Topic Hub
Business Law
By Zachariah Zagol, OAB/SP 351.356 · Updated: April 5, 2026
Starting a business, corporate governance, M&A, and compliance for foreign entrepreneurs in Brazil.
45 resourcesService Guides
In-depth guides to our business and corporate legal services.
Starting a Business in Brazil as a Foreigner: Complete 2026 Guide
Register CNPJ, form Limitada or SLU, open bank account, get digital certificate. Step-by-step guide with realistic timelines, costs, and compliance.
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Buying a Business in Brazil: Due Diligence Checklist for Foreign Buyers
Complete M&A guide for foreign buyers acquiring Brazilian companies: due diligence priorities, labor contingencies, certidões negativas, asset vs share.
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Corporate Governance for Brazilian Companies
Board structures, shareholder agreements, minority protections, family business governance, succession planning.
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LGPD Compliance — Brazil's Data Protection Law
LGPD vs. GDPR, compliance requirements, DPO appointment, data mapping, consent, penalties, cross-border transfers.
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Holding Companies & Asset Protection in Brazil
Patrimonial vs. administrative holdings, tax benefits, succession planning, piercing veil protections, SPE structures.
Read guide →Hiring Employees in Brazil: Labor Law Obligations Every Foreign Employer Must Know
CLT vs PJ vs autonomous, 13th salary, FGTS, vacation rights, termination costs, eSocial compliance. Complete labor law guide for foreign employers hiring.
Read guide →How to Get a CPF as a Foreigner (From Abroad or in Brazil): 2026 Guide
Step-by-step guide to obtaining a Brazilian CPF as a foreigner — online via Receita Federal, at a consulate, or in person in Brazil.
Read guide →How to Open a Brazilian Bank Account as a Foreigner (Resident & Non-Resident)
Complete guide to opening a bank account in Brazil as a foreigner — CPF prerequisites, resident vs non-resident accounts, digital banks vs traditional banks, required documents, and common rejection reasons.
Read guide →Intellectual Property Protection in Brazil: Trademarks, Patents & Copyrights for Foreign Businesses
Complete guide to IP protection in Brazil for foreign businesses. INPI trademark registration, Madrid Protocol, patent filing, copyright, software.
Read guide →LTDA vs S.A. vs SLU: Which Brazilian Entity Is Right for You?
LTDA vs S.A. vs SLU for foreign investors: governance, capital, shareholders, EIRELI extinction, conversion between types. Complete decision guide.
Read guide →Simples Nacional, Lucro Presumido, Lucro Real: Brazilian Tax Regime Decision Guide
Foreign-owned companies can't use Simples Nacional. Compare Lucro Presumido vs Lucro Real with Fator R mechanics, break-even analysis, annexo selection.
Read guide →Branch vs. Subsidiary vs. Rep Office in Brazil
Three ways foreign companies enter Brazil: branch (full liability), subsidiary (limited), rep office (no commerce).
Read guide →MEI vs. LTDA for Foreign Freelancers in Brazil
MEI (R$81K cap, lowest cost) vs single-owner LTDA (no cap, full flexibility). Why most foreigners need an SLU.
Read guide →Holding Company vs. Direct Ownership for Property in Brazil
Rental income: 27.5% individual vs ~14% via company. Compare tax, liability, succession, and rural land rules.
Read guide →Opening a Company vs. Using a Distributor in Brazil
Direct entry (own subsidiary) vs indirect entry (local distributor). Tax, liability, control, and legal protections.
Read guide →Joint Venture vs. Subsidiary vs. Licensing in Brazil
Three market entry strategies compared: JV (shared risk), subsidiary (full control), licensing (low investment).
Read guide →Brazil Tax Reform: Old System vs. New IBS/CBS (2026-2033)
Current ICMS/ISS/PIS/COFINS vs new dual VAT (IBS+CBS). What changes for foreign businesses. Transition timeline.
Read guide →Digital Bank vs. Traditional Bank for Foreigners in Brazil
Nubank/Inter/C6 (free, higher foreigner approval) vs Itaú/Bradesco (full service, SWIFT, may need CRNM).
Read guide →Resident vs. Non-Resident Bank Account (CDE) in Brazil
Regular account (full services, needs residency docs) vs CDE non-resident account (limited, can open remotely).
Read guide →How to Choose a Lawyer in Brazil: The Complete Guide
The definitive guide to finding, evaluating, and hiring a Brazilian lawyer as a foreigner. OAB verification, fees, red flags.
Read guide →How to Verify a Brazilian Lawyer's Credentials in 5 Steps
Step-by-step: use OAB's ConfirmADV tool, check disciplinary history, verify specialization. 1,600+ fake lawyer complaints in SP.
Read guide →10 Red Flags When Hiring a Lawyer in Brazil
From guaranteed outcomes to disappearing after payment: 10 warning signs every foreigner should know before hiring.
Read guide →How Much Does a Lawyer Cost in Brazil? Fee Guide
Real fee ranges by practice area: immigration R$3-15K, real estate R$5-20K, business R$8-30K. Plus hidden costs to expect.
Read guide →Lawyer vs. Immigration Consultant in Brazil
Despachantes and consultants can help with immigration in Brazil. But they can't represent you in court if denied.
Read guide →7 Questions to Ask Before Signing a Fee Agreement
Brazilian law requires a written fee agreement. Here are 7 questions to ask before you sign one with any lawyer.
Read guide →How to Evaluate a Lawyer's English Fluency in Brazil
The #1 expat complaint: lawyers who claim English fluency but can't handle legal communication. How to test it.
Read guide →What to Do If Your Brazilian Lawyer Isn't Performing
Normal Brazilian timelines vs actual underperformance. Your rights, how to file OAB complaints, and switching lawyers.
Read guide →Boutique Firm vs. Full-Service Firm in Brazil
Solo practitioner, boutique expat firm, big Brazilian firm, or international firm? What each offers and costs.
Read guide →How to Choose a Business Lawyer for Company Formation
LTDA formation, CNPJ, tax regime, municipal licenses. 60-90 days for foreign-owned entities. What your lawyer handles.
Read guide →Do You Need a Lawyer to Open a Company in Brazil?
Accountants can register companies. But foreigners face extra requirements: legal rep, Central Bank, visa coordination.
Read guide →6 Questions About Your Brazilian Business Structure
LTDA vs S.A., capital requirements, foreign shareholder rules, legal rep requirement. Questions to test your lawyer.
Read guide →Choosing a Lawyer for Foreign Investment Compliance
BACEN registration, transfer pricing, LGPD, anti-corruption. Does your lawyer have real cross-border experience?
Read guide →Employment Contract Checklist: What Your Lawyer Should Cover
CLT compliance, 13th salary, FGTS, CLT vs PJ risks. First-time employers in Brazil need this checklist.
Read guide →Choosing a Lawyer for Cross-Border Contracts in Brazil
Choice-of-law, international arbitration, FX controls. Your contract lawyer needs LINDB and ICC experience.
Read guide →Blog Posts
Articles and analysis on business law topics.
Brazilian Company vs US LLC: Legal Comparison
Complete comparison between Brazilian company (LTDA) and American LLC. Taxation, liability, costs, regulatory burden, and which one to choose.
Corporate Governance for SMEs in Brazil: Guide
Complete guide to corporate governance for small and medium businesses in Brazil. Board structure, compliance, family businesses, and best practices.
Mergers and Acquisitions in Brazil: Legal Guide
Complete guide to M&A in Brazil. Asset vs share deal, CADE regulatory approval, tax implications, SPA structure, reps and warranties explained.
Shareholder Agreement in Brazil: Essential Clauses
Complete guide to shareholder agreements in Brazil. Tag-along, drag-along, non-compete, deadlock resolution, valuation, exit, and vesting.
Judicial Recovery vs Bankruptcy in Brazil: Guide
Comparative guide between judicial recovery and bankruptcy in Brazil. Law 11,101/2005, eligibility, process, creditor classes, and effects.
LGPD Compliance Guide for Businesses in Brazil
Complete LGPD compliance guide for businesses. Key requirements, DPO, legal bases, sanctions up to 2% revenue, ROPA, DPIA, cookies, and consent.
Business Due Diligence in Brazil: Complete Guide
Complete guide to business due diligence in Brazil. Legal, financial, tax, labor, and environmental checklists for acquisitions and investments.
How to Open a Business in Brazil as a Foreigner
Guide to registering a company in Brazil with foreign capital. From CPF to CNPJ, RDE-IED, company types, costs, and timeline.
Franchise Agreement in Brazil: Complete Legal Guide
Complete guide to franchise contracts in Brazil. Law 13,966/19, COF disclosure, royalties, territory, termination, and INPI registration explained.
Family Holding Company in Brazil: Asset Protection
Complete guide to family holding companies in Brazil. Tax benefits, asset protection, ITCMD savings, governance, and succession planning explained.
How to Start a Business in Brazil as a Foreigner
Complete guide for foreigners starting a business in Brazil. Entity types, CNPJ registration, costs, timeline, and legal requirements explained.