The honest answer has two parts: the time it takes to prepare documents in your country, and the time it takes in Brazil once they arrive. The second part is the one we control, and it is shorter than most investors expect. For the full process, with every step, the 2026 government fees and the documents, see our guide on how to open a company in Brazil.
In brief
- In Brazil
- 15 to 30 days to operate
- Abroad
- Days to weeks, by country
- Adds time
- Specific licenses
- Travel needed
- None
- Once the apostilled documents arrive in Brazil, the company is typically ready to operate within 15 to 30 days.
- The preparation abroad depends on the country: apostille countries are faster than countries that require consular legalization.
- Regulated, industrial and import activities may need licenses that add time.
- Starting the CPF or CNPJ and the power of attorney in parallel saves weeks.
The timeline at a glance
From the first document to a company ready to operate
- AbroadCPF or CNPJ for foreign partners
- AbroadDocuments signed and apostilled
- In BrazilTranslation and articles
- In BrazilJunta Comercial and CNPJ
- In BrazilRegistrations and permits
Phase 1: documents abroad
Before anything is filed in Brazil, each foreign partner needs a Brazilian tax number (CPF for individuals, CNPJ for companies), and the corporate documents must be signed, notarized and certified in the country where they are issued.
- Countries in the Apostille Convention, such as the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, mainland China and Canada, issue an apostille locally. This often takes a few days.
- Countries outside the Convention require consular legalization at the Brazilian consulate, which usually takes longer and depends on appointments.
Our guide to apostille and sworn translation lists the documents and the status by country.
Phase 2: registration in Brazil
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Translation | Sworn translation of foreign documents, or bilingual documents prepared from the start |
| Articles | Articles of association drafted in Portuguese, with activity codes chosen for your operation |
| Junta Comercial | Filing at the state Board of Trade, which issues the NIRE, followed by the CNPJ |
| Registrations | Municipal registration and, when required, state registration |
| Permits | Operating permit and sector licenses when the activity requires them |
Once the apostilled documents arrive in Brazil, our team typically has the company ready to operate within 15 to 30 days. The corporate bank account and the registration of the capital with the Central Bank follow, on timelines that depend on the bank’s compliance process.
What makes it faster or slower
| Factor | Faster | Slower |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing country | Apostille country | Consular legalization |
| Activity | Services and technology | Industry, imports, regulated sectors |
| Partners | One partner | Several foreign partners or layered groups |
| Documents | Bilingual drafts, matching names | Translations of long documents, inconsistent data |
| Location | Address ready, permit-friendly zoning | Address pending or zoning restrictions |
How to save time
Start the tax numbers early
Request the CPF or CNPJ of foreign partners while the corporate documents are being prepared.
Use bilingual drafts
Prepare the power of attorney and resolutions in English and Portuguese side by side to avoid separate translations.
Check names and numbers
Make sure names, passport numbers and company names match on every document.
Define the activity and address
Activity codes and the registered address drive licensing. Deciding them early avoids rework.
Use our Brazil Entry Planner to see the estimated timeline for your profile in one minute.
Questions investors ask
How long does it take to open a company in Brazil?
Typically 15 to 30 days from the moment the apostilled documents arrive in Brazil until the company is ready to operate. Preparing documents abroad and specific licenses can add time.
Do I need to travel to Brazil?
No. With an apostilled power of attorney, a resident attorney signs and files everything on your behalf, and many documents can be signed digitally.
What usually causes delays?
Consular legalization in countries outside the Apostille Convention, inconsistent data across documents, and activities that need specific licenses.
When can the company open a bank account?
After the CNPJ is issued. The timing depends on the bank’s compliance process for companies with foreign partners.
