Brazil mandates passport and annual re-registration for CPF holders
How the CPF process works for foreigners today
The CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) is Brazil's lifetime taxpayer ID, required for almost any financial or administrative act in the country: bank accounts, PIX transfers, rental contracts, SIM cards, utilities and most app-based services.
Two procedural shifts matter for foreigners. Joint Ordinance COCAD/COGEA No. 53/2023 routed all applications from abroad through Brazilian consulates rather than direct submission to Receita Federal. From Jan. 1, 2026, a valid passport became the primary and effectively mandatory photo ID for CPF procedures, narrowing the older list of acceptable documents.
Receita Federal also introduced a mandatory annual re-registration for CPF holders who live abroad, in effect since 2025 and handled online through Receita's systems or app.
Who needs one
Tourists don't legally need a CPF to visit, though one is routinely requested for local bank accounts, PIX, postpaid mobile plans and some prepaid SIM activations.
Digital nomads on medium stays feel the change most directly. Landlords, internet providers, mobile carriers, financial apps and some coworking spaces ask for a CPF at signup. Brazil's new Digital Nomad Residence holders fall squarely in this group.
Expats working formally, paying taxes, buying property or opening full-service bank accounts must hold a CPF. So must foreign owners of Brazilian real estate or company shares, even those who rarely set foot in the country.
Applying from abroad or inside Brazil
Applicants outside Brazil follow the consular route:
- Generate the FCPF protocol on Receita Federal's foreigner page, available in English, Portuguese and Spanish.
- Register on the e-Consular platform and select CPF registration for foreigners.
- Book an in-person appointment, bringing original passport, birth certificate where required and proof of address abroad.
- Sign the FCPF at the consulate. Most posts issue the number the same day or within a few business days. Consular guidance lists CPF issuance as free.
Inside Brazil, Receita Federal offices, Banco do Brasil and Caixa branches, Correios post offices and some civil registry notaries process applications on the spot with a passport and Brazilian proof of address. A small agent fee applies and the CPF number is typically printed on a receipt immediately.
Read our full Brazil guide for the complete picture and follow ongoing visa updates for changes.
Frequently asked questions
Do digital nomads need a CPF in Brazil?
How do foreigners apply for a CPF from abroad?
What documents do foreigners need for CPF registration at a consulate?
How long does it take to get a CPF through a Brazilian consulate?
Can I get a CPF inside Brazil instead of abroad?
Do CPF holders living abroad need to re-register every year?
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