How bank cards in Brazilian reais (BRL) work
Bank cards in Brazilian reais (BRL) have long expanded beyond Brazil and are increasingly used by individuals and companies for settlements even outside the country.
Development of cashless payments in Brazil
In modern Brazil, the share of cash payments is decreasing while the number of cashless transactions is growing, though not as rapidly as in developed countries. Over the past ten years, the share of cashless payments, including bank cards in Brazilian reais (BRL), has increased by only 12%. Bank cards in Brazilian reais (BRL) issued by Visa, Mastercard, and the national payment system Elo are particularly popular.
At the same time, according to IMARC Group research, in 2025, the number of instant cashless payments in Brazil reached nearly 6 billion transactions. Credit and debit bank cards dominate in payments. According to experts' forecasts, by 2034, the number of cashless payments in Brazil will grow to 18.5 billion transactions.
Debit and credit bank cards in Brazilian reais (BRL) are issued by major Brazilian banks such as:
- Nubank;
- Santander;
- Caixa Econômica Federal;
- Banco do Brasil;
- Itaú;
- Bradesco;
- Banco Inter and others.
How to get a card in Brazilian reais (BRL)
Residents can open an account with local banks and obtain a credit or debit card in Brazilian reais (BRL) by providing the following documents:
- Passport or other identity document;
- Taxpayer identification number (CPF)*;
- Proof of income or employment;
- In some cases, proof of residential address is required.
* CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) — an individual taxpayer number in Brazil used as the primary identifier when interacting with banks, government authorities, and various commercial organizations. CPF is usually required to open a bank account, issue a card, sign contracts, conduct major financial transactions, and access certain local services.
Requirements for opening an account for non-residents, both individuals and legal entities, are stricter. For example, individuals cannot open an account in a Brazilian bank and fully use all services without a residence permit (RNM)*. Such clients will only have access to a limited range of banking services.
* RNM (Registro Nacional Migratório) — a registration document for foreign citizens in Brazil confirming their migration status and legal right to reside in the country. Having an RNM is often necessary to gain full access to banking services, including opening a full account, obtaining a card, and using a wider range of financial services.
However, some state banks, such as Caixa Econômica Federal and Banco do Brasil, allow accounts to be opened under a simplified procedure, though the list of available operations and their limits will be restricted compared to full accounts in Brazilian reais (BRL).
How to deposit and withdraw funds in Brazilian reais (BRL)
Depositing and withdrawing Brazilian reais (BRL) from a card is possible in several ways:
- Cash via ATMs;
- Transfer by bank account or card number;
- Mobile transfers;
- Interbank transfers, including TED* and DOC*;
- Using barcode vouchers such as Boleto (this method is available even without a bank account);
- Through instant payment systems such as PIX;
- Via online exchangers and electronic payment systems such as Wise or PayPal.
* TED (Transferência Eletrônica Disponível) — a type of interbank transfer in Brazil that allows funds to be sent between accounts in different banks, usually credited on the same day if processed during business hours. This method is traditionally used for more urgent payments and is generally not used for very small everyday amounts.
* DOC (Documento de Ordem de Crédito) — a type of bank transfer in Brazil where funds are usually credited to the recipient on the next business day. This method has been used for transferring money between banks within a set transaction limit and has long been one of the standard tools for cashless payments.
The last method involves currency conversion; however, it allows depositing and withdrawing Brazilian reais (BRL) even if they are not currently held. In addition, this method is available to non-residents without a bank account.
When choosing deposit and withdrawal methods, it is important to consider transaction fees and limits. For example, the maximum transfer amount via DOC is 5,000 Brazilian reais (approximately $1,000), while cash withdrawals from ATMs of some banks, such as Banco do Brasil, may be limited to 500 reais (about $100).
Features of bank cards in Brazilian reais (BRL)
A limited number of Brazilian banks allow non-residents to open accounts even without a residence permit; however, such accounts may be quickly blocked during verification.
In addition to traditional plastic cards in Brazilian reais (BRL), virtual and prepaid cards are also available in Brazil and are frequently used for purchases. Virtual cards can be linked to digital wallets and obtained through a simplified process, but they may have restrictions on certain online payments and ATM cash withdrawals.
Credit cards in Brazilian reais (BRL) may require a deposit equal to the card's credit limit. It is also possible to pay with foreign multi-currency cards in Brazil, though additional fees may apply.