What do I need as a foreigner to invest in Brazil? What are the steps for the CPF?
In order to invest in Brasil you need to be issued a tax id (CPF). You can acquire it
yourself if you are personally in the country by going to a post office, showing your
passport and giving personal info as well as paying a small fee. After that you need to go to a govt office of the Receita Federal.
At which point you will show the payment slip and receive a TAX ID. With this tax ID and with a deal for an agreement you can move to the next step to formalize an agreement through a contract. We strongly urge you to always have the help of an attorney.
What are the risks of investing in Brazil?
“The risk incurred in the purchase of real estate are linked to fraud, such as the sale
of properties that are not eligible for construction or false certificates.
To reduce the risks in the negotiation, it is always important to be guided by a specialized lawyer, in addition to checking the seller’s documents and the property with the notary, banks, city hall and the environmental agencies.”*
Do I completely own a property I could buy?
Brazilian law does not impose restrictions on the purchase of urban real estate by
foreigners. However, when it comes to rural properties, foreigners can only purchase
up to 50 modules of rural exploitation; a figure that varies according to each city. **
Do I have to have a Brazilian national (partner) in order to have a registered company in Brazil?
No you do not, but you do need an administrator who is resident in Brazil to administer
the company.
Is it better to invest as an individual or to open a company?
It will depend on the profile of the foreigner. If the foreigner intends to invest in the long
term in Brazil, we recommend the opening of a company with the help of a specialized
professional, since it may improve issues tax related, facilitate the opening of a bank
account as well as the investment process as a whole. If the foreigner only wishes to purchase one specific property, the funds may be paid directly to the seller or using an intermediate bank.