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Banking in Brazil

Best banks in Brazil for expats & digital nomads

Opening a bank account is one of the first things you do after moving to Brazil. Here are the accounts that work for newcomers and non-residents, plus the fintech we would set up before you fly.

How to open a bank account in Brazil

A CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas, the tax/ID number from Receita Federal) is mandatory to open any Brazilian account and can be obtained online or at a Brazilian consulate abroad. Digital banks (Nubank, C6, Inter) open fully online with just a CPF, a valid passport/ID and a Brazilian address, while traditional banks (Itaú, Bradesco, Banco do Brasil, Caixa) generally also require a CRNM residency card and an in-person branch visit.

Our top pick

Wise multi-currency account

Wise is the option we recommend for almost anyone moving to Brazil: hold and convert 40+ currencies, get local account details to be paid like a local, and send money at the real exchange rate with low, transparent fees. It works before you even arrive, so you can receive income and pay deposits while your local account is still being set up.

Open a free Wise account →

Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Wise is a fintech, not a bank; balances are safeguarded, not covered by deposit insurance.

Top banks in Brazil

Nubank

digital
fastest, no-fee account for newcomers

Brazil's dominant digital bank (100M+ customers in the region); opens in minutes in-app with just a CPF and valid ID, no minimum balance, and includes a Pix key and debit card.

C6 Bank

digital
multi-currency travel and expat use

JPMorgan-backed digital bank with a free current account and C6 Global multi-currency (USD/EUR/GBP) sub-accounts; opens in-app with a CPF.

Banco Inter

digital
no-fee everyday digital banking

Fully app-based bank with free Pix and no monthly fees; opens online with a CPF and valid document.

Itaú Unibanco

traditional
full-service banking and broad products

Largest private bank in Brazil; wide branch network but usually requires a CRNM residency card and an in-person visit for foreigners.

Bradesco

traditional
extensive branch network

Large traditional bank; often requires a permanent visa/CRNM and in-branch verification.

Banco do Brasil

traditional
nationwide reach and government services

State-controlled universal bank with a huge branch network; requires a CRNM and in-person onboarding.

Santander Brasil

traditional
foreigners on temporary visas

International group often cited as more flexible with temporary visas than other traditional banks.

Caixa Econômica Federal

traditional
government benefits and FGTS

Federal savings bank used for government benefits and the FGTS system; requires a CRNM and in-person visit.

International accounts & neobanks

Nubank

LatAm's largest neobank and the dominant option in Brazil; app-only account with a CPF, no fees, Pix and a debit card.

Revolut

Operating in Brazil since 2023 (global account) and expanded to local BRL products in 2025 including Pix, debit cards and a reais interest account, for Brazilian tax residents.

Payoneer

Available for freelancers/businesses to receive international payments; BRL withdrawals route through a wire to a Brazilian bank.

Availability changes; confirm on each provider's site.

Next steps in Brazil

See the full Brazil tax, cost and visa profile, or compare Brazil with other destinations. Not sure where to go yet? Take the finder quiz.