Set up a Limited Liability Company in Brazil
Entrepreneurs from abroad can set up limited liability companies with complete support and guidance from our team of company formation agents in Brazil.
Local and foreign investors can easily set up a limited liability company in Brazil in 2026 with the help of our local incorporation specialists.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Best used for | Small and medium business ventures. |
Minimum capital | No minimum corporate capital. |
Minimum number of shareholders | 1 or more partners (single-member Ltda allowed) |
| Shareholder liability | Limited to their paid-in capital. |
| Residency requirements for foreign investors | No |
| Full foreign ownership permitted (Yes/No) | Yes |
| Company name requirements | Includes the denomination Ltda or Limitada; cannot infringe other existing company names. |
| Registered office requirement | Local address in Brazil |
| Main registration documents | The Articles of Association/Bylaws, the partner’s identification documents, filled-in registration application form. |
| Registration requirements | Companies are registered with the Board of Trade (Junta Comercial). |
| Licenses and permits | Industry-specific |
| Annual filing | Annual account reports published in accordance with the applicable accounting principles. |
| Corporate tax rate | 15% (34% when taking into account the 10% surtax and the 9% CSLL) |
| Other taxes for companies | State VAT, the federal excise tax, the municipal tax, federal social contributions, social security contributions. |
| Tax incentives | Tax relief for qualifying research and development and information technology projects. |
What are the characteristics of the limited liability company in Brazil?
The limited liability company is one of the most commonly used business forms by investors who open a company in Brazil. It has the following key traits:
- Suitable for small, medium, or large businesses, including startups;
- It has a capital divided into quotas; however, the law does not prescribe a statutory minimum capital amount;
- It must have at least one shareholder and can be fully foreign-owned.
Who can open an LLC in Brazil?
There are no limitations on nationality for foreign investors interested in setting up a limited liability company in Brazil.
What are the general steps for company formation in Brazil in 2026?
Investors who set up a limited liability company in Brazil follow the general steps listed below by our team:
- Decide the shareholding structure (if the founders will be natural or legal persons);
- Prepare the shareholder’s documents: for individuals, these include a passport copy, personal information, and a power of attorney. When the shareholder is another legal entity, its incorporation documents and a power of attorney are required;
- For individuals: obtain the taxpayer identification number in Brazil (the CPF number, which is mandatory for those who engage in any type of financial transactions in the country);
- Prepare the incorporation documents: our team of local company formation agents assists with this step, once we receive all the aforementioned documents from the founder(s);
- Sign the rental agreement for the company headquarters;
- Open a bank account in Brazil.
How much does it cost to open a company in Brazil?
Our team offers tailored company formation packages for investors. The price for our basic package (or starting price) is USD 1,800, and it includes the following:
- Preparing the power of attorney for the foreign shareholders;
- Brazil personal tax number application assistance (if required);
- Company name check;
- Company constitutive documents drafting and vetting;
- Electronic filing and other required tax registrations;
- Tax configuration (to be determined);
- Facilitating the connection to the accounting services provider (this is mandatory for a limited liability company and it is provided as a separate, ongoing service).
How long does it take to set up a limited liability company in Brazil?
The general incorporation time is 10 days if all the documents are in order.
We are a team specializing in company formation in Brazil that can assist you when registering a limited liability company in Brazil in 2026. Please feel free to contact us for complete information.
Dr. Jamil Abdo, Attorney at Law · 2 October 2026Dr. Jamil Abdo is one of the partners of Abdo Advogados.