Brazil has one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and is emerging as a fiscally attractive place for starting, relocating, or expanding business.
Significant trade between key economies and being a prominent producer of many day-to-day products boosts the appeal of starting a business in Brazil among foreign companies and entrepreneurs.
Eight Reasons to Register a Company in Brazil
- Bigger global market: Brazil is the biggest economy in South America, with over 215 million people. That’s a massive consumer base with growing purchasing power, making it a great market for businesses.
- Brazil permanent residency: Foreign investors and entrepreneurs can set up a new business in Brazil and qualify for the Brazil Investor Visa, which gives business investors permanent residence permits.
- Strong agriculture and natural resources: Brazil is a global leader in agriculture, mining, and energy. It is also the world’s top exporter of soybeans, coffee, beef, and iron ore. If you are in agribusiness, food production, or commodities, Brazil is a goldmine.
- Growing digital and tech scene: Brazil has a fast-growing tech startup ecosystem, especially in fintech, e-commerce, and digital services. Cities like São Paulo and Florianópolis are becoming innovation hubs with great investment potential.
- Government incentives and Free Trade Zones: Several tax incentives allow businesses in strategic sectors like technology, manufacturing, and renewable energy lower their taxes when operating in specific regions. Special economic zones like the Manaus Free Trade Zone offer tax reductions and import duty exemptions.
- Skilled workforce: Brazil has a large, young, and increasingly educated workforce, particularly in engineering, IT, and manufacturing. The country produces thousands of graduates annually in key fields that support business growth.
- Strong regional trade position: As a member of MERCOSUR, Brazil provides access to a broader South American market with reduced trade barriers. This makes it an excellent base for expanding into neighboring countries like Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
- Opportunities in renewable energy: Brazil is a global leader in biofuels, hydropower, and solar energy. If you’re in the green energy sector, there are vast opportunities to develop and invest in sustainable solutions.
Business Opportunities in Brazil
Agribusiness and food production
Brazil is the biggest agricultural producer in the world, and agribusiness is booming.
Potential businesses:
- Export soybeans, coffee, beef or sugar
- Organic farming & sustainable agriculture
- Agri-tech (drones, automation, smart farming)
- Food processing and packaging
Renewable energy
Brazil is a clean energy leader focusing strongly on hydropower, biofuels, and solar energy.
Potential businesses:
- Solar and wind energy farms
- Biofuel production (ethanol and biodiesel)
- Energy efficiency and consulting
- Waste management and recycling solutions
E-commerce and digital services
Brazil dominates the e-commerce market in Latin America, and online business is very profitable.
Potential businesses:
- Dropshipping and online stores
- Digital marketing and social media management
- Mobile app development
- Fintech (online payments, lending platforms)
Manufacturing and exporting
Brazil sits at the top of manufacturing in South America, with the countries 200 million pluss population offering opportunities for production and export.
Potential businesses:
- Automotive parts and assembly
- Textile and fashion manufacturing
- Electronics and consumer goods production
- Exporting Brazilian-made products to international markets
Education and online learning
Foreign investors have been profiting off education businesses, both online and offline, with demand for English learning and career growth.
Potential businesses:
- English language schools and tutoring services
- Online courses and e-learning platforms
- IT and coding boot camps
- Corporate training and business coaching
Franchise and retail expansion
Brazil is a top market for international franchises, particularly in food, fashion, and fitness.
Potential businesses:
- Fast-food and casual dining franchises
- Coffee shops and bakery chains
- Fitness and wellness franchises
- Retail and fashion brand expansion
Fintech and banking solutions
Brazil is a leader in financial technology (fintech), with banking, lending, and payment business opportunities.
Potential businesses:
- Digital banking and payment platforms
- Cryptocurrency and blockchain services
- Microfinance and lending solutions
Property and construction
With urbanization and housing demand growing in Brazil, real estate and infrastructure development are on the rise.
Potential businesses:
- Residential and commercial real estate investments
- Smart cities and sustainable housing
- Prefabricated and modular housing
- Real estate tech (property management platforms)
Tourism and hospitality
Brazil is all about beaches, the Amazon, and the Carnival, receiving millions of tourists annually, so tourism is a great business to get into in Brazil.
Potential businesses:
- Eco-tourism and adventure travel
- Luxury accommodations like high-end resorts and boutique hotels
- Online travel agencies and hands-on tourism
- Food tourism (Brazilian culinary experiences)
Health and beauty industry
Brazil has a booming health and beauty scene, with large Brands like SmartFit. There’s a strong demand for fitness and wellness.
Potential businesses:
- Private medical centers and medical tourism
- Fitness centers, yoga studios, and wellness retreats
- Organic and natural beauty products
- Telemedicine and digital health platforms
Where to start a business in Brazil?
São Paulo: São Paulo is the economic and financial capital of Brazil, hosting the largest tech, finance, and startup ecosystem in not just Brazil but Latin America.
Opportunities include fintech and banking, ecommerce, and manufacturing and exports. Areas such as Avenida Paulista, Vila Olímpia, and Itaim Bibi host many of the headquarters of Brazil’s biggest companies and are popular among startups.
Rio de Janeiro: One of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, Rio de Janeiro receivs millions of foreign tourists annually. With one of the Seven Wonders of the World and numerous tourist attractions, the tourism and hospitality industry offers immense potential for success when executed well.
From Copacabana’s lively beachfront to Santa Teresa’s artistic vibe, these prime locations offer excellent prospects for high-end accommodations and specialty restaurants.
Belo Horizonte: Known as the “Silicon Valley of Brazil” due to its fast-growing tech industry, investors drawn to the most popular cities like Rio and São Paulo often shift their focus to Belo Horizonte once they discover its promising opportunities. Startup hubs in the city include Savassi, Funcionários, and Lourdes.
Curitiba: Curitiba is slowly building a reputation as a model city for urban planning, sustainability, and manufacturing. Green energy and sustainability businesses are on the rise. Locations like Cidade Industrial de Curitiba (CIC) have become South Brazil’s industrial and logistics hub, whereas Batel and Centro have established finance sectors.
Florianópolis: If you look for the best places to live in Brazil for digital nomads, Florianópolis often tops the list. This island city is a growing tech hub and attracts digital entrepreneurs from Brazil and foreigners with a Brazil Digital Nomad Visa.
Neighborhoods like Campeche and Lagoa da Conceição feature many coworking spaces, startups, and digital nomads.
Manaus: Manaus’s Manufacturing and Free Trade Zone (Zona Franca de Manaus) benefits make it the ideal location to capitalize on manufacturer tax incentives.
The city is home to businesses responsible for electronics and appliance manufacturing, as well as automotive and industrial production.
Brasilia: Brasilia has the best infrastructure in the country, with a government-driven economy making it the ideal place to start a business in Brazil.
As the political and administrative center of the country, it offers unique opportunities for businesses involved in government contracts, consulting, and corporate services. The city has a well-planned urban layout with modern infrastructure, making logistics and operations more efficient.
How to Open a Business in Brazil
- Obtain residency: Only citizens and residence permit holders can start a business in Brazil. The Brazil Investor Visa (VIPER) allows foreign nationals to gain permanent residency through starting a business in the country.
- Choose your business structure: Select the most suitable legal entity. Common types in Brazil include empresário individual (sole proprietorship)
- Sociedade Limitada (Limited Liability Company), Sociedade Anônima (large corporation, and Microempreendedor Individual (simplified structure for small entrepreneurs with limited revenue).
- Obtain a CNPJ (Company Registration Number): Register your business with the Receita Federal do Brasil (RFB) to get a CNPJ (Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica), which is equivalent to a tax identification number for a business. This can be done online through the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service website.
- Register your business: Incorporate your business with the State Board of Trade (Junta Comercial). You must submit documents like the Articles of Incorporation (Contrato Social) and register your company with the Junta Comercial in the state where you plan to operate. You may need additional approvals if your business involves regulated industries (e.g., finance, health).
- Obtain necessary licenses and permits: Depending on your industry, you may need licenses or certifications to operate within the industry your business is in. This can be a Alvará Sanitário (Sanitary Permit) issued by Vigilância Sanitária (Sanitary Surveillance Agency) for food safety or Arrais-Amador (boat license).
- Register with tax authorities: After obtaining your CNPJ, register for the appropriate tax regimes: Simples Nacional: For small businesses; Lucro Presumido: For medium-sized businesses; Lucro Real: For large companies and financial institutions.
- Your company will also be required to register with the State Treasury (Secretaria da Fazenda – SEFAZ) for state taxes (if applicable).
- Obtain an Employer Identification Number (Cadastro Específico do INSS – CEI) for payroll taxes if hiring employees.
- Open a Business bank account: Open a corporate bank account is required to manage your business finances. Some of the top banks in Brazil include Bradesco and Banco do Santander.
- Register employees: Employers must register their employees and comply with labor laws. This requires registering with the National Institute of Social Security (INSS) and Fundo de Garantia do Tempo de Serviço (FGTS) for worker benefits.
- Issue invoices to stay compliant: Register for the Nota Fiscal Eletrônica (NF-e) system to issue electronic invoices.
Stating a Business to Get Brazil Permanent Residency
The Brazil Investor Visa (VIPER) allows foreigners to establish a business, obtain permanent residency and eventually apply for Brazil citizenship. The Investor Visa for business investments has the following requirements:
- A minimum investment of BRL 500,000 (about USD 85,000) or BRL 150,000 (about USD 25,000) for a innovative technology or science-based business.
- Employment opportunities for Brazilian citizenship.
- Involvement in day-to-day opperations.
Applying for an investor visa
- Create a business plan
- Choose the business structure
- Get approval from the National Immigration Council (Conselho Nacional de Imigração – CNI)
- Deposit the required investment capital into a Brazilian corporate bank account
- Submit the Investor Visa application and supporting documents to the Brazil’s Ministry of Justice’s National Immigration Department (Departamento de Polícia Federal).
Your trust, our priority
Have confidence in successfully incorporating a business in Brazil as a foreign national with Brazil Visa Solutions. Drawing on the extensive experience of our highly qualified Brazil immigration lawyers, we offer expert guidance to support you in establishing business operations in Brazil and obtaining residency.
Get it touch with us to book a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Registering a Business in Brazil
Can a foreigner start a business in Brazil?
Foreigners can start a business in Brazil by obtaining residency or starting a business that qualifies for the Brazil Investor Visa.
How much does it cost to start a business in Brazil?
Setting up a business in Brazil as a foreigner can cost anywhere from $3,000 to over $10,000, depending on the business and licenses need. The basic cost of $3,000 covers expenses like translation, notizarization,, and company registration.
What business is booming in Brazil?
The agribusiness is Brazil’s most booming industry as the country is the largest producer of coffee, soybeans, and sugarcane.
Is Brazil a good country to do business in?
By starting a new business or expanding an existing one in Brazil, investors and entrepreneurs access an advanced local infrastructure, ahighly-skilled workeforce, lucrative international trade opportunities, and South America’s largest consumer market.
How much is business tax in Brazil?
The corporate tax rate in Brazil is fixed at 15 percent.
Do I need a business visa for Brazil?
Whether you need a Brazilian business visa dependents on your purpose for visiting. If you’re attending a conference or negotiating a contract, you can enter without a visa or Brazil eVisa (if applicable). Other things like establishing a business require a Brazil business visa.
Why is it hard to do business in Brazil?
Many business people say it’s hard to do business in Brazil due to the country’s complex regulations for most industries and costly bureaucratic processes that hinder business progress.
What is Brazil famous for selling?
Soybeans and sugarcane are products Brazil is known for selling. Other popular items sold outside Brazil include Havaianas.
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