Opening a company in Brazil requires going through several phases. One of the last and most important is applying for business permits and trade licenses in Brazil, depending on the activities to be completed.
Below, you will find explained the procedure for obtaining business licenses in Brazil, in accordance with your operations. Our lawyers in Brazil will be there to assist in applying for one.
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Types of business permits in Brazil
Brazilian business licenses can be categorized into:
- general licenses;
- industry-specific permits, such as Brazilian trade licenses for commercial activities.
Quick Facts | |
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Business licensing regulations |
– Company Act, – specific laws applied to various industries. |
Availability of business licenses for companies in Brazil (YES/NO) |
Yes, companies can file for various types of permits. |
Possibility to obtain a business permit as a natural person (YES/NO) |
Yes, individuals can also carry out licensed activities. |
Special licensing requirements for foreign companies (if any) | Foreign companies can file for various types of business licenses, just like local enterprises. |
Special licensing conditions for foreign citizens (if any) |
Foreign citizens must obtain Brazilian residence permits and have their diplomas translated, authorized, and recognized by local professional bodies. |
Types of business permits in Brazil |
General and industry-based licenses. |
Authorities that issue business/trade licenses in Brazil |
Business permits can be issued by local or governmental authorities in Brazil. |
Types of general business licenses |
– operational licenses, – fire safety certificates. |
Special business permits |
– financial licenses, – healthcare-related permits, – pharmaceutical authorizations, – telecommunications licenses. |
Activities that require a professional business license |
– accounting, – engineering, – architecture, – hairdressing, etc. |
Documents for obtaining a business permit |
– Articles of Association for companies, -residence permits for individuals, – details about the activities to be completed. |
Business licensing restrictions (if any) |
Foreign companies cannot obtain full operational rights in TV and broadcasting, publishing, healthcare, air and road transportation, security services. |
Timeframe for business license issuance |
The time frame to obtain a business license depends from industry to industry. |
Business permit validity |
Each type of permit has its own validity period and renewal conditions. |
Support in filing for business/trade licenses in Brazil (YES/NO) | Yes. |
General business permits are those required to operate a company, no matter its field of activity. They are:
- the operational license, which is a permit you need to obtain from the local municipality;
- the certificate issued by the local Fire Department, which attests that the location you use complies with the fire safety requirements.
These business licenses and permits must be obtained by most companies in Brazil. Our Brazilian law firm can inform you about the documents you need to prepare when filing for them.
Specific business permits in Brazil
Certain activities are highly regulated. Apart from the dedicated legislation, there are also specific authorities handling their licensing requests.
Here are some of the specific business licenses available in Brazil:
- financial licenses, required for banks, insurance companies, and investment funds;
- healthcare permits, available for hospitals and clinics;
- telecommunications business licenses that cover both radio and television operations;
- pharmaceutical permits that need to be obtained for both producing and selling various medical goods and products.
Please note that in some industries, restrictions apply with respect to the possibility of obtaining certain business permits and licenses in Brazil. This is the case of:
- radio and TV broadcasting;
- publishing;
- air and road transportation;
- healthcare;
- provision of security services.
If you want to open a company in one of these sectors, you must apply for residency in Brazil and then wait until you qualify for Brazilian citizenship.
How to obtain a business license in Brazil
The licensing phase is usually the last when it comes to starting a business in Brazil. In order to obtain a trade license, you should research the legislation applicable to your domain. At this stage, you can rely on our lawyers in Brazil who can guide you. Then, you must prepare a set of documents, as imposed by the issuing authority.
Generally speaking, the following papers are required:
- the company’s Articles of Incorporation or Trade Certificate issued by the Companies Register;
- details about the activities to be completed;
- the operational license issued by the municipality which attests to your company complying with zonal regulations.
For certain activities, such as those related to financial operations, specific share capital requirements usually apply, along with drafting special paperwork. Among the documents needed in such cases, we remind you about the prospectus, the Anti-money laundering, and Know-Your-Client regulations. You don’t need to worry about not complying with them, as our lawyers can help you.
Economic projections for the Brazilian economy
If you are interested in setting up a business in Brazil, here is some good news about its economy:
- the Ministry of Finance expects a Gross Domestic Product rise of 3.2% in 2024;
- for 2025, the economy is projected to grow by 2.5%;
- inflation is also predicted to be slightly higher next year, 3.4% from the last prediction in July, when it was said to be 3.3%.
If you want to establish a company and need to obtain a Brazilian business permit or trade license, do not hesitate to contact us for support.