjoying all that Brazil has to offer. If you have any questions or need assistance with your CPF application, don’t hesitate to contact the Receita Federal or seek help from a trusted source.
For more information about the Brazilian CPF, see Meu CPF (My CPF) or Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas (Registration of Physical persons).
IMPORTANT!! Guys, please do not use free internet tools called “FREE CPF GENERATOR” or “FREE CPF VALIDATOR” – these websites generate fake CPF numbers and are for the purpose of software testing ONLY. These numbers are not affiliated with the Receita Federal do Brasil Federal Reserve of Brazil!
“This tool is intended for software developers and testers with the purpose of randomly generating fake Brazil CPF numbers, so that they can be used in system tests or demo presentations, avoiding the use and display of any real Brazil CPF number.”
I hope this guide helps you with getting your Brazil CPF number in Brazil so that you can live your life to the fullest here.
Do you have a Brazil CPF number? Did you even know about the Brazil CPF number before now? Or that you could get one as a foreigner in Brazil? Let me know your experiences and thoughts in the comments below.
And like always, If you need some help let me know. You can leave a comment or contact me via the contact page or email if you need more info or translation help.
FAQ:
What is required for Brazil CPF number?
To get your CPF Brazil for foreigners you will need your passport, a photo of your passport, an application form that you filled in online, a photo of yourself (head) holding your passport, and an email address or transport to Receita Federal office/ Embassy outside of Brazil.
Can Foreigners Get a Brazil CPF number Online?
Yes, foreigners can now get a CPF online in Brazil. The Receita Federal has introduced an online application system, which allows you to apply for a CPF from the comfort of your home. However, you’ll still need to provide the required documents and go through a verification process.
Can You Get a Brazil CPF number for Free in Brazil?
Yes, getting a Brazil CPF number is free. However, if you use a third-party service to assist you with the application process, they may charge a fee for their services. It’s recommended to apply for your CPF directly through the Receita Federal to avoid unnecessary fees.
How can I get Brazilian CPF from the UK? How can I get Brazilian CPF from the US? Can I get my CPF before I go to Brazil?
If you are not in Brazil and want to get your Brazil CPF number, you can apply using Method 1 (online + email) application. If method 1 doesn’t work, you should use method 3 (appointment + in-person Brazilian consulate).
How to buy online without a Brazil CPF number?
If you don’t have a CPF and you want to buy online in Brazil, you could use a close friend’s CPF number.
Can I open a bank account in Brazil with a Brazil CPF number?
Some Brazilian banks will allow you to open a bank account in Brazil with a CPF number and a passport, mostly virtual banks, like Nubank, Inter, or G6. Physical bank accounts, like Itau, Santander, or Bradesco, usually require a temporary or permanent residency card.
Why do you need a CPF for everything in Brazil?
Brazil has a very advanced banking and financial system, at least by my measure. The CPF is a way for the government to prevent fraud & monitor tax, spending & all financial processes within Brazil. Unfortunately, these laws didn’t seem to have tourists in mind, but that’s the way it is.
A final note
Don’t forget that you can make this process even easier and faster by downloading my Brazil CPF for Foreigners checklist (coming soon), which breaks down the steps for you even further and will help to ensure that you have a smooth and simple application process, and you’ll have your very own brazil cpf number in no time! If you need any help or have any questions, you can contact me on the contact page or in the comments below and I’ll do my best to help you.
