This is one of the most common questions we get from foreigners starting a business in Brazil: do I need a CPF or a CNPJ? The answer is both — and in a specific order. You cannot get a CNPJ without a CPF first.
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The Short Answer
CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) = individual taxpayer identification number, for persons.
CNPJ (Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica) = company taxpayer identification number, for legal entities.
If you want to open a Brazilian company, you need a CPF first. The company then receives its own CNPJ. The two numbers serve different purposes and cannot be substituted for each other.
What Is the CPF?
The CPF is issued by the Receita Federal (Brazil’s federal revenue service) to individual persons — both Brazilian citizens and foreign nationals. It’s an 11-digit number in the format XXX.XXX.XXX-XX.
Every Brazilian has a CPF from birth. Foreigners can obtain one with or without Brazilian residency — it’s available to non-residents and doesn’t affect your immigration or tax status on its own.
The CPF is required for:
- All individual financial transactions in Brazil
- Property purchases and Cartório deed registration
- Personal bank accounts at Brazilian financial institutions
- Investing in Brazilian securities on B3
- Brazilian tax filing obligations (if you become a tax resident)
- Most online services, e-commerce checkout, and administrative processes
Foreign non-residents can apply for a CPF remotely via power of attorney. Processing time from the Receita Federal is 90–120 days. For the full application process, see: How to Get a Brazilian CPF Without Traveling to Brazil.
What Is the CNPJ?
The CNPJ is issued to legal entities — corporations, LLCs (LTDAs), partnerships, NGOs, and other registered business structures in Brazil. It’s a 14-digit number in the format XX.XXX.XXX/XXXX-XX.
The CNPJ is required for:
- Opening a Brazilian business bank account
- Issuing fiscal invoices (notas fiscais) to Brazilian clients
- Contracting formally with Brazilian companies or government entities
- Employing staff in Brazil
- Operating as a registered legal entity for tax and regulatory purposes
To register a Brazilian company and receive a CNPJ, the CPFs of all partners are required. There is no path to a CNPJ for a company with foreign partners unless those partners have CPFs.
CPF vs CNPJ: Side-by-Side Comparison
| CPF | CNPJ | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued to | Individuals | Companies and legal entities |
| Issued by | Receita Federal | Receita Federal |
| Format | XXX.XXX.XXX-XX (11 digits) | XX.XXX.XXX/XXXX-XX (14 digits) |
| Can foreigners get it? | Yes — non-residents included | Yes — via a Brazilian-registered company |
| Required for real estate | Yes (individual purchase) | Yes (if purchased through a company) |
| Required for personal banking | Yes | No |
| Required to open a company | Yes — all partners must have one | This is what the company receives |
| Processing time for foreigners | 90–120 days | Days to weeks (after CPF is in place) |
Which Do You Need?
Buying property in Brazil as an individual: CPF.
Opening a personal Brazilian bank account: CPF.
Investing in Brazilian securities (B3): CPF.
Opening a Brazilian company: CPF first, then the company receives its CNPJ.
Operating an existing Brazilian company: The company’s CNPJ is used for business transactions. Your CPF is required as a named partner.
Buying property through a Brazilian company: The company uses its CNPJ — but forming the company required your CPF.
In almost every scenario where a foreigner enters Brazil’s financial system for the first time, the CPF is the starting point. The CNPJ follows, if a business structure is needed.
Can One Person Hold Both?
Yes — and this is common. A foreign national who owns property in Brazil and also operates a Brazilian company will hold a personal CPF (as an individual) and their company will have its own CNPJ (as a legal entity). These are entirely separate registrations for separate purposes. The CPF belongs to you for life; the CNPJ belongs to the company and ceases when the company is dissolved.
Getting Your Brazilian CPF
Our team processes CPF applications for non-residents entirely remotely via power of attorney. Documents needed: passport copy, identity selfie, and proof of address. Processing: 90–120 days from the Receita Federal. Cost: $297.50.
Ready to take the next step? Book a consultation call — we’ll map out the right path for your situation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can a company have a CPF?
No. The CPF is for individuals only. Companies receive a CNPJ. A sole proprietor who operates without incorporating uses their personal CPF for all business activity — but this only works for simple, low-volume situations and doesn’t confer the liability protections of a formal company structure.
Can a foreigner open a Brazilian company without living in Brazil?
Yes, in most cases. Foreign non-residents can be partners in Brazilian LTDAs (the most common company type). You will need a CPF, a valid passport, and typically a Brazilian-resident partner or legal representative who can act locally on behalf of the company. The specific requirements vary by company type and activity.
Is a CNPJ required to serve Brazilian clients from outside Brazil?
Not always. A foreign company providing services to Brazilian clients from abroad generally doesn’t need a Brazilian CNPJ — the transaction is treated as a service import. A CNPJ becomes necessary when the business has a physical presence in Brazil, employs local staff, or needs to issue Brazilian fiscal invoices (notas fiscais) to domestic clients.
How long does it take to get a CNPJ?
Once the CPFs of all partners are in place, Brazilian company registration and CNPJ issuance can typically be completed within a few days to a few weeks, depending on the company type and the state of registration. The CPF — which takes 90–120 days for non-residents — is almost always the critical path item.
Can I use a CNPJ instead of a CPF for a personal transaction?
No. A CNPJ will be rejected for individual financial transactions (personal bank accounts, property purchased in your name, individual investments). The systems that validate these transactions explicitly check for CPF format. Using the wrong number causes the transaction to be flagged or rejected.
Related Resources
- Brazilian CPF: Complete Guide for Non-Residents
- How to Get a Brazilian CPF Without Traveling to Brazil
- Brazilian CPF for Real Estate Buyers
Related: Brazil residency · Residency Comparison
