6 months to open a branch? You could be fully exposed.
Discover the legal trap in Brazil.
6 months to open a branch? You could be fully exposed.
Discover the legal trap in Brazil.
The structure you choose determines your liability, setup time, and freedom to operate in Brazil. The wrong choice could leave your parent company fully exposed to debt.
12
months to get government authorization for a branch office
With a branch, your foreign parent company is fully liable for any debts, lawsuits, or taxes in Brazil—no limits. One legal case can cross borders directly.
✘ Mito
Myth: A branch is just a local extension.
✓ Verdade
Reality: Your parent company bears unlimited liability for all obligations in Brazil.
Dica
For most foreigners, a Ltda subsidiary is faster (1-3 weeks), limits liability to capital, and avoids months of government authorization.
Register CNPJ in 5-15 days
Open corporate bank account
Obtain sector licenses if needed
Which is faster: branch or subsidiary?
Subsidiary: 1-3 weeks. Branch: 6-12 months plus government approval.
Secure your business with the right structure from day one.