What is a CPF?

CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) is Brazil's individual taxpayer registration number, issued by the Receita Federal (Brazil's federal tax authority). It's an 11-digit number that works like a US Social Security Number for financial and administrative purposes — banks, retailers, landlords and government agencies all use it to identify a person in their systems.

Brazilians use their CPF constantly, which is why so many everyday services — from a phone plan to an airline website — have a CPF field baked into their checkout, even when it isn't strictly required by law for that transaction.

Do tourists actually need a CPF?

No. You do not need a CPF to enter Brazil, get a tourist visa or visa-free entry stamp, or to travel around the country. A CPF is not an immigration document — it's a tax registration.

That said, you'll likely run into a CPF field if you try to do any of the following as a visitor:

Open a Brazilian bank account or a Brazil-based digital wallet.
Buy or rent real estate in Brazil.
Sign up for certain financial products, investments, or a local phone contract (not prepaid).
Check out on some Brazilian e-commerce sites, even for a small purchase.
Buy tickets on some airline, bus or event platforms that assume every buyer is a CPF holder.

If none of that applies to your trip, you can likely visit Brazil from start to finish without ever requesting a CPF.

When it's actually worth getting one

If you're staying for an extended period, plan to work or study formally, want a Brazilian bank account, or are buying property, get a CPF — it will save you friction on almost everything else. For a one- or two-week vacation, it's usually unnecessary.

How to get a CPF as a foreigner

Option 1 — Before you travel, at a Brazilian consulate

Foreigners who don't yet live in Brazil can request a CPF through a Brazilian consulate or embassy in their home country, either in person or, in many cases, by submitting the request form and documents (ID with photo and a selfie holding the ID) by email to the consulate's CPF service. This route is free of charge as an official Receita Federal service, and it means you land in Brazil with the number already active.

Option 2 — In Brazil, in person

Once in Brazil, you can request a CPF at a Receita Federal service point, which is often located inside branches of Banco do Brasil, Caixa Econômica Federal, or some post offices (Correios). Bring your passport. In-person registration is typically processed the same day and is free at the federal level (some states charge a small optional fee for a physical CPF card, roughly R$20–40).

Option 3 — Online, through gov.br

The Receita Federal's online portal accepts CPF registration for eligible applicants who can submit scanned documents electronically. This route tends to take longer to process than an in-person visit, so it isn't ideal if you need the number quickly.

What you'll need

A valid passport.
A recent photo / selfie holding your passport open (for remote or online requests).
Proof of address in some cases — check with the specific consulate or service point, since requirements vary.

Common mistakes to avoid: don't start large bank transactions in the first 48 hours after getting a CPF (some banks apply a short security hold on brand-new registrations), don't use a fake or outdated address on any proof-of-address document (Receita Federal cross-checks this data), and keep your registration receipt somewhere safe — you'll want the number on hand for future paperwork.