Startups in Brazil register a company, commonly a Sociedade Limitada, get a CNPJ, then open a conta PJ. Early stage teams often pick a digital bank for no monthly maintenance fee and free instant Pix, and add corporate cards with spend controls as the team grows. Foreign founders need a Brazilian entity and usually a resident representative.
Suits Startups best
No single account suits every startup. Digital banks tend to fit early stage teams that want low cost, while card and expense platforms suit teams that need spend controls.
Typical monthly fee
From no monthly maintenance fee at several digital banks to monthly package fees at traditional banks, as of 11 March 2026. Card and transfer costs vary.
Non resident position
A foreign founder needs a Brazilian registered company with a CNPJ and usually a resident representative with a CPF and a power of attorney. Verify with the provider.
Providers that fit
Several digital providers
Fees and features as of 11 March 2026Last reviewed 11 March 2026
General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.
Startups in Brazil usually register a company, often a Sociedade Limitada, obtain a CNPJ, then open a conta PJ to keep company money separate and to receive investment. As of 11 March 2026 several digital banks offer a conta PJ with no monthly maintenance fee and free instant Pix, while card and expense platforms add corporate cards and spend controls. Compare the trade offs and confirm current terms with the provider.
What Startups in Brazil need from a business account
Startups need an account that can grow with the company. Early on that means a low cost conta PJ that opens online, free instant Pix to collect revenue, and a clear way to keep founder money separate from company money. As the team grows, the priorities shift toward corporate cards with limits for each employee, expense tracking that feeds the accounting system, and access for more than one signatory. Startups that raise money also need a clean record of inflows, since foreign investment is registered with the central bank and handled through a foreign exchange operation. Weigh the monthly cost against the card terms, transfer costs and the multi user features you actually use, as of 11 March 2026.
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Nubank
A simple conta PJ with no monthly maintenance fee and free unlimited Pix that suits early stage teams. Broad personal and business product range, though some advanced treasury features sit outside the app. Deposit protection arrangements differ, so confirm.
A digital business account with free instant Pix, a set number of free transfers each month, a card with no annual fee and a wide product range. Suits startups that want more than a payments only app. Confirm current limits and terms.
A conta PJ built around corporate cards and expense management for companies, with virtual and physical cards and per employee limits. Suits startups that need to control team spend. Deposit protection arrangements differ, so confirm.
Best for
Teams managing corporate spend
Monthly fee
Plan based, check the current schedule as of 11 March 2026
These providers accept business customers in Brazil. Fees and eligibility shown as of 11 March 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.
Once a startup is registered with a CNPJ it usually opens a conta PJ to keep company money separate from personal money, to pay a team, and to receive investment. As of 11 March 2026 several digital banks offer a conta PJ with no monthly maintenance fee. Confirm current terms with the provider.
Which account suits a startup in Brazil?
It depends on the stage. Early stage startups often choose a low cost digital conta PJ, while teams that need corporate cards and spend controls may add a card and expense platform. As of 11 March 2026 compare monthly fees, card terms, transfer costs and multi user access. Verify with the provider.
Can a foreign founded startup open an account in Brazil?
The startup must be registered in Brazil with a CNPJ, and it usually needs a Brazilian resident representative with a CPF and a power of attorney. A non resident founder generally cannot open a company account directly. Verify your situation with the provider, as of 11 March 2026.
Can a startup receive foreign investment into a Brazilian account?
Yes, foreign investment is possible, normally through a registered foreign exchange operation and central bank registration of the investment. As of 11 March 2026 a central bank rule also lets eligible companies with foreign owners hold foreign currency accounts in Brazil. Confirm the current process with the provider and your advisers.
Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 11 March 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.