How to register a business in Brazil (2026)

The simplest route is to become an MEI (individual micro-entrepreneur): free, instant online registration on the Portal do Empreendedor with a gov.br account, as long as turnover stays under R$81,000 a year (2026). To grow or take partners, set up an LTDA (or a single-member SLU) through Redesim and your state's Junta Comercial.

Checked on 2026-10-28. Rules change: confirm with the official office before paying.

Where to register

Portal do Empreendedor (MEI) et Redesim – gov.br

Which legal form to choose

MEI (Microempreendedor Individual)

For whom	Solo self-employed person in an activity on the official list, turnover ≤ R$81,000/year in 2026 (R$251,600 for MEI road hauliers), no partners or other company, 1 employee max (a rise to 2 has been announced: check with the one-stop shop)
Capital	None
Liability	Unlimited: the MEI answers for debts with all personal assets
Tax	Simples Nacional (SIMEI): flat monthly DAS-MEI of R$82.05 to R$87.05 in 2026

Empresário Individual (ME/EPP)

For whom	Sole entrepreneur who exceeds MEI limits or runs an activity not allowed for MEI, no cap on employees
Capital	No legal minimum
Liability	Unlimited: all personal assets are at stake
Tax	Optional Simples Nacional (ME ≤ R$360,000, EPP ≤ R$4,800,000/year), otherwise Lucro Presumido or Lucro Real

Sociedade Limitada (LTDA) or SLU (single member)

For whom	Brazil's most common company form: alone (SLU) or with partners, from small to large businesses
Capital	No legal minimum (amount freely set in the articles)
Liability	Limited to the value of the shares; personal assets are kept separate
Tax	Simples Nacional if ME/EPP (≤ R$4,800,000/year), otherwise Lucro Presumido or Lucro Real

The steps

Check that your activity is on the MEI list and that expected turnover stays ≤ R$81,000 a year (2026).
Create a gov.br account or upgrade it to silver (prata) or gold (ouro) level; bronze is enough for foreigners.
On the Portal do Empreendedor, choose "Quero ser MEI" then "Formalize-se".
Fill in the form (activity, address, contacts), tick the declarations and submit: you get your CNPJ instantly.
Download your CCMEI certificate and check with your city hall which licences (alvará) your premises need.
Pay the DAS-MEI every month by the 20th (PGMEI or MEI app) and file the annual DASN-SIMEI return.
For an LTDA/SLU: prior feasibility check on Redesim, articles of association, Junta Comercial registration, opt into Simples Nacional when getting the CNPJ.

Documents

gov.br account at silver or gold level (bronze for foreigners)
ID card (RG) and CPF number
Contact details and address
Description of the activity: type, way of operating and location
Foreigners: CRNM card, provisional document or refugee application receipt issued by the Federal Police
LTDA/SLU: signed articles of association (contrato social: name, purpose, capital, shares, manager, address)
LTDA/SLU: approved prior feasibility check (name and address)

How much it costs

MEI registration is free on the gov.br portal (2026). For an Empresário Individual or LTDA/SLU: registration fees follow each state's Junta Comercial price table, plus municipal licence fees: amounts to be checked with the one-stop shop. Also budget for an accountant's fees if you use one.

How long it takes

MEI: instant, online 24/7. Companies via Redesim: 22 hours on average, with 74.2% opened in under a day (Mapa de Empresas, September 2026). Municipal licences can take longer depending on the activity.

Taxes

MEI in 2026: fixed monthly DAS of R$81.05 (INSS) + R$1 ICMS (trade/industry) and/or R$5 ISS (services), i.e. R$82.05 to R$87.05, due on the 20th. ME/EPP under Simples Nacional: one monthly DAS covering IRPJ, CSLL, PIS, Cofins, IPI, ICMS, ISS and CPP, at rates set by activity and turnover.

Social security

MEI: the INSS contribution (5% of the minimum wage, R$81.05/month in 2026) is included in the DAS and, if up to date, gives access to age pension, sickness benefit, maternity pay and survivor's pension. Companies: 11% INSS on managers' pró-labore; employees must be formally registered (carteira assinada).

Support and funding

Sebrae — All aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses: guidance, training and advice, largely free
BNDES Microcrédito Empreendedor — Formal or informal micro-entrepreneurs with income ≤ R$360,000/year: microcredit through partner agents
Procred 360 — MEIs and micro-enterprises ≤ R$360,000/year: credit at federal public banks, maximum rate Selic + 5%/year

Find a professional (official directories)

Watch out

MEI registration is free only on gov.br websites: beware of paid sites and fake DAS payment slips. Do not exceed R$81,000/year: up to R$97,200 you pay an extra DAS and become an ME the next year; beyond that, exclusion is backdated. The proposed higher ceiling (PLP 186/2026) is not yet in force.

Business ideas for Brazil

Mundyo shows you the ideas that work in Brazil, with amounts in BRL.

See the numbers for my country